A stroller or rollator is a mobility aid that assists walking. It can be used by someone who has permanent difficulty walking or balancing when standing, or by someone during recuperation from an injury or operation.
A stroller is a walking frame and it may be referred to as a zimmer frame – a reference the inventor of this aid.
There are many variations on the rollater theme that see four legged strollers with two or four wheels and even three legged strollers with wheels on each leg. Some strollers, designed for rougher ground, will even have pairs of wheels on each leg.
The different kinds of stroller can, and are designed to be, used in different ways. The basic four leg version that has two wheels and has its non-wheel legs raised above the ground when a step is taken. After this, the non slip feet of these legs make contact with the ground as the person prepares to take another step. During this time the stroller is stable and cannot move or roll.
Strollers that have wheels on all of their legs will also have a braking system that normally uses a handlebar layout similar to a bike. When the person wishes to move forward they release the brakes an push the stroller forward. When they wish to stop they apply the brakes.
The three wheeler strollers are thought by some to be more manoeuvrable. This is because the front (single) wheel will normally change direction to suit the course in which it is being pushed. This makes it a more directional stroller, but it also requires that the user has greater balance, strength and mobility than is required for a typical four leg two wheel walking frame.
These rollators or strollers can include baskets for carrying things and many have a padded shelf section that becomes a seat.
There are many varying types of rollator/stroller/walking frame and each will suit someone with slightly differing needs.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment