How many types of walkers and rollators are available for seniors?

The market offers you a variety of walkers or rollators to choose from. Each on of having its unique features and benefits suited according to the patient’s requirements. Sometimes, the terms walker and rollator are used interchangeably to refer to the same thing, but there is a key difference to make between the two.  

Principle Differences Between a walker and a rollator.
 
The principal difference between a walker and a rollator is a walker consist of a frame with legs and handles only, so in order to move forward, you need to lift it. While a rollator consists of wheels and is easily pushed along for mobility.
 
Often having seats for the patients to rest if needed and the braking systems, rollators help you to bring your mobility aid to halt. Whereas, walkers are just structural frames to assist you with the support and maintain balance.
 
Generally, walkers are considered best for indoor uses and rollators for outdoor uses because they consist of wheels that ease their use on different kinds of terrain providing additional assistance as compared to walkers.
 
Rollators being more advanced and having various additional features are more expensive as compared to walkers. However, several users find rollators worth the extra cost as compared to walkers.
 
Types of Walkers and Rollators
 
· Straight Walking Frames:  The simplest and most affordable types of walkers, consisting of four legs and two handles that the user holds onto, and in order to move the users have to lift the frame with every step forward. They could be challenging for seniors to use, as it requires good upper body strength and coordination, and could be tiring as well.
 
· Lightweight Walkers: Built from lightweight materials, such as aluminum instead of steel, saving weight and considerably, making them lighter in comparison to the other widely-used models that could weigh around 20lbs.
 
· Front-wheel walkers:  With the same basic design as standard walking frames, with the addition of wheels on the two front legs, it moves with a gentle push, instead of lifting it countless times like the standard walkers. If you apply too much load on the wheels it becomes difficult to control it.
 
· Heavy-duty walkers: These Walkers are also known as Bariatric walkers, built and designed especially for heavier users. They are made from robust materials and often, are larger in comparison to other types of walkers. If the user weighs more than 300 lbs, they should consider a heavy-duty walker for themselves if needed.
 
· Side (Hemi) walkers: Side Walkers, also referred to as Hemi Walkers are similar in structure to the standard frame walkers. The main difference between both is side walkers only consist of one handle for you to grip with one of your hands. As they have four legs, providing additional support and balance, Hemi walkers are considered better than walking sticks.
 
· Upright walkers: These walkers allow the user to maintain a better posture safely. It is a wheeled walking aid that has elevated armrests instead of handles to place your forearms which reduces the pressure exerted on various parts of the body such as hands, wrists, back, and knees.
 
· Three-wheel rollators: Providing you with many benefits, three-wheeled rollators provide better mobility due to their wheel arrangement, one at the front and two at the rear. However, they don’t have seats and are generally smaller in size.
 
· Four-wheel rollators: They are a great choice for seniors with weak body strength and limited endurance. They offer much better mobility than the non-wheeled walkers. These walkers have a seat for you to rest on and are also equipped with brakes to slow down. You are provided with a wheel lock to prevent it from rolling when you come to standstill.
 
Conclusion
 
If you are suffering from any sort of medical condition that has limited your mobility, it is preferred to use a walker or a rollator. If you think to use one, it is always best to take an expert’s advice as they can understand your needs better and help you make the right choice as per your requirements for your condition. As you can see, there are various kinds of rollators and walkers for sale available, so it becomes very important to first understand your requirements and take a decision based on them.