Old people and people with mobility issues find walkers and rollators pretty useful for regular movement. While you will find both varieties popular in the market, the two mobility aids differ from each other in terms of several aspects. The following list includes the distinctive features of these mobility aids.
What Are The Unique Features Of A Walker?
- Walkers do not have wheels fixed at the bottom of their stands/legs.
- However, if you wish to make your walker slide forward, you will find several accessories in the market for it.
- People using walkers need to lift them and put them back on the ground to move forward. This means each step forward needs detaching the walker from the ground and replacing it again.
- Older people with heavy body weight find walkers more convenient as they offer weight support to some extent.
- Walkers never come with a seat attached to them
- Walkers can be used to help maintain balance while walking
- If the person using the walker has body balance issues, walkers are always a better choice.
- Of late, the market also has a new variety of walkers, called hybrid walkers, featuring two wheels attached to the forelegs.
What Are The Unique Features Of A Rollator?
- Wheeled walkers, rolling walkers, and medical rolling walkers are a few alternative names for rollators.
- Unlike walkers, rollators have wheels attached to each of their legs.
- Unlike walkers, you do not have to lift the unit in order to move forward. Rollators slide smoothly and in a frictionless manner due to the wheels.
- Due to the presence of the wheels, rollators do not offer the advantage of body weight support like walkers. If you lean against the rollator for support or balance, the unit might slide and you may get hurt.
- An excellent feature that separates rollators from walkers distinctively is that the latter has a seat. Some rollators also feature a removable back allowing the user perfect body balance when seated.
- You cannot rely on rollators for maintaining your body balance when you walk
Which One Is A Superior Choice?
Choosing between a walker and a rollator is a difficult task. However, it depends on the user and the level of mobility restriction faced by the person. If a person needs constant body balance support during movements, the walker is a better choice at any time. On the other hand, if the person does not have body balancing issues, rollators remain the best alternative for effortless movement. Pick the best alternative keeping your unique requirements in mind.