Staying active is crucial for seniors who use walkers, not just for mobility, but for maintaining strength and preventing falls. But finding safe, practical exercises can feel challenging.
The good news? With the proper support, a walker can become a fantastic tool for improving balance and confidence. Here are five gentle (physical therapist-approved) exercises designed specifically for walker users to build stability and independence, all while staying safely supported.
Balance Exercises for Seniors Can Prevent Falls
Exercise helps older adults stay as strong and independent as possible by improving their strength and balance.
We found a free 5-minute video in which physical therapists demonstrate five simple, safe, and effective at-home balance exercises for seniors who use a walker.
When done regularly, these exercises significantly improve strength, increase balance and stability, and reduce fall risk.
We explain why seniors who use a walker still need to improve balance, how to stay safe while exercising, and share a step-by-step guide to these five exercises.
Older Adults Who Use Walkers Need Balance Exercises
Seniors who use a walker are getting some help with balance, but it doesn’t mean they are no longer vulnerable to falls.
Data showed that every day, 129 American seniors were treated in emergency rooms for injuries caused by a fall while using a walker or cane.
This could be because seniors haven’t been fitted for or trained to use their mobility aid adequately.
But it’s also because they’re already at increased fall risk, which is why they need a mobility aid in the first place.
That’s why it’s so important for these older adults to exercise regularly to improve balance and stability.
And by using a properly secured walker as an aid, seniors get the support they need to stay safe during exercise.
Safety first! Prevent Falls While Exercising
The last thing anyone wants is for someone to fall or get hurt while they’re exercising.
For support and safety, stand close and be ready to support your older adult – be extra cautious the first few times they try these exercises.
Keep a sturdy chair nearby and have them sit and take breaks when they get tired. Let them know that they shouldn't do any exercise that causes pain.
If your older adult is especially frail or wobbly, use an inexpensive gait belt for extra safety.
Encourage them to keep doing the exercises with you at their side – they will gain strength over time.
A step-by-step guide to five balance exercises for seniors
For all exercises, your older adult should stand at their walker, holding the handles.
If the walker has brakes, make sure they’re engaged. And ask your older adult not to lean or put too much weight on the walker and cause it to slide.
If you’re concerned that the walker could roll forward, position it against a wall, couch, or similarly strong barrier to keep it from moving.
In addition, place a sturdy, non-slip chair directly behind your older adult in case they get tired or lose their balance and need to sit suddenly (as seen in the video, 1 min 10 sec).
Exercise 1 (1:22 in video)
March in place, lifting knees as high as possible. Do 10 on each leg for a total of 20 marching steps,
Exercise 2 (1:49 in video)
Lift one leg out to the side using a slow, controlled motion. Do 10 lifts on each leg, one side at a time.
To get the full benefit of the exercise, have your older adult move slowly and watch out for signs of “cheating” (1:59 in video).
VIDEO: The Top Five Exercises You Can Do With a Walker
Exercise 3 (2:24 in video)
Lift one leg straight back behind the body. Do 10 lifts on each leg, one leg at a time.
Watch out for signs of “cheating” (2:38 in video).
Exercise 4 (2:55 in video)
Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Slowly do a slight squat, being careful not to bend too low, especially at first. Do 10 squats.
As lower body strength builds over time and this exercise gets easier, slowly increase the depth of the squat.
Exercise 5 (3:35 in video)
While standing, lift heels to stand up on the toes. Then, lower your heels to return your feet to a flat position.
Next, lift toes and slowly rock back on heels. Be sure their walker is secured before they pull on it, or else they could slide and fall.
Repeat 10 times.
Practice is more important than perfection
Even if your older adult can’t do the exercises perfectly or can only do 10 repetitions, keep encouraging them to do their best and exercise regularly.
As your older adult gains strength and balance over time, they’ll be able to do more and more.
Next Step Physical therapists show how to do 5 easy and effective at home strength and balance exercises using a walker (5 min)
Recommended for you:
- Chair Yoga for Seniors: Reduce Pain and Improve Health
- 12 Easy and Gentle Seated Stretching Exercises for Seniors in 4 Minutes
- 10 Minute Easy and Effective Chair Exercises for Seniors
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About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
Exercises for older people. (Male 94). I’m deaf. Is there any audio that will prevent me from understanding the exercises correctly? Thank you for your attention.
Unfortunately since we’re not medical professionals, we can’t give advice on what will or won’t be safe for specific people. It would be best to review this with a healthcare professional to find out if these exercises are safe and appropriate for your physical abilities and current health conditions.