A 4 wheel walker known as Rollator provides a wide range of movement to disabled people, elderly patients, and individuals with less strength and endurance. Wheeled walkers offer extra stability and balance and help in moving on uneven terrains. You can find n number of rollators in the market that come in various designs and wheel size, seats, and finishes. Before buying a rollator, you should consider its pros and cons and essential factors that would help you make a well-informed decision.
Benefits of Using a Rollator
Provides Good Mobility solution
With four wheels, a rollator allows you to move smoothly on different terrains without strenuous efforts. It provides stability and balance and enhances your comfort, offering you an excellent mobility solution.
Comes With Seat and Backrest to Help You Rest When Tired
If you feel tired moving, you can lock your rollator’s brakes and sit or relax comfortably practically anywhere. Models with foldable backrests make it a breeze to transport the 4 wheeled rollator walkers.
Size Adjustments
Before buying a rollator, it is advisable to check out the handle height and choose one that has a comfortable handle height or that which comes with height adjustment options. A four-wheeled rollator offers you a wider range of adjustment options than a 3-wheeled rollator.
Cons of 4- Wheel Walker
Despite these benefits, a rollator or 4-wheel walker is not suitable for everybody. Choosing another kind of walker might be the better choice than a rollator in some cases.
Not Suitable For Overweight Persons with Weight-Bearing Problems
Obese persons of more than 350 pounds should consider traditional models or heavy-duty rollators for assisting them in weight bearing. A rollator will not be suitable for overweight persons who can’t support their weight while walking.
Control Problems
An overweight person will experience problems in control if he or she leans too heavily on a wheeled walker. The rollator will move faster than expected due to the weight.
Less Flexibility in Tight Spaces
When it comes to making sharp turns and maneuver your rollator in tight spaces, a four-wheeled walker will show lesser flexibility than a compact 3-wheel walker. Besides these, another person can’t push the rollator when you sit in it.
Factors to Consider Before Purchase
Before buying a suitable rollator from a renowned and experienced medical supply store, you should consider various factors like height, seats, wheel size, storage, weight capacity, foldability, and availability of replacement parts before the purchase.
Wheel Size
Overlooking wheel size or choosing small wheels seems to be natural. However, you should consider your mobility requirements—whether it is mostly indoors and less outdoors on a smooth surface or you need to move over rough terrains. Based on this, you should choose a rollator with larger wheels suitable for these terrains or cobblestone. Go for rollators with around 8 inches or the larger size for convenient movement on most terrains.
Seat or No Seat
A rollator with a seat and a backrest provides a comfortable space to rest on when you are tired. Check out and ensure the availability of a padded seat that will help those people with hip problems to rest. Whether you feel tired or experience joint pain, you’ll appreciate having a seat with a backrest to relax.
Height
The height of the walker is another crucial factor to consider. You should check out the seat height from the floor and make sure that it is convenient. You should purchase a rollator that offers seat height and handle height adjustability. With a suitable seat-to-floor and a handle height, the rollator will provide convenience and cater to your specific requirements.
Besides these, you should consider storage options, foldability, weight-bearing capacity, and availability of replacement parts of the rollator before purchase to make the right choice.