• A standard walker gives the most support. It's the right choice if your parent needs to lean on it.
  • A rollator suits someone who walks fairly steadily but tires quickly. The seat lets them rest anywhere.
  • Never lean heavily on a rollator. It can roll away. Lock the brakes before sitting.
  • Set the handles at wrist height, and ask a physical therapist to check the fit.

The difference in one sentence

A walker is for support, and a rollator is for endurance. If your parent needs to put weight through their arms to stay upright, they need a walker. If they can walk but need to stop and rest, a rollator may fit better.

Standard walkers

A standard walker has four legs, with either no wheels (you lift it and set it down with each step) or two front wheels (it glides forward, and the back legs provide braking). Two-wheeled walkers are the most common middle ground, since they're easier to move than a lift-and-step walker but still very stable.

Choose a walker if your parent:

  • has significant balance problems, or needs to lean on something to walk
  • is recovering from a fall, surgery, or a hospital stay
  • mostly walks indoors, over short distances
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Rollators

A rollator has four wheels, hand brakes, and a built-in seat, and usually a basket or bag. It moves smoothly and handles outdoor surfaces better, and the seat means a walk to the mailbox or around the store doesn't have to end when they get tired.

Choose a rollator if your parent:

  • walks fairly steadily but tires quickly
  • wants to get out more, for errands, walks, and appointments
  • has the hand strength to use the brakes reliably

Because a rollator rolls, it doesn't provide stable support to lean on. Your parent should always lock both brakes before sitting down.

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A wheeled walker with hand brakes and a built-in seat, so your parent can stop and rest anywhere.

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Getting the fit right

  • Handle height: with your parent standing tall and arms relaxed at their sides, the handles should line up with the crease of their wrist. When they hold the handles, their elbows should bend slightly.
  • Seat height (rollators): their feet should rest flat on the floor when seated.
  • Width: measure the narrowest doorway they'll pass through, usually the bathroom.

A physical therapist can fit a mobility aid in minutes and spot problems you'd miss. It's especially worth doing after a fall or surgery.

Check coverage before you buy

If a doctor prescribes a walker or rollator, Medicare Part B may help pay for it as durable medical equipment when it comes from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. Other insurance may cover it too, so it's worth a phone call first.

For making the rest of the house easier to get around, see our home safety checklist.