I think I should be considering a walker soon. My balance has deteriorated dramatically in the last two years. I now use two sticks for short distances, the garden, from car to supermarket etc, and one stick and walls and furniture indoors.
Although I have an electric wheelchair for outside, I'm finding it hard to emotionally move to this next step.
Does anyone have any advice please?
My mother had ataxia and was advised she should not have her three wheeled rollator because it was dangerous.
Therefore, when I went shopping for mine, I knew it had to have four wheels. I bought one with a seat, which is really useful.
Mine is quite heavy, which it makes it more robust. My husband has to lift it in and out of the car when going out, so something to bear in mind.
I didn't want to buy one but this has helped when going for appointments.
Thank you, some useful tips there xx
all taxi drivers know how to fold it, no probs.just have to keep empty what i do prior going to surgery, no appontm. covid19 my neuro rings me and works fine...monikax it is nhs one yes with a little storage, seat, tried 3wheels COULDN'T KEEP UP, for balancde better 4 wheels.the hospital physio taught me how to use it CORRECTLY.
I have a new lovely roller which has 4 wheels, 2 in front are 10" so can go over rough ground.. It only weighs about 17 lbs so I can lift it. It is a Nova Express. Other models . All have seats and fold up.
Thanks for that. I will keep a note of it and check it out when the time comes.
So glad that you're enjoying your rollator
At the moment, I have a lightweight rollator, I bought it around 2013 and at the the time it was sufficient to give me confidence. I used it in combination with a walking stick.Because ataxia can fluctuate, there are times when I feel the need for something with more weight to it, to keep me stable. Generally I use a walking stick outdoors, going door-to-door by car does away with the need for the rollator.
I can either invest in a different rollator, or attach weights to the existing one.
On the other hand, increasingly worsening Vestibular issues make me wonder if it would make things more tolerable if I used a wheelchair outdoors..
Indoors I manage reasonably well when I move slowly, but I don’t enjoy being outdoors..I have Oscillopsia and it has a dramatic effect on vision and balance..
I’ve tried walking with two hiking poles, but just can’t get a satisfactory rhythm..I don’t feel stable.
🙂Sorry, no useful advice ..I’m ruminating myself..
We obviously are both ruminating!!
I guess we'll make our decisions eventually
Xx
Quite simply in my case it lessened my dependence upon my wife and in so doing eased any burden I placed upon her. I have suffered ataxia for nine years. My walking was so shaky and so perilous (I am seventy seven years old) that I feared a fall which could easily result in a hip or pelvic injury. Hence I increasingly relied on my wife's presence when out in order to provide me with a stabilising arm. I purchased a four-wheeled walker which has enabled me to leave the house unaccompanied. I purchased it from an outfit called Careco and only regret not having made the move three or four years ago. I won't recommend a make as your choice needs to be fine tuned by your specific needs.
Thanks, interesting that you regret not getting one sooner! Hmmm helping make my mind up x
At 75, and having bouts of Ataxia, where I feel like I’m going to fall, it works for me that I have a three pronged cane, a shopping basket type Walker, and a 4 wheel Walker, with a seat, that I can choose from, depending upon how I’m doing each day. In stores, many times, I’ve used the plug in motor ‘scooters’; however, nowadays we pick up prescriptions, at the car window, and pick up groceries, in the parking lot of the store ( where somebody else has shopped for us ). Sometimes, we have groceries delivered. We seldom go into stores, to buy stuff. My wife is in heart failure, and gets winded easily. With my Ataxia, and Parkinson’s Disease symptoms, arthritis, and my age, it doesn’t seem worth taking chances, where I can fall. A number of years ago, we moved into a single home, where there are no steps, and the entire home is designed for making it convenient, for people who might have mobility and/or balance issues. The two sticks that you use to get around, are not good when you need traction, and help when your balance is off, in my opinion. In other words, my GP originally thought ski poles in both hands, when walking, would help me, but when I tried them, and then started to fall, they did not help much! I’m clumsy, and uncoordinated at times, because of Ataxia, so my orthopedic Doctor recommended using a three prong cane and/or a four wheel Walker, with a seat. Good luck, and I hope my experience helps in your decision making! Preventing falls, is the important concept that motivates me! I’ve had a broken leg, broken arm, concussion, black eyes, etc. from falling so many times, that I now do everything I can to protect myself!
Thank you for that information. I agree the most important thing is to keep ourselves safe when moving about.
You've really had some bad falls! I've not broken anything yet - but often have bruises on me.
Some food for thought
I’ve just ordered my first four-wheeled, collapsible, aluminium walker. I went to a showroom to choose one, there’s quite a selection available. I chose one that you can adjust the height of the handles and the height of the seat. The wheels look like they will go over grass and gravel paths if I’m careful, I wasn’t convinced by the suspension feature on other models. The brake handles aren’t as robust as you’d expect on a bicycle for example but I’m assured replacement parts are available
As for the emotional side – just get on with it is what I told myself
Hope this helps x
Yes, you're so right, just get on with it x
I used a four wheeled walker with a seat (height adjustable & collapsible which was useful for doorways) for many years for both inside & out. It was easy to put in the car when I drove, as it was lightweight. However I would say be cautious & try them out before purchasing because we are all different. Remember the lighter the rollator is, can be useful for lifting over curbs & gravel or grass etc but they can easily tip, so everything has pros & cons! Do your homework & find one that best suits you and your purse! If you use a cane, then some do have cane holders. A seat is useful not only to rest but to put things on for transportation to other rooms or garden. I used to put a washing basket on when pegging out to save bending. It was very useful. Also it can be used like a 'perching stool' in the kitchen or even instead of a chair. also handy when visiting other people. I know it's hard transitioning - i used walking sticks (one initially, then two) but felt I needed more support, so I bought a rollator. My mum uses them now, as she's getting older. I don't need them, as I'm a full time wheelchair user now. Forget about other people + their thoughts, as long as you are safe that's all that matters.
Hope you find one that's suitable. I've seen ones that have elbow supports now, so ull stand taller but I don't think they're cheap,!
Thanks for that x
Don’t even think about it Alison just get one but get the best one for you. You’ll never regret buying one but maybe the best advice is try to manage as long as you can without one. I had quite a bad fall so bought one in haste but need it at certain times in the morning and evenings when my balance goes to pot. I try to manage most of the day with furniture and walls but can’t even manage one step outside without my walker, have 3 different ones now. One in the car, one for walking round the village which lives in the conservatory with wiped wheels 😉and one for difficult times in the house when I need extra support. Am still doing your chair sit ups which definitely keep my legs stronger. Take care Louise xx
Thank you for your advice and I'm so glad that you're still doing the chair sit ups. I do them regularly too xx
Hi,In the past two years I have seen a great number of Google Rollator is made with literally cannot be overturned, they also offer much higher ones as they know full world is not the greatest of positions to walk in.
I was at the NEC Naidex show a few months ago and they had demos of the one new one to the UK market which can be taken off road and can’t be overturned.
I remember reading some recommendations previously on this forum as well.
Let us know what you find!
Thank you so much xx
This is the one that was mentioned:mylifeglider.com
I just love the idea that you can feel safe that you won’t fall
Wow that looks good. And you won't be prone to lean forward which is one of my worries!
Using the proper Rollator, you will stand straight without bending forward.
Yes, that was the video someone posted and I just loved the ideayahoo.com/now/walker-provid...
Wow that looks amazing! I want one! Just have to see the cost!!!
Our son got worse much faster (his type of ataxia is very aggressive in juvenile onset), so we went directly to Grillo ormesa.com/en/_grillo/
i use a chair when going multiple places, but i also have 2 walkers. the cheaper one is b/w those fancy shmancy rollators and the old frame with tennis balls. i prefer the fancier one as it's light enough for me to lift and sturdy enough to lean on; also it has a thing i can pull down and use as a chair. i got the cheaper one on amazon and the nicer one from my neuro. perhaps the nurse can assist you in selecting one? if you get a prescription, it will be much cheaper.
Thanks. Yes I would definitely get professional assistance when choosing one that's correct for me. With a prescription a large part of it would be paid for - I live in France
Aw Wibbly wobbly it's just rubbish and I guess you need emotional and practical advice. Practically Beth has a 4 wheeled seated Drive Nitro walker. She's actually got two and they've been best out of various walkers we've tried. On an emotional level I think (for what it's worth), that this is loss and it's right to take time to grieve and not be annoyed at yourself for feeling grief. The grief will pass and part of the journey will just be to acceptance that this is something that cannot change. Take care and you will overcome this pain just like you've overcome all the pain to date and there will still be golden moments ahead even with a walker, hold tight x
Thank you for your very understanding reply xx
Hi Wibb
Winning Ataxia is not getting rid of it because as we all know that can’t be done, winning Ataxia is coming it terms with it, accepting it and making the best of your life.
One of the important things we can do is to keep ourselves from injury as just a small injury like a sprained wrist could make mobility a lot harder, so the things that are not a big problem for people without this condition are a lot more problematic to us lucky people with Ataxia.
So do whatever you need to do to keep yourself safe and mobile.
You take care my friend.
I totally agree. Thanks xx
For outside activity, I love my thealinker.com/. It's also great for traveling through airports with. This is what I use inside, drivemedical.com/us/en/prod....
Best of luck. 
Thank you for that, I shall investigate further xx
I actually answered this on your other post! I love my Rollator!
the best thing possible, I am a widow and CANNOT MOVE WITHOUT IT.I have 2 one for out ONLY, indoors ONLY.both NHS property, indoors a bit heavy duty, but used to it by now...CANNOT WALK ANYWHERE WITHOUT THE AID.better than motorised, must keep fitTRY TO KEEP AS SUPLE AS YOU CAN.i exercise body core, and wsalkevery day...all the best.monika x
I bought a Trionic Veloped with 14" wheels in September 2019. It has pneumatic tyres and disc brakes so is good on uneven or rough ground and going down hills. It's weight means it feels safe, but it's heavy to push up steep hills. The wheels go on and off easily for loading it into the car- my husband does this as my balance is so poor.The climbing wheel copes easily with kerbs, fallen branches, stony or rutted tracks. We keep it in the garage ready for walking locally and going in the garden.
Shortly after buying this I got a carbon fibre Mobiles Gepard rollator with 8" wheels. This is very light so I can lift it in and out of the car myself, and is good if just going into a supermarket, café, pub etc. I can lift it up and down kerbs. However, even very small irregularities in the ground mean it stops suddenly, and being so light it is less stable. When we went to Angus for a week last year we took both rollators- and a folding Zimmer!
I now have a Topro Olympos ATR with 10" wheels which we keep in the boot. I can just about lift it in and out of our boot, and this would be easier with some other cars. It is heavy enough to feel stable and copes with rough ground, albeit not as comfortably or easily as the Veloped. I need to use dropped kerbs when crossing the road as my poor balance means I can't use the tilt pedal.
I've used all three devices in shops, cafés, pubs etc. and they fold down easily to reduce the width- handy for narrow spaces. The Veloped is my favourite, and we take it with us for "proper" walks. The Olympos ATR is more convenient for ordinary life. Indoors I use a braked trolley with a thick cork mat on the top tray for hot pans etc. I have a folding Zimmer for use in other people's homes.
I hope this helps.
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