recommendations for a rollator

[Sandydemop]

Hi Everyone, do you have a recommendation for a rollator you like? Are there any ones I should stay away from? You always have so much helpful information to share. I'm thinking it should weigh less than 15 pounds but not necessarily and have a good warranty. thanks in advance.

[agate]

I've had this rollator for nearly 6 years and have had no problems with it. It was easy to put together too. Amazon says I ordered this one but actually mine doesn't have the bag. It has a basket that hooks onto the front of it. Not sure this will work as a link but if you look up "Drive rollators" on Amazon you'll find some that are of that general type.

smile.amazon.com/gp/product...

[erash]

I have a no frills rollator — got 1st thru insurance but they only pay for new one every 5 yrs. After 2 yrs the wheels were starting to erode. Got same thing on Amazon

Drive Medical 10257BL-1 4-Wheel Rollator Walker With Seat & Removable Back Support, Blue

[starlight5]

I suggest having a separate rollator for outside and when you go somewhere. That way you aren't bringing dirt in and the wheels last longer on the indoor one.

I have three, a first floor, a downstairs, and an old one that lives in the garage for when I leave the house.

The one I like best and use most I got from msaa free equipment and it is the lightest of the 3, it's surprising how much difference a few pounds makes, especially when folding up to put in a vehicle. The one through insurance is heavier so it lives downstairs as it isn't used as often. They are all Drive brand.

I bought an upright rollator over a year ago but don't use it, plastic is still on the wheels🙁 I had hoped to start walking with it outside for exercise but it is too tippy for my comfort and the seat too narrow and high for me. It doesn't work well on carpet and is too bulky for indoors.

[Sandydemop in reply to starlight5]

that is a great idea thanks!

[Sandydemop]

sounds good. but not at the same time.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hiya darlin! Check out MSAA 1st to see if they can help you! mymsaa.org/msaa-help/assist...

🤗💕🌠

[Sandydemop in reply to Jesmcd2]

thanks Jes ❣️

[Robsmom]

I have the Drive Champaign edition. I love it and went the airline sent me a loaner it was the regular Drive rollator. I almost took a tumble several times because mine is so much sturdier.

Drive Champaign edition.

[Sandydemop in reply to Robsmom]

thanks very much!

[palomino27]

I have virtually tried them all. I liked the Drive Medical Nitro Foldable Rollator Walker with Seat, a.co/d/6a9EKC0. It folds up for easy transport and is light.

[Sandydemop in reply to palomino27]

thank you so much.

[MsBoo]

I have purchased many rollators in my time.. 3 wheeled ones, and 4 wheeled ones, and the one I have now is one that has a pull out foot rest and it can be used as a wheel chair type.. husband got it for me after my breast cancer surgery I had to have radiation.. and the walk to that area of the hospital was forever.. all but the 3 wheeled one were Drive models.. Highly recommend them.. you are given instructions on how to adjust the brake system and all kinds of helpful stuff..

[Sandydemop in reply to MsBoo]

thanks MsBoo I had a feeling i would find expert advice here.

[Mollyabigail]

Maybe it depends on how much money you are willing to spend? I keep a Drive rollator here at work for wobbly days. And an identical one in my vehicle for shopping, etc., Both came from my local Wal-mart. But last week I saw a Hugo rollator that I almost salivated over. They are more expensive (Amazon.com), but so much more substantial. You get what you pay for, I suppose. You will find the right one for you.😊

[Sandydemop in reply to Mollyabigail]

thanks Molly

[sashaming1]

I use a NOVA GetGO. No complaints. Maybe insurance will help pay for it,

[Tazmanian]

good luck I have a drive nitro it's my second one I like it and my son says it goes fast because it's red

[Sandydemop in reply to Tazmanian]

must be true. did you know red cars get more speeding tickets?

[Tazmanian in reply to Sandydemop]

yes

[BlanketTime1]

someone else probably already said this, but if you get a prescription from you doctor, you can go to a mobility place. if you're worried about them trying to sell you something horrid, take your phone. you can either look it up or ask folks on here. if that's too time consuming, you could snap a picture of a few and/or write down their names. later if it's not too hard going back and forth, you could go back once you know which one you want.

i have two. one was my dad's, is heavy duty and doesn't fold up. the other i bought on amazon (didn't know about prescription) and while it folds, it's a bit clunkier to move when i ride with someone. good luck finding one!

[Sandydemop in reply to BlanketTime1]

Much appreciated BlanketTime1 I learn something new here every day. How would getting an rx help?

[BlanketTime1 in reply to Sandydemop]

for one thing when you have the prescription and go to a mobility place, they can measure you properly, tell you about the different frames and it won't cost as much.🤗

[Sandydemop in reply to BlanketTime1]

tyvm

[Frances_B]

Walkers that fold up side to side and have an X shaped frame underneath the seat tend to feel a lot less stable than the boring ordinary type shown in falalalala's picture. The side to side folders also tend to be less comfortable if you have to sit on them for any period of time. Large wheels are more "user friendly" and versatile than small wheels - the 8" wheels (or bigger) are intended for use outdoors, the tiny 6" wheels are really only suitable for indoor use.

Four wheeled walkers are a lot more stable than three wheeled walkers, the 3 wheelers are a bit more manoeuvrable and sometimes can be better for inside use provided the user is pretty mobile and is a low falls risk. You also can't sit on three wheelers if you're out and about and your legs get tired.

In my experience I've also found it better to have proper rubber treads on the wheels, some cheaper (and some not so cheap) walkers have hard plastic wheels and they tend to slip if you are going downhill on concrete paths and you put your brakes on. I've also found that hand-grips of proper rubber are better than plastic hand-grip - if the plastic ones get wet your hands tend to slip - which is not what you want if it's raining and your going up or down hill.

I also agree with having an indoor and an outdoor walker - it's amazing how much crap gets picked up on the wheels and traipsed inside, especially if it's been raining. You can always try and pick up a cheap one 2nd hand through various sources such as Facebook Marketplace for your local area etc. You'd be surprised how often almost new walkers get sold at very reasonable prices - often because an older person had one, didn't use it much, and has now died so the family just sell stuff off cheap to get rid of it.

My number one piece of advice though - go for function not looks. A walker is a tool for a job and it does't matter how "pretty" it looks, if it doesn't do the job it supposed to do then it's a complete waste of money. You can always "bling up" a plain boring walker with transfers and decals and car wrap sheets - and have a ot of fun doing so and personalising it into something that's fun and totally individual.

[Sandydemop in reply to Frances_B]

thanks Frances_B much appreciated.