How to Choose the Best Rollator Walker

Choosing the best walker mobility aid to meet your needs will make a great difference in your day to day life. A walker is a home health medical aid and is also called a rollator, rolling walker, medical walker, or wheeled walker. There are many medical product supply houses online where you can find discounts on a walker. Determine your needs before shopping for your rollator walker. Some name brands are Medline Walkers, Invacare Rollite Rollator, and Nova Walkers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine Your Needs.
   
   Will you use your walker rollator outdoors?
   How much weight capacity does your walker need to handle?
   Will your walker need to be folded for transporting?
   Are you able to work the hand brakes?
   Will you carry objects on your walker? (Laundry Baskets)
   Do you need to carry an oxygen tank on your walker?
   Will your walker be used on carpeting or hard floors?

2. Choose your style.
   Wheels? No Wheels? Glides? Four Wheels? Three Wheels?
   Color Choices: Blue, Burgundy, Green, Pink (Breast Cancer Awareness)

3. Test Drive. Visit area medical supply stores to test drive the different styles of walkers.
   Ask your friends for recommendations of walkers.

4. Shop for your walker. Your walker can be purchased from a local home medical equipment store or online.

5. Financing. 1. Pricing range between $60 to $250 plus. Get a prescription for your medical walker mobility aid from your doctor and check if your medicare or insurance company will pay for part or all of it

6. Accessorize your walker. Attach a bag or basket to the front to carry items. Add a pillow cushion to sit on. Be creative add bike horns, Teddy Bears, Flags, Ribbons, Holiday flashing lights and stickers.

7. Maintain your walker. Regularly check the nuts & bolts, wheels, brakes and the overall safety of your rollator walker.

Tips & Warnings

• Put your name and phone number on your rollator walker.
• Ask your Dr. or Physical Therapist which type of walker is best for you.
• Throw rugs can be a hazard with rollator walkers.

Resources

• More Information on Walker Rollators
• Emergency Medical Alert Devices
• More Articles by Sharon Meier

[walkergirl72]

on 10/26/2009 Actually, a walker should never ever be used as a temporary wheelchair, no matter how short the distance. This is a dangerous practice. Rollator walkers are designed to roll while you walk with them, not when sitting on the seat (with the exception of the AMG Duo). When you are sitting on your rollator the distribution of your weight on the frame puts a lot more pressure on the front of the frame and front forks. If you are foot propelling or being pushed while sitting on your rollator, and the front wheels come up against any resistance (such as a crack or bump) the wheels can easily become caught and the rollator will tip, or the front fork can snap. You risk serious injury should you fall, which would be a shame because a rollator when used correctly can be an important tool in helping to keep you safe while retaining your mobility. Most manufacturers will not cover a broken ...