Balance issues can be quite the hinderance to day to day living. They can make even the simplest tasks like moving around the kitchen, getting the mail and watering plants feel difficult. Introducing a rollator walker to the mix can help a person to move around with much more ease and support which can help them maintain their independence and mobility, leading to an overall healthier life.

Can a rollator walker help with balance issues?

All adults with balance issues can see benefits by participating in regular fitness exercises as prescribed by experts. Also, using a rollator walker means you don’t lose the freedom to go wherever you want to go. All-terrain rollators are “the” way to go!

Using a rollator walker as part of a daily routine can help a person to maintain their independence despite having issues with their balance. It can be quite intimidating to maintain movement with the looming threat of stumbling or falling so the ability to hold onto sturdy handles and use handbrakes as needed will help a person to stay upright even when feeling unsteady on their feet.

What causes poor balance

There are many situations and conditions that can lead to a reduction in one’s ability to maintain their balance without assistance. Although these conditions can occur in people of any age, it’s more common to experience them through age or onset of medical conditions like Parkinson’s, MS or Alzheimer’s.

While this isn’t a complete list, here are a few common causes of poor balance:

• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• High or low blood pressure
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Arthritis
• Certain medications
• Back issues
• Inner ear problems or infection
• Weakened muscles, especially those in the legs or back
• Broken or healing bones, such as after a hip or knee replacement

Signs it’s time for a rollator walker

Making the decision to start using a cane or rollator walker can be a tough one. Many may think that accepting support may be a sign of weakness or that they’re giving up their independence, however that’s not the case at all. Using a mobility aid can actually help them to stay safe and keep active for much longer than if they refuse the support.

Though there are many reasons a person might decide it’s time to start using a mobility aid like a cane or a walker, there are a few specific signs to keep an eye out for.

Your legs don’t support you

Whether you’re dealing with a broken bone, a wound on your feet or legs, arthritis or are recovering from a surgery like a hip or knee replacement, your legs may struggle to support you. A rollator walker can help provide stability and balance support when your legs aren’t fully able to do their job on their own.

Your balance isn’t very good

Standing and walking without assistance can become more difficult as you age. If you’re finding that your balance isn’t what it used to be and that walking from one spot to the next is becoming more of a struggle, a rollator walker can help.

You get tired easily

The built-in seat that comes standard on most rollator walkers will allow users to take breaks whenever they need it, without having to search for a bench or chair.

You’ve fallen before

After a fall it can be intimidating to continue to move around freely. Using a rollator walker for support can improve a user’s confidence and overall ability to get around, without the fear of falling.

You want to maintain independence

When your balance starts becoming an issue, it can be hard to continue with the things you used to be able to do on your own. Whether it’s walking from the couch to the bathroom, going for a walk around your neighbourhood or going to the store for groceries, using a rollator walker can help you maintain your active lifestyle and hold onto your independence.

A rollator walker isn’t a sign of weakness

Although making the shift from walking and moving independently to relying on a mobility aid for support can be an intimidating one, it might actually prove to be the best decision one could make. A tool that can help you maintain your balance while you live your day-to-day life can help you carry on with an active and mobile lifestyle for years to come.

As most people age there will come a point when moving around without a bit of assistance becomes extremely difficult if not impossible. In this situation, it may become time to incorporate a mobility aid into their day-to-day life. A mobility support aid like a cane or better, a wheeled walker, can make all the difference to someone who is trying to maintain their independence and mobility. However, when it comes to choosing which mobility aid will work the best for each individual, it can be an intimidating process.

From active models to lightweight or compact ones, there are many different styles of walkers on the market today. Choosing the right rollator walker can help ensure that a person is able to maximize its usefulness in their life.

Life in a care home or condo can be great

Moving into a small apartment or condo in an adult building or into a unit in a supported living facility can be extremely helpful to anyone struggling to get around on their own. When amenities like laundry facilities, parking lots, dining rooms and entertainment areas don’t require a large journey, it can be easier to continue to lead a moderately active lifestyle.

Unfortunately, a drawback to these styles of homes is that they often offer tighter living areas as well. While this may mean that a tenant is able to move short distances unassisted, it may also be too cramped for a standard sized rollator walker to move around easily. If this ends up being the case, a person who used to move around a fair amount with their walker may find themselves feeling discouraged and annoyed at how cumbersome it now feels.

Top reasons to get a compact walker or rollator walker

A person’s needs will vary, so they likely have a number of different reasons for getting a compact rollator instead of a standard. A few common reasons include:

• A cane isn’t quite enough support, but they’re not ready for a full-sized, heavy-duty walker yet
• They want a walker that can be kept in the car or the garage, ready to pop in the car anytime without worrying that it will get in the way at the destination
• Their living space is small, so the walker needs to be able to slide into a spot out of the way when not in use
• A second walker is needed in the home, maybe on a second floor or to navigate a room that can’t accommodate a full-sized walker
• The doorways in the home are narrow
• The bathroom in the home is cramped or small
• The user has a weak grip and can’t squeeze the handbrakes on a standard-sized walker
• The user is recovering from an injury or struggles to control a rollator, so a compact unit is easier to maneuver

Look for a compact rollator walker

A walker that just sits unused in a corner or a closet isn’t helping anyone, so it is essential that the care team looks for a better option.

Our pick for the best compact rollator walker is the Volaris compact model. This small and easy to use rollator is the perfect choice for anyone that may struggle with a standard sized rollator. The built-in features make it easy to use, transport and store allowing anyone who uses it to maintain their active lifestyle and their independence.

The top features of the Volaris compact rollator include:

• Upright frame – Users will walk within the frame instead of hunched over from behind it, allowing them to maintain good posture and prevent back injury.
• Compact design – Coming in at a full 2 inches narrower when in use than other rollators on the market, the Volaris is much easier to maneuver
• Easy to transport – At 8 inches shorter when folded and about 5lbs lighter than other models, the Volaris compact rollator walker is easy to store and put in a vehicle.
• X-Frame – Allows the rollator to stand upright when folded, making it easy to store in a small home.

Using a compact rollator makes life easier

Making the transition from moving around without assistance to needing the support of a rollator walker or cane is difficult enough. Having to use a rollator that feels awkward and hard to control can just add to the discomfort that someone is going through. A compact rollator walker is the perfect solution for anyone struggling with the size of their rollator.

If you are looking for a way to maintain your or a loved one’s mobility, you’re likely overwhelmed by all the different walker options available to you. Though a basic rollator walker is highly recommended for the average user, if you would like to ensure the ability to move across more varied situations an all-terrain walker might be just the ticket.

What is an all-terrain walker?

Just like a regular rollator walker, an all-terrain walker will assist the user in getting around in their day-to-day life. The main difference between a standard rollator and an all-terrain one is that the all-terrain version comes equipped with features that will allow the user to navigate on rough terrain like rocky surfaces, sand, grassy fields, and even dirt and gravel. For an adventurous person, an all-terrain rollator walker in a must in order to maintain a high quality of life.

Captioned above is a man with mobility issues joining his friends on a trail hike. With a true, premium all-terrain rollator many seniors with mobility limitations may push those limits aside. Live well – and thrive!

Top features in an all-terrain outdoor walker

There are a few features that are uniquely suited to all-terrain rollator models. Though some can be found on standard rollator walkers, the combination of these features will allow the user the ultimate level of independence.

> Big wheels

Perhaps the most important feature of a great all terrain rollator, the wheel size should be bigger than those you would find on a standard rollator walker. This helps the user to push the walker across uneven terrain much easier than if they had standard size wheels. Look for wheels that are 8” to 12” in diameter for the best useability.

> Upright position

A walker that allows the user to maintain an upright position, rather than a hunched over one, will offer much better balance on uneven terrain. The user should be able to walk and stand within the walker and not behind it in order to maintain their posture and balance.

> Adjustable height

Height adjustment is an essential part of any walker, and especially all-terrain ones. If the height is not able to be adjusted, the user runs the risk of an improper fit which can significantly affect their balance on rough terrain.

> X frame construction

This unique construction allows the rollator to fold easily and remain standing while in a folded position. The ability to fold it easily will make life so much easier when you are visiting some of those rougher areas that you like to explore.

> Rubber tires

Hard plastic tires will have absolutely no give when crossing rough terrain. In contrast, rubber tires will offer a much smoother and softer ride.

> Good hand brakes

An essential part of a great rollator walker, good hand brakes are even more important when traversing rougher terrain. The user will want to easily engage the brakes anytime they feel the need, especially if going down slopes or hills.

Volaris walkers fit the bill

One set of rollator walkers uses all of these essential features to provide the best support to anyone looking for an excellent all-terrain rollator walker: Volaris walkers! Volaris has several models of rollators walkers specially designed to keep users moving as much as they can.

Volaris Patrol All Terrain Rollator – The 10-inch wheels on the Patrol model mean that this walker will traverse rocky, bumpy, sandy and uneven surfaces with ease.

Volaris Discovery All Terrain Rollator – With 8-inch wheels, a slightly shorter frame and seat height, and a slightly lighter weight, the Discovery model is ideal for those who still want to have freedom of mobility across a number of different terrains, but are also looking for a smaller and more portable walker.

Volaris Shadow All Terrain Rollator – Though the Shadow line has similar measurements to the Discovery line, the wheels are slightly narrower. This allows the Shadow rollator to walk the line between extremely portable and strong on a variety of terrain, while also being a great rollator for inside of smaller spaces like your home.

An all-terrain rollator is just what you’ve been looking for

If moving around unassisted has become a bit of a struggle, a rollator walker is likely a great solution to maintaining a healthy level of mobility. However, many rollator models will struggle to move across uneven terrain like rocks, sand, gravel and dirt. An all-terrain model is the best way to continue a life of freedom and mobility, while still providing yourself with the support that you need.

As our bodies age and get more tired it becomes fairly easy to allow ourselves to reduce how much we move around each day. However, there is much to be said for the benefits of maintaining and improving your overall mobility. Whether you make the effort to go outside for a walk each day, commit to doing stretches regularly or take up a new activity like pickleball, improving your day-to-day mobility will have many benefits.

Benefits of improving your mobility

Do you have mobility issues and feel you can’t get out more and be active? Think again, Volaris Rollators have allowed thousands of seniors and those with mobility issues to do more outside with our industry leading, all-terrain rollators. Go further, get more exercise and walk upright!

Though there are many benefits to improving how much and how well you move your body each day, the health benefits you’ll feel are going to be the most significant of all.

You’ll lower your risk of injury

Seniors often experience a higher rate of injury than the average person, and that can be a result of muscles and bones becoming weakened and atrophied. The best way to counter these risks is to maintain a regular level of activity. While some seniors may struggle to get overly active each day, participating in low impact activities like walking and stretching will help them to maintain physical mobility for longer than if they allow their reduced mobility to take hold.

Posture will improve

The more time someone spends sitting or leaning over in a chair or while walking with a rollator walker, the poorer their posture will naturally become. Taking time throughout each day to stretch and strengthen muscles in the back, stomach, hips and torso will help people of all ages to maintain and improve their posture.

Exercise is a stress reducer

Regardless of how old you are and how well your body works, when you live your life each day it’s easy to get lost in the moment and forget to focus on your body. Taking even just a few minutes a day to focus on your breathing and to do a few stretches can help reduce tension and stress that you’ve been carrying in your body.

You may reduce pain

When you take time to work on lengthening and strengthening muscles by stretching and maintaining regular movement a common by-product of increased mobility is that you’ll end up experiencing less pain. Lower back pain especially is tied to the common and unnatural pressure that many feel thanks to a pelvic tilt that many people have, and increased mobility can help reduce this.

Life may feel more positive

It’s no surprise that when your body hurts and you struggle just to move around, life itself feels like that much more of a struggle. So, on the flip side, if you’re able to move around with more ease you’ll likely feel more positive about your day-to-day life.

Interest in getting active may improve

If regular movement is hard or includes pain, it’s natural to avoid doing the things that bring on this struggle. As it gets easier and less painful to move around, a person’s interest in doing so will naturally increase.

They may feel more confidence

As a person’s balance, vision and strength change with age, it can be intimidating to do tasks that they once took on without a second thought. Activities like walking on uneven or slippery surfaces, crossing a busy road or navigating a grocery store can feel intimidating when they aren’t confident about how their body may behave in a given situation. Making an effort to maintain mobility through stretching, strength training and other regular physical activity can allow seniors to feel more confident in these situations.

They may maintain independence

The ability to carry out day to day tasks with ease and confidence will help seniors to hold onto their independence for longer than if they aren’t able to things like walk down stairs, navigate the bathroom, clean their kitchen or pick up their own groceries.

Brain functions better

While cognitive function tends to decrease as people age, regular exercise has been shown to help reduce this effect. A recent study has shown that older adults who exercise in the morning and then take brief walks throughout the day are more likely to maintain short term memory and decision-making skills as compared to those who sit for several hours each day.

Improve Mobility for Health’s Sake

Live better. It’s a choice we make and there are things we can do to improve our quality of life. Invest in the best tools and equipment to help you live a healthier and more ENJOYABLE life. For all the benefits listed, you owe it to yourself and loved ones to get active and assistive devices like premium rollators can help immensely.

Walking upright is something that most of us have done for most of our lives, so it’s easy to take the ability to do so for granted. But the truth is, as individuals start to rely on mobility support aids it’s common to see their posture start to regress and some associated problems start to occur. If you or someone you know is using a mobility aid and haven’t given much thought to the posture that is maintained, now is the time!

Poor spinal posture creates a host of issues

Did you know? Our goal at Xlent Care Products is to help our customers live better with more freedom. All our products are geared at promoting wellness and reducing pain. It’s no wonder that our walk-upright line of rollators are recognized as the gold standard for seniors and those with mobility issues.

As we age and start struggling to walk independently, it’s natural for our bodies to start hunching over and bending forward. However, this shift in posture can create some significant issues for the rest of our body, from breathing struggles to joint pain.

According to Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, a pain specialist in New Zealand and the author of the Life After Pain book and course, spinal posture is an incredibly significant factor in health, energy levels and longevity.

It turns out that poor spinal posture (head forward posture and excessive rounding of the upper back) affects a whole range of important functions. To be fair, your spine is the pillar of our stance and the axis of all movement, so this is hardly unexpected.

Research shows that poor spinal posture increases stress in your body and nervous system. Tense muscles = no real relaxation = increased pain and tension in your neck, back and shoulders.”

In his book Dr. Kuttner also explains that

…poor spinal posture decreases your lung capacity and ability to breathe efficiently. It prevents you from getting enough air into your lungs every time you breathe.

Upright rollators are the best option

Though there are many different kinds of mobility aids available on the market and it can be hard to decide which one will suit your needs best, it’s important to remember that a rollator walker that encourages you to stand upright rather than hunched over will have the most significant benefits in your everyday life for many reasons.

Helps maintain good spinal posture

A regular walker or rollator will often have you bent over, standing over the frame. A rollator walker will encourage the user to stand inside of the frame with an adjustable height setting to allow them to maintain un upright stance. This will help the spine to stay straight, reducing the likelihood of developing joint pain, back pain, muscle tension, and reduced circulation.

There’s more support

An upright rollator walker is designed to have comfortable handlebars with an easy-to-use brake system and a built-in seat providing the user with more support and comfort than with a standard walker.

Rollator walks are more stable

When using a regular walker, a user is more apt to lean forward, throwing off their center of balance and causing them to feel unstable. However, when using a rollator walker the user stands inside of the frame, not behind it.

All terrain usage

Rollator walkers come equipped with the ability to be used both indoors and outdoors and on many different kinds of terrain. Larger wheels, built in suspension and a unique flexframe structure allow some models to be used on more extreme terrain with ease.

Adjustable features

With the ability to adjust the height of their rollator and choose a frame that suits their needs, users will find that some of the pain that’s associated with poor spinal posture can be reduced.

Maintain good spinal posture, and your independence, with a rollator walker

Maintaining an active and comfortable lifestyle is an important part of a happy life, regardless of how well you are able to move around. The use of a rollator walker can help offer support in a way that allows you to ease the pressure put on your spine while allowing you to move around as freely as you’re able to.

Dr. Kutner notes that more than two-thirds of the world’s population the exact spinal posture that leads to the aforementioned issues. Taking steps to help improve your spinal posture can help make significant improvements in other areas of your life. The findings are an important lesson for us, and those that want to “live well and go further” in life!