Rollator for seniors Safer on foot

Rollator for seniors: safer on the move

01/10/2015

For years you can see more and more seniors who move with the help of a rollator. For many it looks simple at first, but those who rely on such walkers, so often get problems, such as getting on the bus. Special training can help.

Handling rollators is not that easy
More and more often you can see especially older people who move with the help of a rollator. Many seniors need such a helper, for example, after a stroke. But also neurological diseases, which are accompanied by progressive movement uncertainties and limitations or complicated fractures of the joints and bones can be reasons for the use of a rollator. Some seniors fall back on the walker because of the generally declining physical strength in old age. For outsiders, the use looks quite simple, but quite as easy is the handling of Rollatoren not. Even with proper use, it can quickly lead to discomfort such as wrist pain.

Special rollator training
Such a rolling walker offers more mobility for many people. Also for Ursula Maslowski her rollator means a piece more quality of life. „Before that, I was in a wheelchair“, told the 84-year-old, who lives in St. Mauritius-Stift in Bochum for five years, according to a message from the news agency dpa. After all, she can now go short distances with her rollator. Recently, the 84-year-old took part in a special rollator training and has since become safer, especially when braking and overcoming curbs.

Attention at the traffic light
Mostly in the training a course is built, which the seniors commit with the rollator. The pitfalls that cause problems are almost always the same. First of all, here is the pedestrian traffic light. In a larger crowd of people you hardly have a chance to get over safely with Rollator. „It is important to put yourself right at the front and to attract attention“, explained Cornelia Brodeßer, who works with the Verkehrswacht Bonn and offers rollator trainings. With a bell, as you get in a bicycle shop, that's the easiest way.

Soft tires and big wheels
Another problem that often arises is the movement on cobblestones. Since the walker has no shock absorbers, the hard paving stones shake the driver properly. The best thing to do is to choose softer tires. In addition, larger wheels are more comfortable: „So not every Hubbel is passed on one to one“, said Brodeßer. In addition, she introduced: „Also in the park, other tires may be useful, such as when the roads are strewn with gravel“.

Problems in the bus and at home
Getting along in bus or train called Brodeßer „the supreme discipline“. Since many buses are not lowered, seniors would need to know how to properly tilt the rollator for boarding and stabilize with the brake. During the special training sessions, they also learn that pushbuttons with a wheelchair symbol are often used on buses, signaling that the driver should stop longer because someone can not get in or out of the car so quickly. Even at home, there are often problems for those affected. „Less than ten percent of the apartments are barrier-free“, explained Prof. Clemens Becker, chief physician of the Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation at the Robert Bosch Hospital Stuttgart. As a result, most rooms are difficult to get through the doors or around corners. In addition, even going backwards, for example, to sit on a chair, often make difficulties.

Special hazards in mud and snow
Especially difficult is the maneuvering with a rollator in mud, rain or ice. If a layer of ice has formed on the roads, just stay on and tighten spiked shoes. In winter and at dusk, it is also advisable to attach reflectors to the rollator. Dirty, sticky tires should be cleaned after each walk in bad weather, especially the places where the brakes rest on the tires. Caution is also advised when going downhill, because then the rollator develops an undesirable momentum and gets faster and faster. This can only be avoided if the speed is throttled the whole time with a slightly slipping brake. „You can also steer with the brake“, so Brodeßer. (Ad)