How to choose a rollator

If the person you care for has generally good balance and needs just minimal support for getting around, a rollator (walker with wheels and brakes) might be preferable to a standard walker. Rollators enable a more normal, fluid stride. The features to consider start with size, weight, and foldability. If the rollator will be used outside the house, it must fit in the trunk of the car or behind the passenger seat. Is it light enough for your relative to lift themselves? Does it fold easily and to a workable size?

Another issue is the number of wheels and wheel size. The three-wheeled models are narrower and more maneuverable. This makes them ideal for indoors. Outdoors, wheel size is important. Small wheels don't handle uneven paving very well (e.g., a sidewalk buckled by tree roots). A rollator with four large, fat wheels is less likely to abruptly halt or tip over.

Brakes are another concern. Will your loved one be walking up or down hills (even across the slope of driveways)? Most braking systems involve a hand grip that pushes a wedge into the tire, producing a quick stop. For downhill slopes, you want a larger brake that compresses a large part of the wheel and allows for a more gradual slow down.

Accessories are an important part of rollators. Does your relative need a seat, for instance? If so, is the seat for short rests, or would your loved one sit in the walker for a few hours at a time? If the latter, look for a seat with good cushioning. Other accessories often revolve around using the walker to carry items. Would a simple bag or a basket do? Is a cup holder needed? Or a tray for transporting a plate or bowl from the microwave to the dining table?

Some people get two rollators:

• For home. A three-wheeler with 6" tires, wedge brakes, a hard seat (or no seat), and desired accessories. It can be heavier (20–24 pounds). Size and flexibility don't matter.
• For outdoor uses. A three- or four-wheeler. Lightweight for lifting (13–15 pounds) and collapsible to fit easily into the car. Most important, you want large tires (8–10") for safe walking on uneven surfaces. Wide tires and compression brakes reduce the chance of tipping or having the rollator go too quickly down a slope or driveway. A cushy seat may be the most essential accessory.

Consult with an Aging Life Care? Manager to find a physical therapist who can fit the rollator to your loved one's size, weight, and needs.

Are you concerned about a loved one's mobility?

As the Metro DC experts in family caregiving, we at Aging Well Eldercare notice that a rollator can open up new options that are too difficult with just a standard walker. For these and other eldercare tips, give us a call at 301-593-5285. You don't have to do this alone.