In this article, you will learn about walking aids and the best rolling walkers for seniors.
In an ideal world, all of us would be able to maintain the ability to walk and move freely but the truth is that aging and many ailments can make it impossible to move around on your own legs only.
While it’s very important to do strength training and lead an active lifestyle to prevent this from happening only because of aging the truth is that not everyone will e able to do it and some people get degenerative and inflammatory diseases that affect the muscles, joints, and balance, preventing walking without support.
The good news is that there are a ton of different kinds of walking aids that help you maintain independence and the ability to
It’s also important to recognize that if you are not able to walk around unassisted it’s all the more important to keep active with the help of walking aids so you maintain independence and don’t lose the ability to walk altogether.
Walking aids can also be great tools for rehabilitation if you have suffered an injury or been bedridden for a long time.
It’s important to realize that the need for a walking aid should always be assessed by a medical professional. The same goes for rehabilitative work.
If you can make do without one, it’s not wise to get a walking aid for comfort alone. It can easily turn into a crutch that you become dependent on.
You should do everything in your power to maintain the ability to walk without aids as you get older because once you lose it, it’s hard to get back.
What Is A Rolling Walker
Rolling walkers, also known as rollators, are a type of walking aid that has wheels at the base to offer smooth movement on flat surfaces.
Compared to walking canes and walkers, a rolling walker requires less effort when moving around on a flat surface since you don’t have to lift it off the ground on each step.
This makes moving around with a rolling walker much easier and faster than a regular one.
The downside to this is that the motion of lifting a walker actually strengthens the muscles you need to sustain an upright walking position, so a regular walker can be more effective in maintaining the ability to walk short distances.
Another consideration is that a regular walker is more stable when it’s firmly seated on the ground. While a rolling walker does offer great support for your balance, there is always the possibility of the walker sliding off of you. That’s why it’s important to practice with it and always have good control over the brakes.
A rolling walker typically consists of a lightweight metal frame, a seat, the wheels, a braking system, and usually some form of a storage pouch.
A rolling walker can have three or four wheels of varying sizes. The most typical configuration is 4 large wheels with front-wheel that are free to turn the whole 360 degrees.
There are also versions with three wheels. They are usually a bit lighter but not as stable and usually don’t offer a seat to sit on.
What Are Rolling Walkers For
Rolling walkers are meant to be used as a walking aid for seniors with disabilities or ailments that prevent walking longer distances or carrying heavy objects.
A typical use of rolling walkers is going to the grocery store. The walker gives you support and allows you to put your groceries on the seat.
A rolling walker can be used if you have lung or heart conditions that require you to take short breaks to catch your breath while walking. You can park the walker and use the seat to rest.
But once again it’s important that you only consider using a walker if a medical professional recommend one for you. Otherwise, it can become a crutch that reduces your ability to move independently over time.
It’s important to stay active and challenge your body, especially when you are aging, to keep your muscles strong and limber.
What To Look For In A Rolling Walker?
There are a couple of things you need to consider when choosing a rolling walker.
The most important thing is the build quality. It’s important that the roller has a sturdy chassis and wheels and a trustworthy braking system. These are all important safety considerations.
A cheap rolling walker that’s made out of low-quality material can give out on you. The wheels can get stuck, the frame can bend and in the worst case, the brakes can fail. You don’t want this to happen when you are a mile away from home with groceries.
Since rollators are often used for going to the store, it’s wise to pick a model with sufficient storage and carrying capability. Otherwise, the walker will be good for only doing short walks around the neighborhood.
One thing to consider is also the looks and the form factor. Many seniors these days prefer something a bit more aesthetic and pleasing to the eye than a pure medical device. A walking aid doesn’t have to look dull and grey.
Finally, the weight-bearing capability of the walker is important if the user is of a larger built or significantly overweight. There are models that can handle up to 500 lbs with ease.
Best Rolling Walker For Seniors
The following walkers are the top-rated rolling walkers from the online store Amazon. I did a lot of research to find the once with the best ratings and review at different price points.
The links pointing out to Amazon are affiliate links, so I will earn a small commission if you buy through the links. It will cost you no extra.
I want to be completely transparent about this, so if you think I don’t deserve a commission, simply go directly to Amazon or Google without clicking any of my links and search for the same product.
Best Rolling Walker
Here’s the top-rated general use rolling walker on Amazon, the Drive Medical Nitro series:
The walker has over 5300 ratings on Amazon with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.0. That’s a score you don’t typically see so it means people are really satisfied with the product.
People seem to be loving the Nitro series rollator walker because it looks nothing like the medical device rollators. One owner compared it to a hot rod of rollators!
Best Affordable (Lightweight) Rolling Walker
If the Drive Medical Nitro is a bit pricey for your budget, the best rated rolling walker under $100 is the Drive Medical Aluminium Rollator:
It’s a very lightweight and affordable rollator with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 based on over 4,800 global ratings so people
Just beware that the few negative reviews are about parts of the walker giving out prematurely. That is to be expected since the low price has to show somewhere.
Best Rolling Walker For Large People
The Nova Mighty Mack is the best rated rolling walker on Amazon that specially designed to support heavier people:
It has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 based on over 200 ratings. People have found the rollator to be very sturdy in the reviews.
It’s designed to handle loads of up to 500 lbs so if you have a very large frame or significant overweight, this is probably the perfect choice.
Conclusion
I hope you found this guide about rolling walkers for seniors useful and it helped you decide if you need one and what kind you should get. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below and I’ll get back to you.
Rolling walkers are a great way to improve your independence and ability to move around if you have disabilities or medical conditions that prevent you from walking longer distances.
Just beware that you should only use them when you really have to. This way you are more likely to maintain the ability to walk without one longer.
Strength training and balance training are important for maintaining your ability to walk but exercise should always be
Thanks for reading and remember to share the post on social media if you found it useful!
See you next time.