Rolling Walkers & Rollators In Tamarac & South Florida – Sales, Rentals & Medicare Guidance
If you search for a rolling walker online, the results that come up can be confusing. You’ll see some with wheels, others with seats, and a few with no wheels at all. These mobility aids are often considered to be the same, but they have significant differences and meet specific needs.
To choose the right device for your situation, it’s important to understand the features that make a pickup walker, a rolling walker, and a rollator different from each other.
Walkers, Rolling Walkers, And Rollators: What’s The Difference?
While the basic design is similar across all three, additional features change how the equipment is used and who will be comfortable using it.
Pickup Walker
The most basic walker is a lightweight, four-legged frame with no wheels. The legs are rubber-tipped for non-slip grip and are height-adjustable to make them comfortable to use. This simple design is typically made from aluminum, which is light and strong. They’re easy for a user with enough upper body strength to lift and move, while still being strong enough to provide reliable body-weight support.
Pickup walkers are ideal for:
- Balance support for those with severe balance issues
- Weight relief to shift pressure away from a healing hip, knee, or foot
- Fall prevention as it creates a wide base of support
- Covering shorter distances
Rolling Walker
A rolling walker has the same frame as a pickup walker, but with two wheels fitted to the front legs, while the back legs are rubber-tipped. The frame is rolled along the floor without the need for lifting, while the back legs simply slide.
Consider a rolling walker for:
- Individuals with good balance who require additional support
- Those who’d find lifting a walker tiring
- Covering longer distances on smooth, flat surfaces
- Comfortable indoor and outdoor use.
Rollator
A rollator is a frame mounted on three or four swiveling wheels, fitted with a seat and a basket. Unlike the other two walkers, rollators come with handlebars and brakes. The three-wheel models are highly maneuverable, while the four-wheel rollators provide more stability.
Rollators are ideal for:
- Individuals with good mobility who need a touch of extra support.
- Covering longer distances, with the option of short, seated rests
- Those with enough arm and hand strength to apply brakes.
Will Medical Insurance Cover The Purchase Of A Walking Aid?
Whether medical insurance will cover the purchase of a walking aid depends on your specific policy, so it is essential to confirm the details directly with your insurer. However, according to Medicare guidelines, there are common requirements for walkers and rollators.
- A formal evaluation is conducted to assess your mobility needs and determine how you will use the equipment in your daily environment.
- Coverage is generally based on providing the lowest level of equipment necessary to safely meet those needs, rather than higher-end or more advanced options.
- Your physician, healthcare provider, and equipment supplier work together to evaluate your condition and recommend a suitable mobility aid that qualifies for funding.
- In some cases, if the recommended product falls outside standard coverage, you may choose to pay an out-of-pocket fee by signing an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN).
- A home evaluation may also be required to ensure suitability.
Buying vs. Renting A Walking Aid
Here at Affordable Medical Supply, we sell and rent out walking aids to give South Florida families options for meeting their loved ones’ mobility needs.
Consider these benefits when deciding:
Buying Your Own Walker
Owning a walking aid takes an initial investment, but is cost-effective in the long term. Having their own walker benefits your loved one as familiarity builds confidence. The more they use the device, the more comfortable they’ll feel. You also have complete freedom to customize the device in both practical and stylish ways. Before investing, speak to our team to make sure you’re getting the most suitable walking aid for your situation.
Renting A Walking Aid
For short-term use, consider our mobility aid rental service. This is handy for accommodating visiting friends and family, filling in while waiting for insurance benefit verification, recovery from surgery, or testing out a new device before making a big purchase.
Other Factors To Consider When Choosing A Walking Aid
A walking aid is meant to make life more comfortable. Small, practical details can make a big difference in daily use. Here are some factors to keep in mind when considering the options:
- How easy is it to transport and store the device?
- Do you need a device that folds away for storage in between use?
- Is the walker height adjustable?
- Do you need accessories such as cup holders or trays for added independence?
- Can the walker be adjusted or upgraded to accommodate changing needs?
- Are the hand grips comfortable, especially if you have arthritis or sensitive joints?
- Will the wheels handle the surfaces in your environment, such as carpets, tiles, or outdoor paving?
Find Rolling Walkers In Tamarac and South Florida
Here at Affordable Medical Supply, our goal is to ensure you get the equipment you need to improve the quality of your life. Our top priority is to get you back on your feet, and to do this, we offer:
- Assistance with Medicare or other insurance matters.
- A flexible buy-or-rent option which lets you test drive the mobility device to find the right fit or use it for short-term needs without investing.
- Convenient in-store fitting at our Tamarac branch. You’ll be in the expert hands of our experienced staff who understand the equipment and how to make it work for you.
- Local delivery across Broward County, Palm Beach County, and all of South Florida.
Contact Affordable Medical Supply today to request a delivery quote, or stop by our Tamarac showroom. With over 45 years of experience in this field, our team will take you through the process, explain your options, and make sure you are satisfied with the solution you walk out with.
