Walking aids can change lives. For individuals with limited mobility, walking aids pave the road back to freedom and independence. These simple assistive devices give seniors the “legs” they need to live the life they want. Walking aids are designed to increase stability and supplement muscle action while reducing the load on weight-bearing joints and bones. Some of the most popular walking aids used by elders are aluminum folding walkers and rollers, also known as rolling walkers or rollators. Understanding the difference will help you decide which is the better walking aid for your parent.

Basically, walkers are devices with four legs and two handles that people lift up and place in front of them for stability when walking. Rollators on the other hand have wheels. The most common designs have either three or four wheels and are equipped with a locking system that makes them safe and easy to use. Both rollators and walkers can fold for easy travel and storage.

So should you opt for a walker or a rollator? That all depends on how strong or frail the user is. The benefit of a rollator is its wheels. Wheels offer ease of movement and give the person who tires quickly additional support. A rollator doesn’t require lifting; a walker does. A rollator, however, does require that the user be mobile enough to control it. Another thing to keep in mind is that a rollator may not be ideal for someone who is forgetful or has memory lapses—he or she may have trouble remembering how to use the hand brakes on a rollator. This can lead to frustration and even serious falls. Consider also that arthritic hands and wrists may be unable to squeeze the hand brake on a rollator, so be sure to test this feature out before you buy. The rollator won’t be useful to your parent if it's painful to brake!

If your parents get frustrated easily or have difficulty lifting even lightweight items, a walker may be more of hindrance, and a rollator would be a better fit. Also, a rollator is easier to maneuver outdoors, across grass, gravel and pavement. In essence, a rollator provides all the benefits of a traditional walker, but is much easier to use. With a rollator, a trip to the grocery store or even the shopping mall is possible again.