Walker Positioning for Elderly Patients

A 70-year-old patient with a history of severe osteoarthritis in both knees is being discharged from the hospital. The nurse is educating the patient on the proper use of a walker to ensure safety and independence at home. During the session, the nurse emphasizes that when using a walker, the patient should keep their elbows slightly bent, hold the walker with both hands, and position it about ___ inches in front of their feet before taking a step.

Fill in the blank to complete the guidance on the position of the walker.