When it comes to accidents or even getting older, the part of the body most often affected are our legs or feet. Getting around becomes a challenge, and for some people, nearly impossible without some kind of walking aid. If this were to happen to you, would you be more comfortable getting around with a cane, crutches, walker or rollator? Not everyone can handle moving about with crutches, which can be unwieldy to use. And, not everyone is comfortable with the stability offered by canes, so the choices become limited.
Making the Choice
That said, which of the many mobility aids is going to be the right choice for you? Both types of walking aids offer more stability than either crutches or canes, but not everyone has the same level of comfort using any type of aid. It might be better if you were more informed as to what each one does, and what they can offer for you in terms of comfort, stability and movement, before you make the right choice, especially if you are going to be using them for some time to come.
Walkers
A medical walker is essentially an aluminum frame, with cross supports added to provide stability. They come in two versions, with or without wheels. The basic walker, the one without wheels, allows for movement by providing leaning support while you lift it and place it down prior to stepping forward. It is more stable than using crutches, as it does not require a lot of upper body strength to use, and even people with balance issues can use one, if they are careful to pause before each step, to be sure of their balance before moving forward.
The wheeled variety features small caster type wheels, which are installed primarily to help with the forward sliding of the device. This type of medical walker is good for those who may have trouble lifting and sliding the device forward in order to take that next step. Those patients that are easily fatigued during movement, however, may find that a medical walker is not a good fit for them, unless there are nearby seats where they can rest while using it.
Rollators
The main difference between walkers and a rollator is that it offers more stability, a greater range of movement, and some models even come with a seat upon which you can rest, if you need to. It resembles a small cart at first glance, and is quite similar in function to those walkers put to use by small children when they are first learning how to walk. A rollator allows you to center your weight in the middle of it, as opposed to walkers, where your weight is placed more to the front of the device as you swing it to move.
With a walker, if you wish to turn or move backwards, it can be problematic. With the rollator design, you simply grasp the handles, and turn the wheels in the direction you wish to turn, or simply roll it slowly backwards for a smooth progression. A rollator also is best for those who are perhaps re-learning how to walk after spinal damage, or recovering from paralysis, because its use encourages you to center your weight, just as you would while walking without aid. If you are easily fatigued, this is the right choice for you, because with the seat option, you have a handy place to rest during movement, without the encumbrance of a wheelchair.
Additional Rollator Options
Because this device is much easier to use than a walker, it is quickly gaining in popularity, especially among the elderly. With options available like cushioned seats, baskets, and a choice between three and four-wheeled versions, it is quickly allowing patients to return to shopping excursions, giving them needed exercise, and carrying purchases without compromising their hands.
Some will choose rollators with three wheels, as opposed to the four-wheeled version, for one very simple reason: maneuverability. The three-wheeled version can handle tight turns better, and has a narrower frame that will fit down hallways and aisles easier than some of the wider, four-wheeled types.
