Walkers or Rollators: The Great Walking Aid Debate

Being mobile is such a huge part of retaining your independence. Unfortunately, it’s also something most able-bodied people take for granted. Until something happens to compromise your ability to get where you want to go in a safe and timely manner, most people don’t even give a second thought to walking aids and how they work. Because of the wide variety of walking aids available, it can be confusing to choose one. For example, should you choose walkers or rollators as your mobility aid?

Questions like these lead many people to find themselves a bit lost and confused on the subject. This is true regardless of if they become injured or reach an age where they need support.

If this is a situation you are in yourself right now – either because of your own lack of mobility or that of your loved one – we want you to know that patients have options. Two of our favorite devices are the time-honored walker and the newer rollator. This guide will give insight into both mobility aids. We are here to help you to successfully choose walkers or rollators as your aid.

Walkers or Rollators: Similar Mobility Aids?

Both walkers and rollators have similar purpose: to help individuals who are having mobility or balance issues achieve balance and stay upright with less pain. Both are remarkably helpful for increasing balance, security, and alleviating weakness, but that’s where the similarities stop.

So which is right for you? Should you choose walkers or rollators? Below are some features of both to help you choose.

Features of Walkers

Typically made of aluminum or another lightweight metal for durability, walkers have four legs covered with non-slip cups. Each of these four feet should be firmly on the floor prior to the patient taking a step. Used properly, walkers allow patients to exercise, stay upright, and remain mobile without fearing a fall.

Walkers, as reliable as they are, do require that the patient has enough balance and upper body strength to lift the walker. It requires coordinated and smooth movements as the patient moves forward. Not only does this mean that the person using it must have these physical skills, they also need to have the confidence to carry them out.

Even if the patient has the upper body strength to lift the walker, it might not be the right choice if they are afraid of becoming off balance while doing so. Even a lack of confidence can change gait just enough to make the walker increase the risk of a fall versus preventing falls.

For patients with confidence issues or weakness, the better answer might be a walker with two wheels in the front. This is a good alternative for patients who need support to stay mobile, but aren’t quite capable enough to use a rollator.

Features of Rollators

Though a rollator looks similar to a walker, it’s actually very different in application and use. The standard rollator has a wheel on each of its four legs, making it easy to push around. Because it has wheels, a rollator doesn’t require as much upper body or arm strength to navigate. There is no lifting involved when walking on a level surface – you simply push it along.

Rollators also feature a braking system; this system helps patients retain a sense of control if they begin moving too quickly. The brakes can be used to slow the rollator. It slows down in the event that the user feels it is moving too fast. The brakes can also stop it completely. Some rollator models come with only three wheels; this stripped-back tristand style provides greater maneuverability for the patient.

Regardless of whether your chosen rollator has three or four wheels, nearly all have some type of padded seat at the top and center. This is an invaluable resource for people who experience chronic pain, weakness, or dizziness because it effectively allows the patient to sit anywhere at any time. Patients can rest when shopping, take breaks on walks, sit securely if they become dizzy without fearing a fall.

Walkers or Rollators: Considerations

Now that you know a little bit more about your choices, it’s time to talk about what you need to consider when making your choice between walkers or rollators. The overarching goal is to help retain patient independence. However, it’s also important to keep elements like comfort level and budget in mind, too.

Other potential considerations include:

• Upper Body Strength: It’s likely that even a rollator will need to be lifted at some point in time in order to cross a threshold or traverse a curb outdoors. Can the user lift the mobility aid on their own or will they require help to do so?
• Traveling With Mobility Aids: Not being confined to their home is a primary reason that many people begin to use a mobility aid in the first place. Being able to transport walkers or rollators can be made easier if it is both lightweight and foldable.
• Height and Weight: In order to ensure the maximum in safety and stability, it’s important that the walking aid you choose works well for the patient’s height and weight. All patients should be measured first by your local pharmacist, regardless of which device they choose.
• Balance and Stability: In general, patients need to have a fair bit of stability and balance in order to use a rollator. Even a walker that has two wheels in the front requires that you have a certain amount of balance. It requires stability to remain safe while it’s in use. Patients who lack these may need a totally different device.
• The Budget: Patient budget plays a major role in device choice. While it shouldn’t be considered at the expense of your safety, choosing the right walking aid might mean scaling back your wish list of features.

What Else Should You Keep In Mind?

The patient’s unique mobility level, as of the time of purchase, may also impact whether walkers or rollaters are best. If the patient can’t easily walk from the bedroom to the bathroom, a walker is likely to be the safest and most stable option. On the other hand, if the patient can walk fairly well, but needs additional help with stability and/or balance, a rollator may be better. The latter also preserves a more normal walking gait while also providing a resting place, while the former is more sturdy and less likely to slip. Mobility level can fluctuate over time, too, and some patients may benefit from having both options available at home.

Rollators or walkers? Which is best? There’s no one clear answer to this question – it depends on the factors listed above and where the patient is with their illness or injury. That said, you should always seek a pharmacists advice prior to making a purchase. Proper fitting and advice on use is critical to success; without it, injuries and accidents are much more likely to occur. Your health and safety is worth it!