Rollators
 

For those that use rolling walkers, what features do you like? Lightweight for easy portability? Heavy for stability? Three wheels or four? Big or small wheels? I didn't know there were so many choices!!!

I dont use one, but my mom uses one with her bad knees, and she likes the 4 wheeled ones, that are lightweight.

I just adjusted her handlebars for her. We were at the grocery store and she made the comment that she walks better with the shopping carts because they're taller.

So, when we got home, I grabbed her walker and extended the handlebars as far as they would go and she's up there running around the living room, showing off how much easier it is for her to walk with her rollator now. I guess I'll be making her other rollator (the one for using outside and in stores) taller in the morning, if I can.

If I ever need to use a rollator, I want a lightweight one that's easily adjustable.

Well, let's see. My fleet has two rollators, one lives in the car, one in the house. Both have a seat, basket, handbrakes, four wheels.

One has kind of "flared" handles instead of ordinary tubes with rubber covers. The molded handles with a kind of flare shape allow a broader support for my hands and that is helpful.

Both of mine have 6" wheels and I find them more than adequate for my needs. They move through grass well, snow okay, smaller gravel fairly well, and have handled several muddy or rocky river bottoms.

Both are relatively lightweight but I didn't give weight a lot of consideration because the only lifting I do is to pitch it into the car when I'm finished.

I have used both the straight backrest bar and a bowed one. My preference is the straight one, but it's really a personal choice.

One of them has a removable back bar which is okay, but I tend to leave it on for no particular reason.

I prefer the basket on the front as opposed to under the seat. It's bigger than the under seat kind and much easier to access, especially when sitting on it! But, I did choose the underseat model for my car walker because I never use the basket. On both types, the basket must be removed to fold/close the unit.

To me, the most important thing is stability and I find the 4-wheel model a good bit more stable than the 3-wheel type. Also, the 3-wheel ones I've seen do not offer a place to sit if I get too tired.

I hope this helps B2, let me know if I missed anything.:)


ETA: I just saw Erin's post and it reminded me that when I first started using mine, I had felt some new fatigue and discomfort issues. My PT re-adjusted it to my correct fit and it made a huge difference for me. Ironically, I did not have it set to the proper height. Thanks, Erin!

I'd like to add my rollator to the equation.

I have just the one bright red, (racing colour red), rollator. It has a seat, a basket, handbrakes and four wheels (don't like those three wheeled ones).

It has 6" wheels, 'cos the 4'' ones looked a bit sick when I checked them out at the "disabled shop".

It has a little basket as well for carrying my bits and pieces when the arms don't work too good. I'd have liked mine under the seat like AMN's, but I didn't get that choice, so mine sticks out in front of the seat. It even has this cool plastic seat-cover thingy where you can carry things like cups of hot coffee. Easily removable, you just click it in and unclick.

I have cane 1 and cane 2, and here's a pic of my rollator....with the little plastic tray on the seat!

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/Rollator.jpg

I like the seat, the basket and the fact that it folds down to fit in the boot of my car. I also like the bigger wheels as I feel they're much more stable when you get outside.

i love my 4wheeler... i got larger wheels.. is a much smoother ride/roll... my basket is out front for ease of getting things while i'm sitting

it is pretty :D

i don't have one to compare to, other than those i saw in the store...

insurance paid for it (less the basket)

it folds up easy, but i kinda wish it could store folded... it doesn't.. it would fall over... it only folds to get in/out of the car.

i like the way people are nice when i'm out w/it... like they will let you by and open doors and you have a chance to smile and say thank you or let them go ahead... there seems to be less anonymous shoving and more interpersonal good things :p

Hi!
Medicare covered mine with the Neuros written script but took two months for reimbursement.

It is a four wheeler and electric blue!!

I don't use it much now as I am doing better but on bad days it is a real blessing as it allows me the freedom to move about.

The best feature is the fold down seat. I am okay if I keep moving but stopping to look at something then I HAVE to sit.

Although I would prefer something with a hemi it does real well and folds easy for loading in the van.

Hmm, I don't think I could get my neuro to write a prescription, but I'll bet my PCP will. I wonder if the insurance company would accept an Rx from a PCP?

Will your insurance company let you pick one out, or do they have to approve the critter itself? Do they have a certain amount they will pay? For example, do they have a limit of $100 and if you want a "better" one, you pay the remainder?

tip:

if you are getting one..consider 2 like cindy, if you can afford it.

one for inside that is just for inside with light color wheels. some of the black ones can make marks. using it just inside will insure that you don't get little rocks in the tires that can scratch floors. plus you won't track any dirt inside.

*this tip is from a friend who learned the hard way on her wood floors. :o


oh..if you have access to sams...they have them.

you can order online if they don't have one in stock.

www.samsclub.com

last year when i wanted a cane i asked neuro for a script and she said, "why, you don't need one" so i explained how my tall umbrella helps me and she wrote a script for the cane...

in december, when visiting my new neuro, i asked for a rx for a rollator and he asked what it was... and then gave me the rx in standard lingo:

prescription for insurance purposes should say "rolling walker with a seat"

there usually isn't a limit on what you can spend on them... the non-medical are not covered (the basket)

We did the same thing. My mom actually has 3 rollators. One for upstairs, one for downstairs, and one for outside/going to the store.

She hardly ever uses the downstairs rollator. The one she uses the most is the upstairs one.

We learned the hard way to get more than 1 rollator to save the floors. When we bought the house (brand new) the carpets were white. My mom didnt start using a rollator until we'd been here a few years. She started using it indoors and outside, and we started to notice little tire marks on the carpet.

Luckily, we had my dog TinyMonsters (100+ pounds of black fur and oily dog skin) He did a great job of covering up the tire tracks and making them blend in with his dog fur.

When we had our carpets cleaned the first time, the guy cleaning it showed me the dirty water and schmutz that came up out of the carpet. Exact color of my dog. 2yrs after losing my dog, it's still coming up that color...and the dog only lived in the house for 5yrs.

I cant wait to get new carpet that wont show the tire tracks as much, and hopefully get something that's a bit more rollator friendly for my mother.