Mobility walker for outdoor , advice please

[bizzey]

DM has finally decided she would like a mobility walker to use outside as she doesn't feel secure enough with just her stick.

How would she get one via the NHS ?

OT referral or Physio referral ?

There are so many on the market I would like her properly assessed for one .

If OT /Physio don't provide them , which ones would you recommend ?
3 wheeler or 4 ?

Are they like airport trollies where you have to hold the bar in position and then it brakes when release is stopped ?

It is all a bit of a minefield at the moment !

Thank you.

Provision and the way things are done varies place to place. Mostly, it should be easy enough to get a standard 'grey/silver' 4-legged zimmer frame. If you haven't had contact with District nurses/rehab team in your area, try GP as first point of contact.
Alternatively, if you think you could afford it, there are many online shops and you can research what's best for your mum's particular needs. I know that doesn't sound helpful but it really is quite individual.
A few things to think of: how's her balance? If poor she might need a sturdier 3-wheeler (fewer wheels to go into divots). Is tiredness a problem? In which case, think of the walkers with a seat (but she would need to be able to turn). Try looking at freecycle... It can be a case of trying a few different things to find the right one so if you can get different things for free to try out, that can be really helpful.
Often OTs (if you get one) will be the ones to assess but my experience is that physios tend to be better at this stuff - just my view.
Good luck. It is a complete minefield and the amount of equipment I've got via NHS and privately over the years is mind-boggling!

In my area only physios would assess for mobility equipment. When I worked in OT we could replace like for like but not assess.
Zimmer frames are for indoor use only and something like the below would be good for outdoors.
In my experience patients feel more stable with the four wheeled compared to the three wheeled.

Deal: Days Lightweight Folding Four Wheel Rollator, Mobility Walker with Padded Seat, Lockable Brakes and Carry Bag, Limited Mobility Aid, For Elderly or Disabled, Purple, 105/Medium https://amzn.eu/d/bTJewol

@SeriouslyAgain Thank you so much for replying.

It is an outdoor walker /shopper thing she wants...not that she is allowed to get shopping 😅!

Freecycle is a good idea ...never thought of that !

How would I make sure the front wheel/s is/are pivot wheels ...like a pushchair ....and not fixed ...like the cheap forward facing shopping trolley !

I have a rollator - it's brilliant. I have only had to use it post surgery, but have hung on to it. You can walk with it, and put the brakes on and sit on it.

Do you have a local disability aid shop? I find the guys who work in ours are amazing when it comes to making sure you get the right thing. I have used them a few times for DH and my nanna and they have always taken a lot of info and made sure the aid was correctly fitting and suitable

I have CP and now use a rollator/ Walker outdoors
I recommended 4 wheels and a padded seat rather than the three wheel ones, which are( much) less stable
There are two I have had
Drive R8 rollator
Days 105 rollator
It's just like pushing a buggy, swivel wheels and brakes
I'm 59 and resisted for years but honestly I can walk further with much less pain
Oh and they both have a basket under the seat, but it's stable enough for me to hang my shopping bag on

Ideally physio. Although they may say that she is better suited to something she doesn't want.

Just seen the one linked above is the one I have!

All the ones my mum ended up with had wheels that pivoted I think! I think the problem is more about getting something that actually works best for the individual (though it's great that your mum is leading this - that's half the battle because she'll engage and hopefully be able to explain what she feels she needs)

If you look at photo of one linked you can see the front wheels are mounted differently from the back ones and swivel.

I have this one, folds to 2 positions, has internal brake cabkes, some are external and catch on things. I got it from Argos.

https://drivedevilbiss.co.uk/our-products/walking-aids/rollators/aluminium-rollators/x-fold-rollator-2

No recommendations, but 100% get four wheels.

I'm not in the UK so can't help with NHS information, which I would of course try first. I did want to mention that where I am these rollators are very popular. My Gran uses it. She's in her 90s. It's 4 wheel, lightweight, and collapses. I do know it isn't cheap, and perhaps it is not available in the UK. but she really likes it and uses it inside and outside, so I thought I'd mention it. It's called Topro Troja. I attached a photo.

Good luck finding one that fits what you need!

Where does she want to go with it? Will she want to be able to manoeuvre it in small shops?

What are the pavements like where she lives?

Does she have to navigate kerbs or steps to go where she wants to go?

If the immediate footpaths are not in good repair then you may need a more robust walker than you realise.

Really important points to consider.

My DH had a Trionic Veloped which I can wholeheartedly recommend as a brilliantly engineered and effective walker for rough surfaces, but it may be more than she needs. It went up and down kerbs as if they didn't exist. https://www.trionic.uk/en/rollator-guide?url=utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK+-+Trionic+Brand&gclid=CjwKCAiA-vOsBhAAEiwAIWR0TczfL4KE8MeDvQ0FDdW5G82Il1JctakLUDV7HbunaxHfJ5POaK8HPxoCxncQAvD_BwE

There is a healthy secondhand market in the more expensive devices, I bought his on eBay and resold it when he no longer needed it. It's worth looking on dedicated Facebook groups if that's the way you decide to go.

Ohh my !
So many helpful replies ...thank you everyone.

Footpaths are terrible here which is why she is not feeling as secure with just the walking stick that I got her.

Dropped and non dropped kerbs would be heavily involved in her routes.

A step and doorframe to lift it upto and over to get into house....and out of .

I am going to look up disability aid shop near me .

I think that would be a good idea , thank you.

I think money needs to be spent on this as it obvious not a temporary need.

I think what she would also love would be little headlights for it !

Our street lamps are not bright enough for her to feel secure .

I am going to make a cuppa and a spread sheet !!

I think what she would also love would be little headlights for it

You can buy clip on headlights for about £10. Each manufacturer does their own

When I was googling out of curiosity for rollators with headlights, I came across this which I rather fancied - lightweight, and the wheels around you instead of in front of you. Very easy to fold/unfold.

Coincidentally about the same price as the previous item I googled - we saw in the distance in the middle of a lake what looked like a log with green headlights. Grabbed a nearby fisherman who said it was a “bait boat”, with sonar so you could “see” the lake bottom and the fish.

My stepdad has one of these (after trying a few) and it's great. Standing 'inside' rather than 'behind' the wheels makes him much more stable and with a more natural, upright walking position instead of bending forward.

His has a seat and a small bag as attachments, but unlike the more traditional styles the seat doesn't get in the way of his legs when walking.

This is the seat: https://shop.byacre.com/en/backrest-overland.html