...for Mrs. Sigmund, there's a medical supply place a few miles away. Nothing fancy, but we need a seat so she can rest. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-M...X0PU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa

I'm looking for general advice more than a specific model.

My mother and mother-in-law used a walker similar to that for years.

The retirement home where my mother lived the last few years had a lot of those style in use by residents.

My best advice is if Mrs. Sigmund is able, she should go with you to try before buying. When my wife needed one, I went and bought it and didn't come close to something user friendly for her. Fortunately, I was able to bring her and exchange the one I bought for one that was actually comfortable and had the features she wanted.

It would definitely help to have her try one if they have a demonstrator to check fit and see if she's comfortable managing it, especially the brakes. You do want to make sure that it can be adjusted to an appropriate height (see link). The handles should be the height of her wrist/heel of hand when she's standing up straight. I believe that Drive makes fairly solid walkers.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/hea.../walker/art-20546805

Thanks for the speedy replies and the link. Yes, Mrs. Sigmund will do a test drive and make the selection.

We're going to the same place where she got a cane, they were good at adjusting it and advising her on best use.

Drive brand, outstanding customer service. My Drive shower chair had a crack in the leg assembly. Local medical supply store, where I had bought the chair, refused to order a replacement part.

SIGforum member downtownv, who was (still is?) in the business, gave me contact information for Drive support.

Drive support did not send the leg assembly; they asked for a photo of the damaged part and the label showing the model number of the chair, and then sent a whole new shower chair, newer upgraded model. No charge.

I also have Drive walker, don't use it all the time (mostly use a cane), but quality of the walker is very good.

The type that you are looking at comes in several sizes, at 6'3" I needed the tallest size.

I got my sister a Drive brand "Nitro" model on the recommendation of the facility's physical therapist.

Large wheels are important for stability over any obstacles like a door threshold.

The correct size is critically important. Adjustability of the handles is part of that, so if she is bent over (my sister is extreme with this) she can find the correct height of the handles separate from the height of the seat.

Easy folding is a big bonus if you will be putting it in the car or stowing it in a closet. The Drive Nitro is a simple one hand pull up on a handle to fold it, and then to deploy it you just push down on the seat until it audibly clicks into place. No latches to fumble with or forget.

I didn't compare with other brands, but what I see at the assisted living facility is a whole bunch of Drive brand in use.

Caution... The walkers with the seat feature are for resting only and not for transportation.... Stability / tip over / dumping occupant ..... In June 2024 the wife need one and we acquired a wide load size for more stability and have since found a fairly new Drive Nitro and another seat walker that I replaced the brake cables and now they are serviceable................................ drill sgt.

Tabitha has that one for when she was undergoing chemotherapy.

I remember my gramps had one and he told me that if I ever needed one to get one with bicycle tires. His had inflatable wheels that looked like they were a smaller version of bmx tires. As Fly-Sig pointed out, large wheels are important. If this will be used outdoors with a possibility of leaving flat surfaces, you want to have the Land Rover of walkers.

After having both knee prosthesis removed due to infection, I spent 4 months between wheel chair and walker while in a care facility. I unfortunately do not recall the brand but one of the others that was also confined had a walker that he had to squeeze the brakes to release them to walk. Made more sense to me than squeezing to stop as it couldn't get away from you. Yes the large wheels are a definite asset.

The one shown in the OP is good, but not very compact for putting into a vehicle. They ARE very durable.

The Drive Nitro is much more compact for putting into a vehicle. It is a good choice if used as an aid. It might need occasional adjustments if the person is putting a lot of weight on the handles - otherwise, it IS a good one. Found a used on for my Dad before he passed - my sister is now using it.

I bought a rollator some time back
https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...070018905#4070018905
Really like it although I've found I really don't need 8" wheels all around. Makes it a PITA to fold and place in the back seat of my sedan. The extra height of the padded seat is comforting for short waits. Always make sure the wheels are locked and you exercise caution standing up.


Also have a basic folding walker for use in the house. Installed cut tennis balls on the feet closest to me. Don't really know if that was a smart move or not. Regardless it really helps around the house where the rollator is simply too big.

Nitro.

There is a German company making a rollator if you must have the best.

For just the house ?
Or
The house and concrete pavement?
Or
The lawn in the yard .

Or
Grocery shopping .

It makes a differance

This lady has great information on a lot of aspects of aids.

Check out her y.t. channel

I'm already regretting clicking the link in the OP! I expect to get never-ending spam about my assumed infirmities.

Good luck with Mrs. Sigmund's!

Give them all a test drive. Same with wheelchairs. Just like when you are buying a car.

I use the $50 one. It depends on whether one is coordinated enough to use the brakes safely.

Here's the rule of thumb.
for indoor use only- 6" wheels

outdoor/indoor 8" wheels.

suggest: medical grade vs retail product