Mobility Aids

Walkers and Rollators

I’ve heard the phrase “motion is lotion” used by fitness experts and medical professionals and couldn’t agree more.  Motion is lotion, and our bodies are made to move.  However, some of us cannot get around like we used to or be as mobile as much as we’d like.  The simple act of walking can be difficult.

Two devices can help—walkers and rollators.  Everyone has seen someone use a walker.  It has four legs, and the person moves behind it and lifts the walker with each step. 

A rollator (sometimes called a walker with wheels, rolling walker, or fitness walker) has three or four wheels and the person using it will push it while walking behind.  A rollator typically can be folded for storage, is adjustable for height, has hand brakes, and a place to keep things such as a phone or purse.  Three-wheel, four-wheel, and stand-up versions are available.    

A 3-wheel rollator has a tighter turn radius, is narrower and lighter than the 4-wheel version.  Due to its light weight, many people keep a 3-wheel rollator in the backseat or trunk of their vehicle and use it when they travel or run errands.  The 4-wheel rollator provides much more stability than the 3-wheel version and has a seat for storage and an easy way to sit down and take a break.  It can also be folded to fit in your vehicle and taken with you when you leave the house.  Basic versions are available, as well as high end models with larger wheels that are made to go “off road”.

Frances Cintron, Vice President of Mobility City in Lawrenceville, GA, kindly showed me the different options available and let me walk around to “try them on” to see which version best fit me and my needs and allowed me to take some photo’s.  Mobility City is a national retail chain that specializes in the rental, purchase, service, and repair of mobility equipment such as rollators, walkers, scooters, lifts, and hospital beds.  If you live in the metro Atlanta area, please check out Mobility City located at 65 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

You can also get your steps in if you aren’t quite ready to use a walker or rollator for whatever reason.  Just go to the supermarket and walk behind a grocery cart.  It provides stability and assists in balance.  You will be surprised at the distance it takes to go up and down every aisle.

Use the mobility aid that’s best for you and your situation.

Keep moving!