Walker (Junior, Standard, Bariatric), Walker with Seat, Rollator and Standing Rollators

Junior WalkerWalker with a SeatRollatorStanding Rollator

When To Order:

Walkers and rollators assist individuals with balance and gait issues. They reduce the risk of falls, improve the individual’s quality of life and address an individual’s fear of falling.

Walkers should be considered when a individual:

  • Experiences balance issues during sit to stand.
  • Experiences gait or balance issues while standing, walking, or turning.
  • Experiences balance issues while completing grooming, cooking, or other daily tasks.
  • Experiences lightheadedness, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension or other issues that may result in a fall.
  • Experiences pain, neuropathy, or other conditions resulting in a lack of equilibrium.
  • Experiences endurance challenges, including sarcopenia and shortness of breath on exertion.
  • Has a history of falls.
  • Has a fear of falling.

Medical Documentation:

The clinical care team needs to document in the individual’s medical record the following:

Selecting Equipment:

The following considerations impact the selection of equipment:

  • Walker should be used for fall prevention as soon as an individual experiences balance issues. This may occur while sitting to stand, while completing daily tasks or when getting out of bed at night. Early intervention is key to preventing the individual from having a fall.
  • Walker with seat, has a push down braking system.  It should be considered for individuals with manual dexterity issues and cognitive issues.
  • Walkers are not completely covered by insurance and will incur an upgrade fee.  The hand braking system on a rollator may make it inappropriate for individuals with cognitive issues or manual dexterity issues.
  • Standing rollators may be appropriate for individuals with good trunk control, tall individuals and individuals expected to fully rehab their mobility skills.