Has anyone traveled with a rolling walker? Over the decades my balance has diminished. On a trip I need something for stability, especially with uneven surfaces and traffic. If you have used one, what brand did you use? I would like something vey light weight and has a “basket”. Were you able yo carry it on? Thank you.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10188 posts
Walkers have two wheels or no wheels, while rollators with four wheels are considered dangerous by assisted-living personnel. Four-wheeled rollators can slip out of control, and the person falls facedown. Even the lightest ones are cumbersome. I handled my mother’s rollator and later her walkers for several years. Like in the US, you don’t see many going any distance on sidewalks, even if people are actively using them where they live. Walkers would be inconvenient for going up and down curbs and stairs. Does walking with two hiking poles help you keep your balance? They take practice, but that would be less cumbersome for travel.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17908 posts
I have a friend who has been using one of these for travel. The larger wheels traverse bad road/sidewalk conditions better and it was one of the lighter ones he could find.
Still, Europe is not the US and there is no ADA, but with a little extra attention to planning you can have a marvelous trip.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10188 posts
That's a rollator, so hands need to be on the brakes at all times. Otherwise, it will roll away if the person starts to fall.
Ashley, Ask your doctor or a physical therapist. The question is too important.
I used to walk with a woman with cerebral palsey who was practicing for a trip to Europe, walking around the gym with rubber tipped hiking poles.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
My mum used to have a 4 wheeled walker. She sought specialist advice before she purchased it and was warned against 3 wheeled devices as they are less stable. It folded, but I would describe it as medium weight - the lighter versions are less stable. It had a storage area underneath the seat.
Make sure the height is adjusted correctly, as many people have them too low so your posture is leaning forward too much.
If you need assistance to get on the plane, the walker may have to go in the hold, depending on the flight.