Rollators - any knowledge?

[stevewestern]

Mum is in her 90's and following a couple of incidents now uses a rollator some of the time.
The one she was given by the council is a very basic version with small wheels and solid tyres which make it hard work on anything other than a smooth flat surface and I fear that an uneven paving slab will have her back on her backside and back in hospital again... Pavements are very uneven and bumpy which hurts her arms and hands such that she doesn't go far, so I'm looking into alternatives but know almost nothing about them. Seems to me that inflatable tyres and bigger wheels would make a big difference but can anyone offer any advice?
This is what she's got

A-Series Rollator

The A-Series Rollator is a reliable and practical aid to walking, shopping, and completing daily tasks. Made from high quality aluminium the frame is a strong and durable support, additionally the frame is lightweight and can be folded down for storage or travel. The handles are height...

www.manageathome.co.uk

This is the sort of thing I'm looking at

Topro Olympos All Terrain Rollator

The Topro Olympos has been designed specifically for outdoor use but can also be used inside.It features large wheels for use on different types of terrain. It is easy to fold and unfold and requires little space to store. Supplied with backrest.

www.manageathome.co.uk

I can't afford one of the really expensive ones but would be happy to listen if anyone knows if they are worth it - thanks!

 

[Box Brownie]

I cannot help with the specifics of the Rollator but when my OH broke her ankle and needed a bath seat the local NHS or was it the Council pointed at an independent charity operation who had various 'aids'......

Trouble is I cannot recall who they were??? But maybe contact the likes of British Heart Foundation, Help the Aged etc just in case they have been gifted any such Rollators and now(typo correction) offer them out. IIRC I paid a modest fee and in the case of the item(s) I needed for the OH, once she had recovered, they of course went back for next person in need.

 

[Sky]

It's the Red Cross you're thinking of I think BB. At least they're the ones in my area.

Large pneumatic wheels, good brakes and a seat is a must. A foldable one if it needs to be taken in a car, taxi or bus.

These can be picked up quite cheaply on local classifieds or the evil bay. New prices are horrendous.

An example: My new wheelchair quote is £15,800.00. A couple of years old on the evil bay and they can be picked up for £1,500.00

 

[Box Brownie]

Perhaps

Cornwall Mobility – We are the largest, most dynamic mobility centre in the UK

Disabled Facilities - Padstow Tourist Information Centre

Padstow is a great place to explore for all. The following information is intended to advice those that need assistance with mobility. Please contact the staff in the Tourist Information Office if you require further information. All accommodation is obliged to produce an accessibility...

padstowlive.com

Stairlifts, Mobility Products & Accessories | Age Co Mobility

Handicare are proud to be working with the Age Co Group. Together, we are continually working towards improving later life for everyone.

www.ageukmobility.co.uk

Physical Disabilities - Cornwall Council

Information to help individuals with physical disabilities

www.cornwall.gov.uk

Just a quick look through ands if not the above just maybe they can point you in alternate direction(s)

I hope you can get something sorted out AOK

 

[stevewestern]

It's the Red Cross you're thinking of I think BB. At least they're the ones in my area.

Large pneumatic wheels, good brakes and a seat is a must. A foldable one if it needs to be taken in a car, taxi or bus.

I forgot to mention a seat and foldability, thanks for that!

 

[Box Brownie]

It's the Red Cross you're thinking of I think BB. At least they're the ones in my area.

Large pneumatic wheels, good brakes and a seat is a must. A foldable one if it needs to be taken in a car, taxi or bus.

Ah! I think you may be correct

 

[Marc]

I had a Topro Troja which was brilliant. So much lighter than the cheap ones and way easier to get in and out of the car.

If you want to talk expensive, mum, 88, just bought herself one of THESE!

 

[stevewestern]

Perhaps

Cornwall Mobility – We are the largest, most dynamic mobility centre in the UK

Disabled Facilities - Padstow Tourist Information Centre

Padstow is a great place to explore for all. The following information is intended to advice those that need assistance with mobility. Please contact the staff in the Tourist Information Office if you require further information. All accommodation is obliged to produce an accessibility...

padstowlive.com

Stairlifts, Mobility Products & Accessories | Age Co Mobility

Handicare are proud to be working with the Age Co Group. Together, we are continually working towards improving later life for everyone.

www.ageukmobility.co.uk

Physical Disabilities - Cornwall Council

Information to help individuals with physical disabilities

www.cornwall.gov.uk

Just a quick look through ands if not the above just maybe they can point you in alternate direction(s)

I hope you can get something sorted out AOK

Very kind of you to provide links - I didn't mention that mum is in London and I very rarely drive up as my car isn't ULEZ compliant.....

 

[Box Brownie]

Very kind of you to provide links - I didn't mention they mum is in London and I very rarely drive up as my car isn't ULEZ compliant.....

Oooops!
well I can only surmise within the borough and London/Outer London area in general that there will be various potential outlets of help

Can I ask which Borough.....just in case I can get any pointers for you???

 

[stevewestern]

I had a Topro Troja which was brilliant. So much lighter than the cheap ones and way easier to get in and out of the car.

If you want to talk expensive, mum, 88, just bo ught herself one of THESE!

I'd discounted the Troja as it has solid tyres Marc but it's certainly a good recommendation for the brand!
As for expensive they do sell these...

Rollz Motion Performance All-Terrain Rollator and Wheelchair

The Rollz Motion Performance is a modern all-terrain rollator that converts into a wheelchair at the flick of a wrist. Pneumatic tyres ensure a comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. The extra thick padding on the armrests and ergonomically shaped handles offer additional comfort. Folds to a...

www.manageathome.co.uk

I may need to wait till the double rollover wins come through the letterbox though!

 

[stevewestern]

Oooops!
well I can only surmise within the borough and London/Outer London area in general that there will be various potential outlets of help

Can I ask which Borough.....just in case I can get any pointers for you???

Hey, no probs! She's in Hounslow, west London. I'm sure there will be a few outlets, not had a chance to look as you good people are posting so many replies!

 

[Marc]

I'd discounted the Troja as it has solid tyres Marc but it's certainly a good recommendation for the brand!
As for expensive they do sell these...

Rollz Motion Performance All-Terrain Rollator and Wheelchair

The Rollz Motion Performance is a modern all-terrain rollator that converts into a wheelchair at the flick of a wrist. Pneumatic tyres ensure a comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. The extra thick padding on the armrests and ergonomically shaped handles offer additional comfort. Folds to a...

www.manageathome.co.uk

I may need to wait till the double rollover wins come through the letterbox though!

My new wheelchair cost £3.5k and that was one of the cheaper ones. Mobility equipment does tend to be on the extortionately expensive side!

 

[stevewestern]

My new wheelchair cost £3.5k and that was one of the cheaper ones. Mobility equipment does tend to be on the extortionately expensive side!

Lordy, that is expensive!
It seems so very wrong that mobility equipment is so extortionate but no surprise given the way wealth seems to be divvied up...

 

[Nod]

Charity shops and recycling centre reselling outlets (aka tip shops!) sometimes have them at a much better price than elsewhere. Mrs Nod and I were advised by a specialist that 3 wheeled ones are best avoided - think Reliant 3 wheelers... From memory, all the 4 wheeled folding ones have seats.

Good luck getting her to use it all the time - it took a fall to convince Mrs Nod's Mum to do so.

 

[stevewestern]

Good luck getting her to use it all the time - it took a fall to convince Mrs Nod's Mum to do so.

Hmm, mum spent almost 3 weeks in hospital after a fall last winter and 5 weeks in hospital in Corsica over the summer..
She does now use her rollator a bit but is determined not to become reliant on it too much as she wants to go to Spain in the spring and plans not to take anything other than her stick then....

 

[luthy]

When my mam (90) needed a rollator and wheelchair we went to a local store called
Mobility Direct their prices were much cheaper than those quoted on here. IIRC she paid about £90 for a 3 wheel rollator and £120 for a light weight wheelchair belive it was classed as a transfere chair. They had a large selection in stock and if there is a medical reason they dont charge VAT. It may be worth doing an internet search to see if you have one locally sorry I dont know if they sell online.

 

[Mozthecat]

With my partners 88 year old grandmother it took a younger (10 years or so) friend explaining how good they were, and how they used theirs all the time, as they were for old people and she wasn’t one of them to get her to use one….

 

[Nod]

Hmm, mum spent almost 3 weeks in hospital after a fall last winter and 5 weeks in hospital in Corsica over the summer..
She does now use her rollator a bit but is determined not to become reliant on it too much as she wants to go to Spain in the spring and plans not to take anything other than her stick then....

We know the feeling all too well!!! Luckily, MiL decided to stop travelling a few years ago (we found out from one of the people on the same coach that she'd had a fall but not told us herself) but is a faller. She decided (after her last fall at home) that she was scared to be alone at night and after looking at home carer visits and overnighters costs, along with the rest of life's expenses, she decided to move into residential care. It actually works out cheaper than living in her own home! She now has a call button on a string round her neck after yet another fall due to her stubbornness but does now use a frame (smaller than the rollator) to get from chair/bed to bathroom and back. She says she always uses it but often forgets it when we're there.
You could try telling her that her travel insurance won't cover her unless she's using her rollator...

 

[stevewestern]

All your replies are so helpful and appreciated, thank you.
First thing she said this morning as she came down the stairs was that she actually thinks that getting a decent one is worth it, and why wait as she won't wear it out.
I was thinking that I've still got a couple of fuji lenses up for sale on here so I'll bump the thread and if no joy will take them to a dealer and use that money to pay for one.
When I'm home I'll also check out any used ones and the charity shops - I'm off now from London up to see the mother in law in Loughborough then home to Cornwall tomorrow.

There is a very obvious reason that I've been a part of this forum/community for so long and this thread has highlighted it once again.
Thanks!

 

[munch]

I have no direct experience of rollators, but was speaking to a friend who now has to use one, and she loves her Helavo "all terrain Walker" Mainly as she feels stable with it on more uneven surfaces.
But I do feel it is one of those things to try before you buy.

 

[Nod]

All your replies are so helpful and appreciated, thank you.
First thing she said this morning as she came down the stairs was that she actually thinks that getting a decent one is worth it, and why wait as she won't wear it out.
I was thinking that I've still got a couple of fuji lenses up for sale on here so I'll bump the thread and if no joy will take them to a dealer and use that money to pay for one.
When I'm home I'll also check out any used ones and the charity shops - I'm off now from London up to see the mother in law in Loughborough then home to Cornwall tomorrow.

There is a very obvious reason that I've been a part of this forum/community for so long and this thread has highlighted it once again.
Thanks!

If only there was such a thing as an "Anti-Stubborn" tablet that could be sneaked in among all the others!!!

We spent about an hour in the shop we got the MiL's rollator from, testing every one for robustness (my weight was an advantage - showed up a couple of the cheapest [and an expensive one!] to be rather less sturdy than we wanted) and ease of use (brake reach, ease of folding, fit to car etc.). They even offered to take a few out to her old house for her to try as well as letting us buy the one she has on approval. https://www.bridgeandlindsey.com/our-shops/

 

[luthy]

"Anti-stubborn tablet" lol its the stubborn that keeps them going.
If thats true my wife rekons I will live forever.

 

[stevewestern]

So, stubborn mum fixated on one I looked at so we spent a while googling and found an ex demo one in the right size and even (get this) the right colour so it's been ordered at half price of a new one. Annoyingly I've now left her, so it'll have to wait a week or so until I can assemble it but thank you all so much for the help. It's very much appreciated.

 

[Box Brownie]

Pleased to hear that you are sorted and she is happy

 

[stevewestern]

Pleased to hear that you are sorted and she is happy

You spend too much time on here BB.... Thank you. We'll have to see is she is happy with it, but as long as she gets to Spain next spring I'll be happy, as well she.
She managed Russia via America about 5 years ago so I expect she will!

 

[Box Brownie]

You spend too much time on here BB.... Thank you. We'll have to see is she is happy with it, but as long as she gets to Spain next spring I'll be happy, as well she.
She managed Russia via America about 5 years ago so I expect she will!

Probably

Sometimes I think I need to wean myself off of forums :

 

[stevewestern]

Probably

Sometimes I think I need to wean myself off of forums :

Maybe, but as far as I am concerned you have given lots of useful and helpful advice at times which is appreciated..
One question though, given that you are pretty good at this sort of stuff, how about PM'ing me some lottery numbers for tomorrow please and thank you so much..........?

 

[Box Brownie]

Maybe, but as far as I am concerned you have given lots of useful and helpful advice at times which is appreciated..
I've question though, given that you are pretty good at this sort of stuff, how about PM'ing me some lottery numbers for tomorrow please and thank you so much..........?

When I was still working I did a small couple of quid a week on the lotto for years and won diddly squat. I gave up trying when I retired as could no longer justify the flutter..........so sorry, you are on your own on that one

 

[stevewestern]

When I was still working I did a small couple of quid a week on the lotto for years and won diddly squat. I gave up trying when I retired as could no longer justify the flutter..........so sorry, you are on your own on that one

Well at least I'd know what numbers not to pick!