Rollator

A rollator is a wheeled walking frame. It can be used by an elderly person or anyone who struggles to walk and requires more support that can be offered by a walking stick.

A rollator is really a development from an old style walking frame where the person using the frame lifts the frame and moves it forward before taking a step forward. Using this kind of frame is secure, but it makes progress very slow and it can be hard for many people to lift the frame in order to move it in the walking direction.

The rollator overcomes the issues above by using wheels on its legs. A “proper” rollator will have either three or four legs with wheels on each of them, but an alternative hybrid version comes with four legs and wheels and only the front two. This type of frame is worked by using a “tipping” action when the frame is pushed forwards.

The three and four wheeler versions often have handle-bar style grips equipped with low pressure brakes and this means that all that is required to move the rollator forward is a gentle push. The application of the brakes brings any motion to a stop and the brakes have a lock function which means that the rollator can be held in its position at any time.

Many rollators have baskets and even small seats built into their frames, so they can be used for more than just walking around the house or garden. Most will fold-up or break down for easy transportation.