Choosing the Right Mobility Equipment: A Comprehensive Buyer's Guide Part 3 - Walker, Rollators and Canes

Welcome to Part 3 of our comprehensive Buyer's Guide series! At Motobility, we're committed to helping you find the perfect mobility solutions to enhance your independence and quality of life. In this guide, we’ll explore various types of walking aids—Walkers, Rollators, and Walking Sticks—and provide expert tips on selecting the right one for your needs. We’ll also discuss how these aids can complement other mobility devices, including Electric Wheelchairs, Mobility Scooters, Lift Chairs, and Adjustable Beds. 

Why Walking Aids Matter 

Walking aids can significantly improve your daily life. Here’s how: 

• Enhanced Stability: Walking aids offer crucial support to help you maintain balance and prevent falls. 

• Increased Independence: They allow you to perform daily activities with greater ease, boosting your autonomy. 

• Reduced Risk of Falls: By providing stability, walking aids help lower the risk of falls, especially for seniors or those with balance issues. 

• Improved Posture: Properly chosen aids promote better posture and reduce strain on your joints and muscles. 

• Extended Mobility: They enable you to participate in social activities and enjoy your surroundings more comfortably. 

How to Choose the Right Walking Aid 

Selecting the ideal walking aid involves considering both external and internal factors: 

External Factors 

1. Terrain: 

• Indoor Surfaces: Assess your home’s flooring—hardwood, carpet, tile, or uneven surfaces like rugs. 

• Outdoor Terrain: Consider outdoor pathways, sidewalks, and potential obstacles like curbs or uneven pavement. 

2. Space: 

• Maneuverability: Evaluate how the walking aid will fit in confined spaces such as hallways and doorways. 

• Storage: Determine where you can store the aid when not in use. 

3. Transportation: 

• Portability: Look for walking aids that are easy to transport, especially if you travel frequently. 

• Weight: Choose a walking aid that is manageable in terms of weight for lifting or carrying. 

Internal Factors 

1. Mobility Needs: 

• Strength: Assess your upper body strength and ability to support yourself with the aid. 

• Balance: Consider your balance and any specific needs for additional stability. 

• Endurance: Think about how long you’ll use the aid each day and the potential for fatigue. 

2. Comfort: 

• Handle Grip: Opt for a handle grip that feels secure and comfortable. 

• Height Adjustability: Ensure the aid can be adjusted to the correct height for your comfort. 

• Padding: Look for features like padded handles or seats for enhanced comfort. 

3. Preferences: 

• Style: Choose an aid that matches your personal style and preferences. 

• Colour and Design: Pick a design that reflects your personality. 

• Brand and Reputation: Research brands are known for quality and reliability. 

Types of Walking Aids 

Here’s a breakdown of the different types available: 

Walking Sticks/Canes 

Walking sticks, also known as canes, offer support and stability for individuals who need assistance with balance and mobility while walking. 

Single-Point Canes: Single-point canes feature a single tip at the base and are suitable for users who need minimal support. They come with several designs, including folding options. The image on right, features the Walkmate, a folding single-point walking stick.
Quad Canes: Quad canes have a wider base with four legs, offering increased stability and support for individuals with balance issues or weakness. Many times a Single Point Cane can easily be converted into a Quad Cane by adding a quad ferrule. The image on the right is a close-up of the Quad ferrule on the Steady Step Quad Walking stick, with inbuilt light.

Real-life scenario: Peter, a retired athlete with knee osteoarthritis, relies on his quad cane to maintain stability and mobility during walks. With his cane, he enjoys outdoor activities and stays active in his community. 

Walkers 

A walker is a mobility aid designed to provide stability and support for individuals who need assistance with balance and mobility. Unlike a rollator, which features wheels on all four legs and often includes a seat, a traditional walker has four legs that do not move independently. This design requires users to lift and advance the walker with each step, making it ideal for those who need extra stability but can manage the physical effort of lifting the device. Walkers are particularly useful for indoor environments and can be adjusted to fit a variety of user heights, offering a solid, dependable solution for enhancing mobility and safety. 

Standard Walkers: Feature four legs for stability. The image on the right features the iFrame folding Walker
Front-Wheeled Walkers: Include wheels on the front for easier movement. The image on the right features the ZimmerZoom folding front-wheeled walker.

Rollators 

A rollator is a versatile mobility aid designed to provide enhanced support and convenience for individuals who need assistance with walking. Unlike traditional walkers, rollators feature wheels on all legs, allowing users to push the device forward without lifting it. This design makes rollators ideal for smooth and uneven surfaces alike, as they glide easily across various terrains. All rollators come equipped with hand brakes for added control and a built-in seat for resting. This combination of features makes rollators an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor use, offering greater mobility and comfort for users who require a bit more assistance with their daily activities. 

Basic Rollators: Featuring four legs, a seat and a sturdy frame, standard walkers offer stability and support for users while walking. These Rollators are designed to be foldable, to allow for easy transport. Depending on the model they usually weigh around 7kg – 8kg. Most rollators allow for the handle height to be adjusted (please see image on the right Stryder- blue), while only some allow for the seat height to be adjusted also (see image on the right Tallboy - red). The images on the right feature the Tallboy Rollator (Red) and the Stryder Rollator (blue)
Three-Wheeled Rollators: 3-wheel rollators are similar to standard rollators but feature a triangular design with three wheels. They are lightweight and maneuverable, making them ideal for individuals who need support but prefer a more compact and agile option. As they only have 3 wheels they usually weigh in at around 5kg – 6kg, however, they also provide less stability. Making them more suitable for indoor use, well-paved surfaces or users who only require light assistance. Due to the triangular design, some models don’t allow for a seat but feature a tray or basket instead, please see the image on the right - Avanzo. If a seat is provided it is usually quite small, suiting petite users, please see the image on the right - Triad
Heavy-Duty Rollators: As the name suggests these rollators have the same features and adjustability as regular walkers but are built from more robust materials. Allowing for a higher user weight of over 200kg. However, these mobility aids are also heavier, weighing in around 11kg - 12kg. The image on the right features the Ellipse Heavy Duty Rollator.
Carbon Fiber Rollators: Similar to the regular rollators, these carbon-fibre models have been growing in popularity over the past few years. Due to the use of carbon fibre, they offer the stability of a 4-wheeled rollator, at a lighter weight of around 6.5kg.  The image on the right features the Ellipse Superlite Carbon Fiber Rollator.
Electric Rollators: As the name suggests these products are battery-powered and offer several different modes and benefits. A walk-assist function assists you when walking up hills, but subtly engages the motor as you push to make it easier for you. The resistance mode is great for individuals who struggle with balance, it adds more resistance to the product, meaning you can put more weight on it and lean on it, without feeling like the product will “roll away” from you. The image on the right features the Evo Elite, Multi-functional hybrid Electric Rollator.

Accessories 

• Walker and Rollator Accessories: Includes grip covers, safety lights, and bags. 

CONSIDERATIONS:  

Other Mobility Products 

Consider how walking aids work with other mobility products that you may use, like Mobility Scooters, Electric Wheelchairs, Adjustable Beds, Lift & Recline Chairs, and Stairlifts.  

For example, will you need to take your walking aid with your when you use your stairlift? If yes, a cane would be a better option than a walker or rollator. 

Do you use a Mobility Scooter, Wheelchair, Powerchair or Electric Wheelchair? If so, how will you transport your walking aid? 

Will you use your walking aid to make it easier to get in/out of bed or in/out of your recliner? If so, a walker or rollator would be more suitable than a walking stick, as it allows you to use both arms to distribute your weight better and reduce the risk of injury.  

Indoor/Outdoor Use 

• Indoor Use: Opt for compact and lightweight aids. Think about how you will navigate corners and walkways, without damaging your walls. Always think about how the product will perform in the smallest room of your home. Allowing you to turn around, without needing to lift the product or having to walk backwards.  

• Outdoor Use: Choose a rollator with larger wheels or opt for a quod cane over a standard cane. This will provide more stability on uneven surfaces and reduce the risk of “sinking” into soft surfaces such as lawns.  

Conclusion 

Choosing the right walking aid is crucial for maintaining mobility and independence. By evaluating your needs, preferences, and environment, you can find a walking aid that enhances your freedom and quality of life. Explore your options, and consult with healthcare professionals or mobility specialists to make an informed decision.  

The below table provides you with an overview of what has been discussed in this article