Narrow Rollator / Narrow Walkers With Seats

Narrow Rollators Can Benefit Many Users

Narrow rollators present many benefits to smaller-sized individuals. From adolescents to adults, many users prefer narrow rollator walkers over standard rollators as a means of mobility assistance. A person’s independence often matters greatly to them, and they want to be able to walk as easily and independently as possible. What many take for granted in terms of one’s capacity to maintain independence, many seniors and disabled citizens treasure highly. Yet these narrow walkers are used for more purposes than the mere ability to walk, however:

Advanced Posture and Gait Assurance

One thing remains certain about all rollators, including narrow rolling walkers: they can improve posture and the user’s walking gait. As our bodies either age or endure the consequences of various disabilities, we have a natural tendency to “wobble”. Ultra narrow rollators can fix this, providing both posture correction and walking gait correction brokered by their size. Their small size prevents swaying side to side and helps users maintain as straight a stride as possible.

Less Muscle Fatigue

Standard walkers need to be lifted with each step in order for the user to move forward. This also applies to hybrid walkers (with two wheels on the front), and the constant lifting is often reported by users as exhausting in many cases. By having a narrow 4-wheel walker, a user can move about without having to worry about lifting, and can simply move forward more effortlessly, while keeping a grip on the hand grips and handbrakes. These models also allow for faster movement because of their constant contact with the ground. The wheel is scientifically proven to reduce friction and increase movement, and these options are engineered to leverage this natural advantage. Science has proven that many things can move easier and better on wheels as compared to options that depend on direct force.

Further, a narrow walker with wheels and a seat can provide a resting place for users. Most standard walker and cane users don’t have the option for the user to sit anywhere they want to, and have to actually search for a place to rest when their legs tire from all of the increased walking they must do. When using a rollator that has a seat on it (as almost all 4-wheel rollators do), a person can simply lock the wheels in place with the wheel brakes and take a seat for a few minutes until they regain their strength. This is a more common feature in 4-wheel walkers, however. Unfortunately, though, many 3-wheel narrow rollators do have increased mobility, but they don’t provide a seat for users to sit on.

Help Provide Mobility for Health Disorders

Many users can benefit from a narrow walker with a seat (and sometimes even one without). Senior citizens often suffer from arthritis, and many of the features on rollators are optimized for these users. Examples include ergonomic and cushioned handgrips, as well as a cushioned seat and backrest bar (and pad). Fibromyalgia patients can also greatly benefit from using a rolling walker because it provides increased stability and balance for those sufferers in severe cases.

Rehabilitate Users from Surgeries

People who have had a knee or hip surgery often have trouble with mobility, sometimes for the rest of their lives. After an orthopedic surgery, a user may need to use a walker or even a walking cane, but these both have their downsides. They provide exceptional support, and eventually a person may advance to the point that they don’t need these means of transportation assistance. They may not particularly need a wheelchair, but still need help getting around. In these situations, a narrow rollator may prove to be the best option.

The Secret is the Frame

One thing to note is that the narrow rollator’s frame is what makes a narrow rollator petite. These rollators may not be small in terms of height, and they’re almost all height adjustable. However, the frame itself is the key to making a rollator narrow. The seats are often smaller and so is the distance and spacing between both the left and right wheels as well as the handlebars. Petite rollators may also have smaller wheels (such as 6-inch wheels) and some outdoor all-terrain models may feature 8-inch caster wheels. Both of these options are still optimal for smaller users to operate the rolling walker on many different types of terrains. Some narrower rollators can even double as transport chairs when needed

As Sturdy as Standard Rollators

Most frames for small rollators can accommodate approximately 250 lbs. to 300 lbs. This is the designated weight capacity on most standard rollators as well, but one difference is that the frame is of a minimalist design. Many frames are extremely lightweight, and often weigh anywhere from 10lbs. to 22 lbs. They also still have the folding functionality of most rollators, making them excellent for travel and portability. The frames are also made of aluminum, one of the most common metals used for manufacturing standard rollators (some bariatric models may use steel or titanium but they are less common and more expensive). This allows them to be both lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to use as well.

Accessories

While there are a few smaller and narrower rollators that don’t come with any accessories, many of them do. Most rollators come with carrying bags or baskets under the seat (three wheel models may have them in between the rear wheels). Indeed, there are numerous accessories that a person can buy separately to add to their rollator, from cup holders, all the way to oxygen-tank holders, emergency respiratory kits, and more. Do keep in mind that any of these will count toward the user’s allowable weight capacity, though.

At AvaCare Medical, we want to hear from you if you’re needing a narrow rollator! All of our rollators are available with manufacturer’s warranties and come with free shipping. If you have any questions or would like help with your order, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-877-813-7799 during business hours to reach a customer care representative!