MIL is currently using an older fold up aluminum walker someone gave to her. We would like to get her one with a basket and seat. Is there a recommended brand we should watch for? We would have no difficulty getting an RX and submitting it to her Medicare and supplemental, but we also are happy to get a used one from CraigsList. Are they different heights? Brakes or no brakes? Any advice would be helpful.
Always something to think about!
My mom loved her rollator walker. But her mobility got so bad that she leans too hard on the walker and that makes the rollator unsafe. The seat was nice but it does not take the place of a transport wheelchair.
There is a more expensive version of the rollator walker that is made for folks with real complex mobility issues. Instead of squeezing the handbrakes to stop you must squeeze to go. It also has the ability to cue the person to take a step as folks with Parkinsons and some other issues might need that. I forget the brand but I saw it advertised in Neurology Now magazine.
I have purchased several walkers on amazon and wayfair.com. The important feature is height. Mom says she is 5 ft tall but it has been a while since she stood that tall. She needs a walker that is less than 30 inches high and that is difficult to find. We had to return a few. (both Amazon and Wayfair were good about that).
Last one we got was a bright pink one (amazon) and wheels that we put on front only. We have skis in the back. This works great and look better than the "ugly" aluminum.
In our community, there is a non-profit that serves the elderly and disabled and they have a loaner closet of walker, wheelchairs, shower chairs, and other equipment and supplies that they make available at NO COST. Check your local senior center or town/city government and find out if one is in your area. They sometimes have wait lists for popular items (like rollators and transport chairs) but they are a GREAT resource.
Mom, on the other hand, tried Dad's rollator and she couldn't figure out the brakes... probably one reason she never could master bike riding when younger.
The private drug stores usually have one already assembled to try out. I recommend an elder do a test-drive with one of these rollators to see if they are comfortable with it. Then you can either buy it at the drug store, or buy it on-line. We took the drug store one as it was already assembled, and that in itself was worth the price :)
if you buy used make sure you take your loved one so she can try it. They are all very adjustible as far as height is concerned except for the very tall. The handles need to be up high enough for the loved one to walk comfortably. I found a new one at a garage sale for $35. I did not need it at the time but now I use it when walking the country road around my home. It is nice to be able to sit and just listen to the birds while I rest awile. Not good for uneven ground like gravel roads as most wheels are too small to roll comfortably
My sister is in memory care, has vascular dementia, and is a fall risk due to some brain damage. She is using a walker now, with wheels and brakes and a seat, and it is working out perfectly for her. It helps keep her from falling and she is freer to take walks around the facility for some exercise. You can find rollators like it online, and Walgreens shipped for free.
My hubby, moderate parkinsons, uses a walker most of the time. We found one that folds easily to go in the car, 'Nitro Drive 4 Wheel Rollator,' for $200. It has larger wheels than most, I like that it folds easily and has a little strap to hold it so it will stand upright in the folded position, taking up less space if you go into a restaurant or somewhere. The heights are adjustable on most models.
My hubby also uses a walker to help support his weight when knee pain gets too much. The kind without wheels look so awkward to me, they have to be picked up and set down with each step, but they do help prevent falls.
These are just my experience with my two dear ones, someone else will know more about walkers in general.