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What you need to know before you Buy a Wheeled Walker!

By: KT

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Wheelie wlakers are also known as Rolling walkers, Rollators, Wheeled Walkers, A Frame Walkers and Shopper Walkers. They are most often used by the elderly. The wheelie walker is designed to provide support so the person using it can maintain their balance and relieve their legs from some of their weight. Wheeled walkers are also ideal for people who may be recuperating from leg or back operations and injuries so that they can still get about whilst still a little unsteady on their feet.

A Wheelie walker is basically a frame that is about waist high and has wheels on its legs. Rollator with smaller wheels (6"- 15 cm) are built for indoor use; while those with larger wheels (8" - 20cm) are ideal for outdoor travel on uneven surfaces. A walker is usually slightly wider than the person using it and most have no trouble fitting through doorways. They are on average only about a 12" or 30 cm deep.

A person should walk with the Wheelie walker in front of them with the frame of the walker surrounding their front and sides, so it should be close. Most walkers have padded seats built into them that flip up so that the walker can be folded for transport.

A rollator or wheeled walker will enable you to keep your balance along with improving your posture at the same time. The walker is designed to give you adequate support when walking and to help you from tiring quickly. If you do get tired while using your walker you can rest by sitting on the seat. You can also carry items with you while using a wheelie walker by getting one with a under seat or front basket attached. It is recommended to get a model with the basket under the seat if you have balance problems that way you are not leaning to far forward to access items in the basket. Other accessories for wheelie walkers include drink holders and plastic trays.

Make sure your wheelie walker is the right size for you especially if you are short under 5'2" tall or over 6'0" tall. You shouldn't have to reach or bend too far to use one. Your wrists should line up with the top of the walker's handles. You should also make sure the seat is in the right range for you. The Australian Standard seated height is 50cm from the floor to top of seat. So you will see most average size wheelie walkers with a floor to seat height of 49cm or 50cm. If your knees are bent 90 degrees or more when sitting down, the seat is too low and you may have difficulty when you try to stand up.

The Wheeled walkers are designed to hold a specific amount of weight so make sure your walker can handle your body weight. The standard in Australia is 100kgs. The walkers themselves are relatively lightweight and generally range in weight from about 5kgs to 8kgs. Heavier walkers are more stable and hevay duty whilst lighter models are easier to pack, store and transport. Rollators come in various sizes, styles, designs, shapes and materials. They can be found in cable brakes, push down brakes and with foreram supports. There can also be rigid models and foldable models.

When selecting a walker, keep the following in mind:

Size - Your wrists should meet the top of the handles of the walker, you shouldn't have to reach for them.

Seat Height - If your preferred seat height is 50cm than match this, if the seat is too low you will have difficulty standing up. If it is too high you will not have your feet on the floor.

Seat width - If you need a little more room than 45cm between the arms then you will need to select a wider model of wheelie walker.

Wheel Size - Rollators generally have four wheels. Larger wheels will allow smooth outdoor travel, while small wheels are ideally suited for indoors.

Accessories - Can include baskets, removable plastic trays, cup holders and more.

Weight Load Capacity - Should support a little more than the user's weight in order to transport items in the basket. Lightweight models will support up to 100kgs, and heavy-duty models up to 200kgs.

Walkers Lifting Weight - Most range from 5 to 8 kgs. Heavier means more stable, but light means easy to pack and transport.

Visit http://www.accessibility.com.au to see detailed specifications, photographs and videos of our wheeled walkers to buy.

Kerrie Thomsen
Occupational Therapist

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Kerrie Thomsen Occupational Therapist www.accessibility.com.au Youtube: myaccessiblelife1 Get a Unique Version of this Article Article Marketing

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