Prepare Surroundings

• 1). Remove anything on the floor that may cause you to fall or obstruct the walker.
  
  
• 2). Store any unneeded items.
  
  
• 3). Place needed items within reach.
  
  
• 4). Supply the bathroom with nonslip essentials and conveniences, such as bath mats, rugs, grab bars, a raised toilet seat, and shower tub seat.
  
  

Prepare Self/Others

• 1). Put on comfortable non-skid shoes or slippers and tie or fasten them securely.
  
  
• 2). Attach an item such as an apron, backpack or fanny pack to yourself in order to carry objects such as eye glasses, forks and spoons, wallets or tissue.
  
  
• 3). Ask another person to help you get acclimated to the walker by standing close-by as you navigate the first few times.
  
  

Stabilization

• 1). Place the walker one step in front of you.
  
  
• 2). Position the aide to stand in front of the walker to stabilize it as you rise from your sitting position and gain your balance.
  
  
• 3). Make sure all four legs of the walker are on the ground.
  
  
• 4). Grab the grips on the top of both sides of the walker and rise slowly until you are standing over the walker.
  
  

Ambulation

• 1). Advance the walker about one step ahead, making sure all four legs of the walker are on the ground.
  
  
• 2). Grip the top of the walker with both hands while leading with the injured leg, and walk into the walker touching the heel to the floor first.
  
  
• 3). Flatten your foot.
  
  
• 4). Lift the toes of that foot off the ground as you bring your good leg forward.
  
  

Sitting

• 1). Back up until you can feel the chair with your legs and reach back to touch the chair behind you.
  
  
• 2). Set the walker firmly in front of you, and slide the weaker leg slightly toward the walker.
  
  
• 3). Put all of your weight on the good leg and grasp the armrest of the chair firmly with one hand. Release the other hand from the walker, and ease it onto the other armrest.
  
  
• 4). Sit down slowly and slide back into the seat.