If you own and use a zimmer frame with wheels and use it a lot you generally wont see much wear or tear to the frame itself but one part of it that will become worn are the wheels of the frame.

They take a fair amount of the pressure and load of the user and eventually may become so worn down that they provide a less smooth motion as the frame is moved forward and may even become a little dangerous if they’re quite old.

You can purchase replacement wheels for many zimmer frames, make sure that you purchase the correct set for the zimmer frame that you own so that they fit properly, but the replacement wheels can usually be purchased for under £10 and enable a longer life for your zimmer frame and increase safety and smooth usage for you.

When you’re out walking there are not always places where you can sit down to take a rest or seating that you do see available may sometimes be vandalised or dirty and you may be reluctant to use the provided public seating.

Having someone who is with you carry a seat of some sort for you may not be a practical option but you dont want to have to rely on public seating if you can avoid it.

There are fortunately walking sticks with seats, they come in various designs and some are more suitable to a person with mobility needs than others, but for the ones that are suitable they usually come with a design that folds out into a tripod so that you have enough support and enough of a seating area to sit down properly, providing a temporary means of resting wherever you are.

The handles are usually different from your average walking stick, often with the handle being moulded plastic and providing a different style of handle and holding of the walking stick.

They are not suitable for everyone and some people may not be comfortable with the walking stick and prefer or specifically need the use of their usual walking stick, but where an individual just needs that bit of support that a walking stick provides and also a temporary seat wherever they may be then seat and walking stick combos can be useful.

They will often be made of aluminium so that they’re strong yet lightweight enough to carry, or for a companion to carry it for you.

Prices can start from around £20 – £30, and like most options within the mobility market you can pay more depending on your requirements, the build quality of the product and the materials used.

Most people will be familiar with the look and operation of a standard walker (zimmer frame) and the basic design that they have but there is also one designed that can be moved forward one side at a time, so rather than moving the whole frame forward you move the side forward that you are taking a step with at the time, then the other side for your other foot so that you move in tandem with the walker.

You still have the benefit of the frame being lightweight enough for easy movement, and full control over the frame but with the advantage of being able to move forward one side at a time meaning that you always have a side of the frame touching the ground and giving you an added feeling of stability.

A reciprocal walker will give extra balance and stability to a user that is more unsteady on their feet and gives them the feeling that they have something secure and in place to help them balance and provides good support when they need to rest.