It’s a simple design, which really hasn’t changed much in the near century since Zimmer Holdings first started making the things. Zimmer frames consist of a height adjustable frame that can be gripped by a person who requires assistance when walking: the frame is either equipped with rubber feet or wheels, depending on the degree of mobility required by the user. A non wheeled Zimmer is simply lifted forward and placed on the ground in front of the walking user: the four feet act like walking sticks, enabling him or her to lean his or her full weight on the frame with each step.
Like every really good invention, the Zimmer frame walker has made life easier for the people who use it – in most cases by orders of magnitude. Because Zimmer frames are built with four legs they are capable of taking the strain involved when moving a sitting person to standing. That means that users of Zimmers are granted almost total mobility without needing help from an additional person. A Zimmer user can haul him or her self out of his or her chair by using the frame as an anchor – removing the need, in many cases, for any form of external help. The Zimmer frame has thus enabled thousands of elderly people to retain their dignity and independence long past the stage at which they would have previously required help.
A person in need of a Zimmer can either buy or hire one: depending, obviously, on the amount of use they feel they are likely to find for the item, Zimmer frames for sale or Zimmer frames for hire can represent equally excellent solutions to mobility problems. Hiring a Zimmer is a particularly good idea in the recovery period following an accident or fall – enabling an older person to continue moving around with confidence even if they’ve had the shock of falling pretty recently.
In either case, the Zimmer frame walker isn’t particularly expensive – thanks to its simple design it costs relatively little to hire or own and can be maintained with ease. All in keeping, then, with the simplicity that’s made it such a long lasting and brilliant invention in the first place. The Zimmer one buys now is in most respects very similar to the frame one would have bought in the early 20th century. That’s the hallmark of a truly great piece of kit.
