We will start our venture into walkers by going over the different styles and why one would be needed over another. Walkers at their basic form are support medical equipment to aid in walking. giving the user a safety frame while walking either for balance and support or for rehabilitation. Walkers with no wheels would be used for people rehabbing, walking and building strength while having a frame for safety. Other types of walkers have two or four wheels for pushing. These are often used for people with balance issues and need something to help prevent falling. We will also look at walkers with a seat and hybrid walker/wheelchairs. Lets get to it.
Your basic folding walker. Commonly grey and with tennis balls on the back. They are easily adjusted for user height and fold for transport. They are lightweight and are available with front wheels or just four legs. Common accessories for this would be; cup holder, front basket or bag, rear ski, and tray.
Rollators definitely have the most variety in terms of options. Rollators are walkers with a seat, wheels, and a brake system. While all rollators come with those options, most will offer different colors, wheel size, basket or bag, height adjustments, and more. While we will go over all these options, what color you want is squarely on you.
Hybrid walkers are the new kid on the block. They bring the best of both worlds being a wheelchair and a walker combined. Sounds great right? Well this piece of equipment does have very big pros and very big cons. It is two pieces of equipment in one. Very versatile and will save you money and space. But it is heavier than either type of equipment on its own. SO it is very important that you know exactly how you plan to transport it. Will weight be an issue putting it in and out of a car.
3 wheel walkers are very similar to rollators. they will have wheels and a braking system, basket and tray. But they do not have a seat. The 3 wheel walkers are a little easier to use inside, they fold up smaller and are easier to put into a car. If the seat is not needed then the 3 wheel walker may be for you.
