Outdoor Walkers
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Outdoor Rollator Walkers

Walkers with permanently attached wheels are known as rollator walkers by most companies these days. Rollator walkers have several standard features that are common among all the different models. The information on this page is on the models I consider "outdoor" models. They are generally a little heavier than the indoor models and have wheels that are more than 6" in diameter. The larger the wheels the easier they will roll over small obstacles. That is not to say they can't be used inside but the heavier, larger wheels may be difficult to get into smaller areas of some houses.

As with any other walker style, I feel the user should actually try the walker, or have previous experience with the style, they are purchasing for safety.

Common Features of Rollators

Height Adjustment

Setting the proper height for a rollator walker is important for the comfort, safety and posture of the user. Generally the top of the walker's hand grips should be at the same height as the user's wrist where it meets the hand when the user is standing as upright as they can. The important thing is there should be a small bend in the user's elbow when using the walker.

Unlike the standard walkers where the handle height is adjusted by moving the wheels up and down, most rollator walkers are adjusted by adjusting the handles up and down.

How to Use a Rollator Walker

Using the rollator walker is pretty straight forward. The user has the walker in front of them, steps into it from the rear and pushes it forward at the same time. The pace is fairly conventional for walking instead of the stop and go pace of a standard walker without wheels. Because the front wheels will swivel, the walker should never have to be picked up by the user while in use.

The user can operate the brakes while walking to slow down and stop or locked on. The brakes should always be locked on when the user is in the process of sitting or standing, whether they are using the walker seat or another seating surface and when they are seated on the walker resting.

The seat on the walker is to be used for sitting and the walker should not be moved while the user is sitting on it. The brakes should always be locked on when the user is sitting.

The walker is not intended to take all of the weight of he user but some weight can be transferred off the legs when walking forward and providing balance when needed. Some people have trouble with rollators, especially the lighter models, because they can get away from people when they are using them. People with forward balance issues sometimes can have trouble because they push the walker too far forward, too fast and can't catch up with it. The faster they try and walk to catch up with the walker, the faster and farther away the walker goes. Traveling down ramps and hills may aggravate this behaviour.

Accessories Available

Because rollators have many features as standard equipment there are only a couple of accessories available for these walkers.

walker tray     walker cup holder     walker cane holder


Rollator Walker with Elbow Supports




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