How should you assist a person with a walker to move forward?

When assisting a person with a walker to move forward, the best approach is to walk behind and on the same side of the injured leg. This positioning allows you to monitor their balance and stability more effectively while providing necessary support. By being positioned in this way, you can react quickly if they need assistance or if their walker tips or shifts unexpectedly.

Moreover, being on the same side as the injured leg helps promote a steady and secure gait, as you can assist them in shifting their weight appropriately. It also provides a clear line of sight for communication, making it easier for you to offer instructions or encouragement while they navigate forward.

Other approaches, such as walking on the same side of the stronger leg or in front to guide them, may not provide the needed level of support and could potentially lead to balance issues. Similarly, walking behind but on the opposite side of the injured leg can hinder your ability to provide effective assistance and make it difficult for the individual to maintain stability while moving.