Secure Your Rollator – HME Maintenance Tips

Like any piece of equipment that has moving parts, not to mention those that are imperative for your safety, walker style rollators require an active maintenance schedule. The wheels for instance can either be made of a hard plastic wheel wrapped in a molded piece of rubber or come with wheels similar to a bicycle or car that have an inflatable tube within a durable rubber tire. If the rollator you own happens to be the latter, than the occasional examination & fill will keep your wheels rolling for a long time. Below are some maintenance tips to ensure you get the best possible return on your rollator investment:

Once a week, wipe the frame down to remove any dust and dirt. A little dish soap, bucket & small towel are more than sufficient to accomplish the task. If your rollator has gotten wet or where you both have been caught in the rain or snow, it’s a best practice to dry it off as soon as possible. Depending on the chair, if your model also act like a bench for you to sit on, it’s a good idea to inspect the seat for wear & tear as well.

Much like a bicycle, it’s important to check the brakes to make sure they are in proper working order. If you are unsure on how to make adjustments to your brakes, you can look around the manufacturer’s website for additional information & many have videos posted that will walk you through some of the basic maintenance steps.

Since the rollator is going to help give you some additional support, it’s important to make sure that all hand & height adjustments are secure before use. Take care to make sure that the locking mechanisms are in place & engaged before you try putting any weight on the rollator out of concern that improper latching may inadvertently cause the rollator to collapse. Last thing you want when stepping off of a curb is having the rollator fold up causing you to fall.

The grips on your rollator are another part of the equipment that needs regular & routine inspection. Due to use or even the weather/humidity, the grips on your rollator can become loose & move. Care should be given to making sure your grips are snug & secure to prevent accidental slipping which can result in injuries to your wrist or worse yet, a fall.

Periodically inspect all wheels for wear or damage. The front caster wheels should swivel freely. If the casters do not move freely, contact a professional service center to repair the rollator. Do not use the rollator if any moving parts do not work properly as they were designed to do. All wheels MUST be in contact with the floor at all times during use. This will ensure that the rollator is properly balanced.

Additionally, it is recommended that you check to make sure that all hardware and parts are securely tightened. If any parts happen to be broken, damaged or worn; please service your rollator with the recommended & approved parts from the manufacturer to ensure everything fits & is secured for your use. Subpar parts can lead to unintended accidents.

MyCareHomeMedical.com offers a variety of affordable home medical products to help patients & their caregivers save money. Caregivers are eligible to receive a discount on every order, contact us for more information: support@mycarehomemedical.com

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Chris_Loeser/1735836

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Choosing a Rollator Or Folding Walker

What can a rollator or walker do for you or your loved one? These mobility aids give you back your independence, reduce the risk of losing your balance or falling, and increase your confidence in walking, standing, and performing daily tasks that require mobility.

Walkers come in several different styles, including the wheeled rollator and the folding walker.

Folding Walkers

Folding walkers are the most economical choice. They include a simple aluminum frame with four legs. The walker may include wheels on the back legs, glide caps, or no wheels. The biggest advantages of the folding walker are its budget-friendly price and its compact size. It easily folds down for storage and transport, and its light weight means that it’s easy to lift and move.

Rollators

Rollators are a step up from folding walkers. Some rollators have three wheels, while others have four. Four wheeled rollators offer greater stability, but three wheeled rollators are easier to maneuver.

With rollators, there is no lifting involved, and the user is able to move at a faster pace or slow down by squeezing the hand brakes. The loop lock brakes on the handles allow the user to lock the wheels in place and rest on the built-in seat (available on most four wheeled rollators). This feature is a huge advantage for individuals who need to rest often. They can easily take a break at any time without needing to find a chair.

Another advantage of rollators is that the wheels swivel, making them easier to turn. The oversized wheels available on some rollators make it easier to walk and roll on any surface, either indoors or outdoors.

Professional Advice

If you are deciding between a folding walker and a wheeled rollator, you may want to consult a physical therapist or healthcare professional for assistance in determining your needs. They can help you find just the right mobility aid for your situation.

Copyright 2010 Roll Mobility. Our passion at Roll Mobility is making premium quality wheelchairs, transport chairs, walker rollators, and mobility products available to our customers at affordable prices. We strive to keep our customers at the heart of what we do. Visit us today at RollMobility.com, The Mobility Store You Can Trust.

You can find out more about choosing the right mobility products at the Roll Mobility Blog, located on our website.

Reprint Rights: Feel free to reprint this article, provided that the article is published in its entirety as written and includes the copyright section, author bio, and active URL links.

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Spotting the Supreme Rollator or Walking Aid

Rollators are a kind of wheeled walker with brakes, which is designed to hold upper-body weight and assist people with walking limitations to enjoy greater mobility and shun fatigue.

Different from traditional medical walkers, which need to be raised with each step, a rollator glides easily across flat indoor and outdoor surfaces, and may be customized with a multitude of options, which allow for ease and convenience.

If you are thinking of buying one, speak with your therapist first and ask for some advice on models and components that best accommodate your lifestyle, needs, and size.

The following are some factors you need to consider when purchasing a rollator:

Brake System
Your brakes need to be easy to reach and aptly responsive for safety.

Cable brakes are like the ones used on bicycles. The user squeezes the breaks with both hands and the wheels instantly stop. There are also one-handed cable brake systems for people who only have strengh in one hand.

Slow down brakes can be useful when the user finds that the walker is rolling too fast for them to control it.

Park brakes are essential when the rollator has a seat and you need to sit down.  It will stop the rollator or walker from moving and reduce the incidence of falls.

Frame Type
There are frames built with either steel or aluminium. Steel frames are stronger and heavier than aluminium, and is designed to sustain greater body weight. However, aluminium frames are lighter and easier to push for those weighing less than 100 kgs or 15 stones.

Handle Adjustment
Opt for a model that allows you to adjust the handles to a suitable height for your size. A number of designs permit a greater range of adjustment than others allow, so be sure to test it before buying to make sure that you feel the comfort and the proper fit.

Number and Size of Wheels
A rollator can be either three-wheeled or four-wheeled. Three-wheeled models are easier to maneuver around corners and in tight spaces. Nevertheless, four wheels are more stable.

Wheel size is one more concern. If you are inclined to spend a lot of time outdoors and on uneven surfaces, decide on a model with larger wheels. Small wheels are designed for indoor use and flat surfaces.

In addition to a variety of fashionable designs and colors, you can setup your wheeled walker with other accessories including baskets, a soft seat, cane holder, cup holder, basket bags, oxygen tank holder, back rests, and other features.

DoAbility UK offers the widest range of the latest and most affordable rollators that will suit your every need.

For all your mobility equipment needs, visit DoAbility UK today.