Glide With A Folding Rolling WalkerA folding rolling walker provides easy mobility, convenience and comfort to persons who often travel while dealing with a certain handicap. This type of medical walker has at least two wheels for easy rolling and a folding mechanism for easy loading onto cars, buses and airplanes. It is often made of lightweight but sturdy aluminum frames.
Standard Features
Aside from the wheels, folding mechanism and lightweight aluminum frame, a standard folding rolling walker features a braking system with locks, handles, a cushioned seat, a curved backrest, a mesh basket under the seat and an extra removable storage pouch or bag. These standard features are either enhanced, modified or accessorized by designers of medical equipment walkers to address different needs.
Types and Models
There are as many kinds of folding rolling medical walkers as there are brands, types and models available in the market. Manufacturers of medical equipment walkers have differentiated them according to the needs of groups of individuals. There are walkers for regular-sized and large people, for young and adults and for individuals with different mobility capabilities.
A standard four-wheeled folding rolling walker weighs 13 pounds and has four 6-inch wheels. Its height can be adjusted from 34 to 38 inches. It is designed for users who are 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 3 inches tall and who weigh up to 300 pounds.
An 8-inch-wheeled folding rolling walker weighs 18 pounds and has four 8-inch wheels. Its height can be adjusted from 26 to 34 inches.
A 5-inch-front-wheeled folding rolling walker has two 5-inch front wheels. This is designed for frequent travelers because it can be folded to a depth of only 4.5 inches.
A bariatric folding rolling walker is designed for larger-sized users who weigh up to 400 pounds. Its padded seat is 18-inch wide and its maximum handle height is 37 inches. It has four 8-inch wheels with wheel locks.
There is a special folding rolling walker for tall persons whose heights range from five feet 11 inches to 6 feet six inches. It has 8-inch wheels and can be folded to a depth of 7 inches.
For children or petite persons with heights that start at four feet 11 inches, there is a folding rolling walker which weighs only 11 pounds but has a capacity of 300 pounds.
A three-wheeled folding rolling walker fits persons who require easier maneuverability and portability. It weighs only 10.5 pounds, has three 8-inch wheels and can support up to 250 pounds of body weight.
Added Features
To improve more the quality of life of people with mobility problems and attract those who are already using wheelchairs and canes, makers of medical supply walkers have been enhancing their designs with extra features for added comfort. For this folding rolling walker style, designers find ways so that the folding mechanism reduces the total depth of the medical walker to less than half its stretched size. They add options such as removable seats and back rests and detachable wheels without any use of tools. They design the back rests, seats, brakes and handles so that the medical walkers become ergonomic. |