A Walker or a Rollator? What to Consider in Selecting the Right One For You!
By Christine Hsin, student Occupational Therapist
There are a lot of different mobility aids available that may be helpful for you or a loved one to get around your home or community. Last month, our blog post covered an introduction to adaptive equipment and used walkers as an example in the equipment category of mobility. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about two options for mobility equipment: walkers and rollators. If you’re not familiar with what these are, that’s okay! We’re going to review the general purpose of these equipments, as well as their similarities and differences. We hope that by giving you a better idea of the different considerations between a walker and a rollator, you can be better informed about mobility equipment!
This blog post is designed to help you learn about the similarities and differences between the design and general purpose of a walker and a rollator. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional such as an occupational therapist for guidance when seeking home health equipment specific to mobility.
As every person and condition is unique, it is important to receive an assessment on which mobility equipment is best suited for you or another human in your life. Occupational therapists can work with you to help figure out what kind of mobility aid may be the best fit for you or your loved one’s needs and environment. If you are interested in finding an occupational therapist near you, you can contact your doctor, health authority, or use the OT finder available through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, which is located on AssistList’s Partner page.
Alright, now let’s jump right in and get started!
What’s a walker?
A walker is a mobility device that has a frame and four legs that can support a person’s ability to walk. There are a few common kinds of walkers. While most walkers have four legs, some may have solid tips on all four legs, while others may only have solid tips on the back two legs and wheels on the front two legs. Walkers with two wheels are often referred to as “two-wheeled walkers”. These wheels can allow for the individual to move the walker forward more easily. On the other hand, walkers with four solid rubber tips are less likely to slide forward and might need more upper body strength to lift and move the equipment forward.
What’s a rollator?
A rollator is a mobility device that can also support walking. It has handles and typically 3–4 wheels on all its legs. A rollator is also referred to as a 4-wheel walker.
This equipment often comes with a seat and hand brakes. This allows for the rollator to be moved around easily and for the user to sit down safely with the brakes on to prevent movement. This can be helpful for individuals who might feel tired when walking and need a seat to rest before continuing. Some rollators may also have a basket attached to them which allows for storage. This may free the hands of any items or bags that might otherwise need to be held. This could be helpful for doing errands or going grocery shopping in the community.
What are the similarities?
Both a walker and rollator can be used to help an individual who may benefit from additional support while walking by allowing them to use their arms and hands to steady themselves. Certain forms of walkers and rollators may also be foldable or collapsible, making them easier to transport if needed.
What are the differences?
As a rollator has wheels on all its legs, it allows for the device to be rolled along more easily. Rollators may also be more appropriate for moving larger distances on indoor and outdoor terrain due to their wheels which are designed to be rolled over different surfaces. They may be more suitable for individuals who do not wish to apply a lot of force to move the rollator. A rollator might also be helpful for an individual who would like a seating option should they wish to rest.
On the other hand, a walker may need to be lifted or pushed with more force, and may be more difficult to drag on the ground outdoors. However, walkers without wheels may be helpful in that they are stationary until the individual moves them forward, offering more stability for individuals who might want a fixed support. A two wheeled walker offers a bit of a balance between a rollator and a walker without wheels, in that it can be moved forward but may also offer some resistance to movement.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Most two wheeled walkers do not have brakes or seats like rollators.
- Due to the structural design of a rollator which includes hand-brakes and wheels, this mobility equipment may not be the best option for an individual who requires extra support with balance, mobility, and/or experiencing limited hand function.
It is important to consult an occupational therapist or another health professional to determine the right mobility equipment for you. If after the consultation, and you are seeking a walker or a rollator, feel free to check out what is available on AssistList. If you would like more information on how to make transactions on AssistList, check out this link.
Thank you for reading — hope to see you next time!
Christine
