Rollators are incredibly beneficial personal mobility aids. Their frames offer adequate support as you walk, and their wheels mean that you do not have to overstrain yourself by lifting them up in order to walk.
In fact, rollators are great tools to encourage elderlies to engage in daily walks. There are currently two types of rollators available in the market: two-wheeled and four-wheeled. The two types serves different purposes. As such, it is vital to get the right one for your loved one.
The final choice depends on your loved one’s daily lifestyle and the activities they participate in. Without further ado, we will explore the two to find out which of the two suits your loved one’s needs.
What are the differences between the two?
The most significant difference between the two types boils down to support and balance. To put it simply, a 2-wheeled rollator also has two legs that do not have wheels and are in direct contact with the ground.
This means that it can hold more weight and offer more stability when your loved one places their entire weight on it. If your loved one has difficulty maintaining their balance, then having the additional support from the two wheel-less rear legs is definitely of an importance. However, the downside is that they will have to lift the rollator up whenever they want to move forward.
Because of this, they will need to use their arm muscles to lift the rollator. If that is something that they might struggle with, then a 4-wheeled rollator is more suitable.
A 4-wheeled rollator does not have any legs that are in direct contact with the ground. Instead, all four legs have wheels attached at the end, making it ideal for those who might not be as strong to lift the rollator up.
With that being said, it does comes at a cost. Loss of stability is inevitable if your loved ones put their entire weight on it. Hence, if maintaining their balance is an issue, a 2-wheeled one is the clear option.
There is no one better rollator than the other. Both types of rollators come with their own disadvantages and advantages. Hence, rather than focusing on those aspects, it is vital to consider your loved one’s lifestyle and situation.
When is a 2-wheeled rollator the preferred choice?
As mentioned earlier, 2-wheeled rollators offer better support and balance. However, your loved one will also have to be able to lift it up in order to move forward. That also means that they might need a fairly sizeable space to accommodate their movement. Because of that, 2-wheeled rollators are not recommended for spaces with tight corridors or narrow corners.
However, when they are in open, large spaces with slightly uneven ground, 2-wheeled rollators’ added stability means a safer experience. For example, if you are out in a park with your loved ones, then a 2-wheeled rollator makes the ideal PMA choice. Not only does it support them as they manoeuvre around, but they also will not have any trouble staying balanced on uneven surfaces.
When is a 4-wheeled rollator the preferred choice?
While a 2-wheeled rollator is perfect for spaces with uneven ground, a 4-wheeled one is ideal for almost any place. For example, if your loved ones need to make a trip to the supermarket, using a 4-wheeled rollator means they can move around easily. Furthermore, the thing about not needing to lift it up to move forward is that they are great if they have quite a number of things with them.
Another situation where 4-wheeled rollators are perfect is turning around corners. It is much easier as they do not need sufficient space to be lifted and turned, making 4-wheeled ones ideal for tight corridors and narrow corners.
Conclusion
It really is a hard question to answer when it comes to 2 and 4-wheeled rollators. Both have their pros and cons, as such, depend on their daily lifestyle. If they enjoy spending most of their time walking in the park, then a 2-wheeled rollator makes more sense. If they want something for general use, then a 4-wheeled rollator will come in handy.
If you need any advice or help with choosing the right mobility aid, then do not hesitate to visit Falcon Mobility. We offer a wide range of PMAS, from rollators and walking canes to motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters for elderlies. Get started today! Contact us to find out more!