Walkers and rollators offer light to medium support for those individuals who are at an increased risk of falling due to balance or mobility issues. But, when you first begin exploring your mobility options, these two devices and their features can be confusing. Here is a quick guide on how to tell the difference and determine which mobility device is best for you.
1. Do you Require Light or Medium Support
This might be the most important question in selecting the right device. The reason is walkers are designed to lift to some degree in order to move forward whereas rollators will move by pushing and gliding with the help of wheels on each leg.
2. Will Gripping with Your Hand Be a Concern
Although rollators come with hand brakes to provide better control over stopping, the wheels will continue to roll while leaning on the device until the hand brake is applied. If you are unable to grip the hand brake or you may have an issue with this level of control in the near future, the walker might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you have more concern over lifting the frame than you do over applying a hand brake, a rollator would likely be the best choice between these two mobility devices.
3. Are You Using the Device for Mobility or Stability
Before you can decide on a product, it helps to know if your fall risk is more due to balance or mobility concerns. While both walkers and rollators will be helpful for these issues, you will need to answer this question in order to select the number of legs and wheels you will require.
4. How Many Legs & Wheels Do You Prefer
Another helpful question to ask is how many legs you may require for your level of support. Walkers have a lightweight frame and four legs. They come with a choice between no wheels and two wheels. Those who require more stability support may prefer four legs and no wheels. If you believe you could lift and place the front two legs of the walker down quickly enough to stop the rolling, a two-wheel walker may be a great option for moderate support needs.??Rollators give you the option to choose between three and four legs. Your selection will determine the number of wheels since rollators have wheels on each leg. While each comes equipped with a hand brake for control over slowing or stopping, the four-leg model will provide a higher level of support than the three-leg design.
5. Do You Require a Seat to Rest
A fun benefit of some mobility canes and rollators is some offer a seating feature. This is perfect for those who wish to travel, run errands, or attend special events and may require or prefer a seat to break up long periods of standing and walking. If you do not mind a small amount of added weight, a mobility cane with a sports seat feature could be a good option to consider for such moments. Rollators, however, do not require lifting or, in many cases, bending to affix the seat as it is typically set up already as part of the design.
6. What are Your Portability & Storage Needs
Speaking of running, are you planning to do a lot of traveling and running errands with your mobility device? Also, do you have help loading and unloading your device from the car? Walkers are made for lifting and will be lighter weight. They can also come in folding designs for easier storage while traveling or when not in use at home. We offer a one-button and two-button folding design, for example.
Rollators can also be lifted by most individuals as they generally weigh under 15 pounds. They can come in foldable designs. If you prefer the seating option and the speed and convenience of pushing your supportive device forward over lifting and you are able to lift 15 pounds consistently for travel or you have someone to help you, the rollator is an excellent choice for light to moderate support.
7. What is Your Budget
Now that you better understand the difference between a walker and a rollator, there is one last question. Rollators tend to be more expensive than walkers with the added features and materials. Our website has some of the top trending walkers and rollators for you to browse, including popular accessories, to see which style and price is right for your budget and medical needs. If you have questions, our knowledgeable and friendly team is ready to assist you. Reach out to us at ?(817) 585-1772.
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