By Maurice
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When physical limitations or age-related issues start to affect your mobility, it is a frustrating and concerning issue for anyone. No one looks forward to the time when mobility, stability and a potential loss of independence occurs.
Before giving up, know that there are ways to get around these issues. When you first begin to notice a change in your balance, stamina, and overall mobility, it’s time to act. Instead of just settling for a more sedentary lifestyle, consider the options that are designed specifically for your continued mobility in mind.
One such option is a rollator.
What is a Rollator?
A rollator is another name for a rolling walker. As a twist to a standard walker with the standard aluminum frame, legs, and grips to help steady yourself while walking, a rollator has wheels.
Instead of picking up and moving the walker with each step, the wheels of a rollator allow the user to push the walker into action. This pushing motion allows users to move faster and better navigate the great outdoors.
A rollator restores confidence in your stability while taking a walk, running errands or simply continuing to enjoy the active lifestyle you’re accustomed to.
Are There Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor Rollators?
An indoor rollator helps you maneuver around indoors but is not recommended for users who have difficulties moving around much further than a few feet or from room to room. An indoor rollator uses smaller wheels, typically about six inches in size.
It’s also important to remember to measure interior doorways and hallways, giving yourself enough space to operate a rollator inside. A smaller rollator works better in smaller living spaces with tight turns, narrow hallways, or small bathrooms.
The biggest difference with an outdoor rollator is the larger, heavy-duty wheels. The sturdier wheels, usually around 8” to 10” in size, need to successfully navigate uneven or rough outdoor terrain. You will probably use the hand brakes more often outdoors.
The best rollator for outdoor use is outfitted with a seat for rest stops and storage capabilities to carry personal items, medical or other supplies.
How to Choose the Best Rollator for Outdoor Use – Start Here
Mobility Issues
Your body has a way of letting you know in no uncertain terms that something is not right. If you’ve fallen before or came close, you know how frightening it can be.
The danger of injury from a fall can affect your entire body, literally from head to toe. No one wants to get hurt and be laid up for weeks while injuries heal, not to mention the financial concerns of covering costs of medical attention and/or medications.
Some things that may require the use of a rollator include worsening arthritis, breathing issues, a heart condition, leg/foot pain, lower stamina or increased fatigue while walking. Sometimes, loss of balance or decreased stability comes from good old-fashioned aging.
Whatever issues you may be experiencing, you know your body and know something has changed. Instead of suffering through and hoping you don’t fall, adopt a positive, proactive mindset, and check out your rollator options.
Meet with a Medical Professional
When checking in with your doctor for a yearly checkup or routine appointment, don’t hesitate to bring up the changes you notice in your balance, pain levels or easier fatigue while walking. Not only can your doctor check into these issues more thoroughly to rule out anything more serious, but can then make a professional recommendation based on their observations and/or test results.
When you know what you’re dealing with, you’re in a much better position to find the best rollator that can really help make a positive difference in your life.
Identify Needs and Preferences
The next thing to do is identify why you need a rollator.
After you’ve identified your needs, move on to your preferences. Would you like a smaller, more lightweight rollator? Would you like a more stable, yet still manageable rollator complete with a seat for resting?
Make a thorough list for use in the next step.
Identify Needs and Preferences
The next thing to do is identify why you need a rollator.
After you’ve identified your needs, move on to your preferences. Would you like a smaller, more lightweight rollator? Would you like a more stable, yet still manageable rollator complete with a seat for resting?
Make a thorough list for use in the next step.
Research
You’re now ready to move on to the research portion of the process. So far, you’ve identified the physical issue requiring attention and touched base with your doctor for recommendations.
Review your list of needs and preferences as you begin to research the best rollator for outdoor use specifically with you in mind.
Key Features to Find the Best Rollator for Outdoor Use
Easy to Use
The outdoor rollator you choose should be easy for you to use. You should have no problems lifting it in and out of your vehicle, setting it up and folding it away for storage.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor, so you don’t strain any muscles, experience backaches or further pain. Your outdoor rollator should be adjusted for your maximum comfort to include its height, grips, handbrakes, and the seat.
Safety
You definitely want to educate yourself on all the features and functions of an outdoor rollator, so you use it both safely and effectively. Make sure you are comfortable with using a walker with wheels, handbrakes, and a seat so you don’t get hurt due to lack of training or understanding.
You need to feel confident about using the rollator before you take it out for extended periods of outdoor use.
Best Rollator for Outdoor Use – Top Picks
At this point, you’ve probably got enough basic knowledge about outdoor rollators and may even have a general idea of what you’re looking for.
After reviewing outdoor rollators and factoring in ease of use, comfort, safety, overall quality and manufacturer reputation, here’s our list of top picks.
Three-Wheel Outdoor Rollators
Four-Wheel Outdoor Rollators
Best Rollator for Outdoor Use – Buying Tips
Note that for someone who depends on a walker to support most of their weight or has more difficulty keeping their balance, neither an indoor or outdoor rollator is the best or safest option for you.
An outdoor rollator walker is designed for users who are mostly agile and require only a light degree of assistance with mobility.
Best Rollator for Outdoor Use - Conclusion
From an emotional standpoint, making the leap from total independence to realizing you may need a rollator for help can be tough to deal with. However, when you consider the risks involved in a fall that may cause permanent damage or pain, safety always prevails.
When you consider the prospect of becoming dependent on friends and family versus using a rollator to help keep you moving and living your life, the decision becomes much easier to handle.
Sources
- 1Harvard Health Publishing. “5 Tools to Maintain Your Mobility.” Harvard Medical School. Published: February, 2017. Updated: June 26, 2019 [Accessed January 11, 2021] Available from: 5 tools to maintain your mobility
- 2Dhir, Gaurav. “What is a Rollator Walker Used For?” Last Updated: December 24, 2020. [Accessed January 11, 2021].
- 3Wikipedia contributors. "Walker (mobility)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 5 Jan. 2021. Web. 11 Jan. 2021.
- 4Novajoy.com. Available from: Traveler 3-Wheel Rolling Walker. [Accessed July 11, 2021].
- 5Grahamfield.com. Available from: GF: Sure-Gait II Three-Wheeled Steel Rollator - Graham-Field. [Accessed July 11, 2021].
- 6Grahamfield.com. Available from: GF: 3-Wheel Cruiser - Graham-Field. [Accessed July 11, 2021].
- 7DriveMedical.com. Available from: Nitro Aluminum Rollator, 10" Casters. [Accessed July 11, 2021].
- 8Xlent Products, Inc. Available from: Volaris PATROL All Terrain Rollator Walker. [Accessed July 11, 2021].
- 9Novajoy.com. Available from: Zoom Series Rolling Walkers. [Accessed July 11, 2021].
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