Super Fitness Health BlogBenefits of Rollator Walkers over Folding Walkers
A folding medical walker, rollator and other types of medical equipment walkers serve as mobility aids to people who are rehabilitating from an injury or to give increased mobility freedom to people with disabilities and the elderly.
An ordinary medical walker – one that does not contain wheels – is a good walking aid that provides a way for people with disabilities to get around. However, it requires the some exert some extra effort to lifting up the walker and moving it forward with each step. This results in a slower more halting type of movement. On the other hand, rollator walkers (or walkers with wheels) have four wheels, of two (the front) swivel 360 degrees and thus provide an easier way for people to move around without the extra lifting effort being required. Rollator walkers glide along as the user moves resulting in a smoother movement.
There are a number of additional benefits that rollator walkers provide as compared to ordinary folding walkers. Some of the more important benefits are now listed:
1. Better accommodates those who have weaker bones and muscles:
The elderly tend to have weaker bones and muscles and a reduced amount of energy. A rollator walker would benefit this group of people, since no additional lifting effort is needed in order for them to move.
2. Provides opportunity to move at a more normal pace:
Rollator walkers provide people who use them the chance to move at the same pace as people without disabilities. When compared with wheel-less folding walkers which must be lifted with each step, rollator walkers can enable people who use them to move at a pace equal to whatever their legs will allow.
3. Gives a greater sense of freedom to the user:
Since rollator walkers can effortlessly be moved in any horizontal direction, the user has greater control and can generally move more without the assistance from other people. Thus, rollator walkers provide a greater sense of freedom to people who use them.
4. Provides greater convenience:
Most rollator walkers have built-in seats, and many have backrests, so users can sit when they become tired or when sitting is just more appropriate for the setting. In addition many rollator walkers are equipped with baskets or tote bags to carry small items such as pens, books, etc. They can also be fitted with drink and cane holders. On the other hand folding walker seats generally require an extra step to install them each time they are to be used. And although fully walkers can be equipped with baskets to carry smaller items, that just increases the lift load for each step.
5. Provide for better balance:
When a person uses a rollator walker, they are not required to depend solely on their legs to keep their balance. Their hands can rest on the rollator handles while all four wheels are on the ground. On the other hand with each step using a folding walker, the user must pick up the walker and depend solely on his or her legs to provide balance until such time as the walker is put down again. This can be very difficult for people having balance problems such as stroke victims.
6. Provides a greater feeling of independence:
Since rollator walkers provide a greater degree of freedom, smoother motion less effort and greater balance, the amount of time that the user requires assistance from another person is reduced. Thus users of rollator walkers tend to feel more independent and less of a burden to others.
Rollator walkers are a bit heavier, a bit bulkier, and in general cost more than non–wheeled folding walkers; however in many (perhaps most) cases the benefits far outweigh the additional cost.
If you’d like to shop for a rollator walker, a good place to begin your search is at EZWalkerrollators.com . There, you’ll find a nice selection of rollator walkers at competitive prices and their customer service people are always willing to help you.
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