How To Use A Rollator Walker

How to use a rollator properly

In some circumstances, older people and people who suffer from weather that affect their physical status struggle with mobility and may require additional assist. Walking aids are items that have been designed to improve the mobility of these people and as a result can requite them more than freedom and amend their confidence and quality of life.

Walking aids come in unlike shapes and sizes to match the needs of the user. One of the virtually common is the rollator - a walking aid that encourages the user to walk but likewise incorporates extra features that can make mobility as like shooting fish in a barrel and comfortable as possible. In this blog, we explain what a rollator is, how it differs from other walking aids and how you lot can utilize one.

What is a rollator?

Sometimes known every bit a rollator walker or rolling walker, a rollator is finer a walker or walking frame with wheels on the bottom. Usually fitted with 3 or four wheels, a rollator typically also has additional features including a storage pouch that is usually situated at the front, brakes and a fold out seat to support the user during moments where they're not moving.

What is a rollator used for?

An constructive solution for people that need additional assist with walking, rollators have become a popular culling to walkers that carry many benefits. Along with storage and seating, the wheels on the bottom are peculiarly helpful for people that are defective in concrete forcefulness but are able to walk with help.

While traditional walkers keep to be a tried and tested walking assist, rollators help people that need even more assistance by rolling along the flooring instead of needing to exist frequently picked upwardly for movement.

How to use a rollator

Walking with a rollator is a simple process, just for some people, it tin can be difficult to know how to approach information technology, especially if they've never used one before.

Instructions for using a rollator:

i. Stand directly behind the rollator

2. Put both hands around the handles, grip firmly and ensure that the breaks are within accomplish of your fingers

3. Walk naturally but lean all of your weight towards your feet, but using the rollator for remainder and boosted support

4. When you want to stop, opposite this process and consider where y'all desire to movement adjacent before moving away from the rollator.

Can you push button someone in a rollator?

Although you may think that a seat is fitted to a rollator and so it tin exist used every bit a wheelchair, it's actually only provided and so users can sit in information technology when they're stationary. In fact, rollators don't have the necessary strength or carrying weight to be used as seated transport for users to be pushed effectually on.

Due to this, it's strongly advised that users aren't pushed around on a rollator as it could become damaged, potentially causing damage to the user and the person pushing them.

Can a rollator be used as a wheelchair?

The purpose of a rollator is to improve the ability for users to walk. As such, information technology isn't designed to agree the full weight of users or transport them as a wheelchair or mobility scooter would.

Unlike these other forms of walking assist, a rollator is intended for people that only demand additional support with standing or walking. If yous require this level of help with your mobility, a wheelchair or mobility scooter would be meliorate suited than a rollator.

How to fold a rollator

Whenever you lot're not using your rollator, you may decide to fold information technology away and then it can easily exist transported or stored. Due to its lightweight frame, the rollator is typically one of the simplest walking aids to fold away. Simply pull upward on the seat, button both sides together and allow the two sides of the rollator to meet in the center.

You can now motility it much more easily and it will be more compact for storage in a cupboard at home or in the boot of your car if y'all're planning on using it to navigate shops, restaurants or other outdoor areas.

How to lock brakes on a rollator

On a rollator, there are typically two different sets of brakes: the brakes that are fastened to the handles for stopping the rollator during motion and the brakes that are designed to lock the wheels in place, designed to be used when you are stationary.

The first set of brakes are used temporarily and applied by squeezing the trigger on the handles. The 2nd set is sometimes controlled behind the handles in a mechanism that locks the wheels. However, in some cases, you will need to lock the wheels manually equally you lot would on a traditional wheelchair past pushing a lever next to each wheel to prepare the private locks onto them

Source: https://www.chums.co.uk/blog/how-to-use-a-rollator-properly

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