Choosing The Best Bariatric Walkers and Rollators

Mobility devices can help you overcome one of your biggest challenges—getting around more easily. Using a walker or a rollator can enhance your independence and provide support to ease back pain or other back issues. A walker features a fixed base—typically a rubber tip—at the end two or all of its four legs; glides can make movement easier and reduce the amount of picking up and moving the walker forward. A rollator has wheels at the end of all four legs; these may be large and sturdy enough to wheel indoors on carpets and uneven surfaces and outdoors on pavement and even grass.

Some features are the same for both rollators and walkers, but because movement is faster with a rollator, these devices often have additional features related to braking.

Top bariatric walker and rollator features:

• 1" aluminum tube construction that offers strength plus maneuverability
• Weight capacity that meets your bodyweight
• Adjustable handles or legs to accommodate your height, often in 1” increments
• Contoured and/or textured handgrips for comfort
• Folding design if you travel a lot by car and want to take it with you

The additional features can enhance the safety and comfort of a bariatric rollator:

• Under-seat basket for carrying personal items
• Ergonomic hand grips with easy-to-use locking loop brakes that you pull up to stop and push down to lock
• A wider, padded cushion seat—from 17 to 20 inches or more—for increased seating surface and added comfort when you want to take a rest
• Durable, heavy-duty 8" wheels for indoor and outdoor use

Today’s mobility devices definitely have more design appeal, too. The Lumex Walkabout Four-Wheel Imperial model in available in black or burgundy. It also folds quickly and easily into a compact unit for storing and transporting and has added rear reflectors that increase visibility at night.

A streamlined profile will help you more easily maneuver around your home. The Invacare Bariatric Rollator features a deep, wide frame yet with a reduced overall width designed to fit easily through standard household doorways.

If dexterity is a challenge, look for an easy-to-fold walker like Medline’s Deluxe Bariatric Walker with its two-button folding design—easy-to-use push-button mechanisms that can be operated by the fingers, a palm or side of a hand. Each side of this lightweight walker operates independently to make opening or closing it a breeze.