Reimagining the Rollator

Dagmar Munn avatar

by Dagmar Munn |

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Did you know that rollators were invented nearly 40 years ago? A Swedish woman with polio added four wheels to her walker, and the idea was an instant success.

Most of us who use a rollator don’t really care about its history. We’re just happy they exist to help us walk with balance and confidence.

Due to my ALS, I’ve depended on a rollator for the past nine years and can’t imagine my life without one. But I’ve also been through three different models and haven’t found the ideal one yet.

Several weeks ago, an interesting email in my inbox caught my eye. It was from a junior industrial design student at California State University, Long Beach who was working on a class project called “Reimagining the experience of owning a rollator.”

While researching online, he read one of my columns about how I had changed my attitude about using a rollator. The column ended with my short wish list of rollator modifications.

His email asked if I might be interested in offering insight about what it’s like to use a rollator. Interested? You bet I am!

The questions included: Are there any improvements I’ve always wished my rollator had? When I think about my daily routine, from morning to night, are there moments when I notice a flaw in my rollator’s design or function?

What followed was a stream of back-and-forth emails. I sent my wish list of changes, he replied with sketches based on my ideas, plus more questions. It was fun and gave me the satisfaction of knowing my opinion mattered.

What were the ideas?

We discussed everything from wheels to handles, brakes to seating. Innovations included a seat that folds down from the side and extra length on the handlebars to provide support for forearms. We added pockets, storage areas, and more pockets.

There were futurist ideas, too, like having a cellphone connection station in the frame and a backrest that displays incoming calls.

My one accessory suggestion was a way to easily clean dirty wheels. I envisioned a special bristle mat. Just roll the rollator wheels back and forth a few times and voilà! The wheels are clean.

Rollators are evolving

In the 40 years that rollators have been around, the few design modifications made since then were mainly for the elderly market. Now, rollator users are on the move and want functional designs.

We already have all-terrain rollators. Others convert from a rollator to a wheelchair.

The class project is wrapping up and the final exam is coming up soon. I’m pleased to have had this unique opportunity. I hope he gets an A!

With industrial design students like my new friend focusing their minds on products like rollators, I’m hopeful we’ll see many more innovations soon.

And I hope these innovations will help us continue to live well while living with ALS.

***

Note: ALS News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of ALS News Today or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to ALS.

Comments

Carlos Carrillo avatar

Carlos Carrillo

I would add that the design allows us to walk straight not bend and putting our weight out arms and shoulders.

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Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Thank you for your suggestion Carlos :-) That would certainly be helpful. However, have you fully adjusted the height of the handles, so you won't have to bend? A suggested height is level with pant pockets. Also, much bending or poor posture is due to weak back and abdominal muscles... made worse by hours of sitting. Do try to incorporate some simple torso strengthening moves into each day. These can be done sitting, standing, or lying down. Maintaining posture is important when walking with a rollator. If you can't maintain it without straining...it may be time to begin using a power wheelchair.

Joe avatar

Joe

Where can I get an al terrain rollator? I would also like a beach rollator with balloon type wheels. If I could find the al terrain or beach wheels I could just swap them out as needed.

Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Joe - - I did a quick online search for "all terrain rollator" and this is what came up

Also: this Beach Walker. But it comes at a hefty price! Good luck in your search!

Nick Thompson avatar

Nick Thompson

If I understand correctly, let me suggest https://tryupwalker.com/

Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Perfect! Thank you!

Nick Thompson avatar

Nick Thompson

Hello, As the US rep for the Carbon Ultralight rollator from Denmark (see www.byAcre.com), this is real interesting. I can tell you, worldwide design has been advancing forward, albeit painfully slow here.

Our focus is cutting weight to 10lbs, with a carbon fiber frame, same material used in top-of-the-line racing bicycles. Every ounce counts into a car/bus/plane. +Flat folding. Our goal is total independent mobility. Better warn you not cheap at $649.

There are several new rollators, beyond ours, in development in Europe,although unlikely anytime soon here. + A bunch of ongoing IOT projects. Search "Smart Rollator".

Cudos and good luck to the student who found you. I'll pass your comments back to Denmark. Finally, if you have not seen Captain Tom Moore with his Drive Nitro in England, check it out at;

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/14/world/war-veteran-raises-millions-garden-scli-intl-gbr/index.html

Reply
Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Thank you Nick! I visited your site, and the Carbon Ultralight is "right up my alley" - - sturdy and not too fussy (with extras) plus, lots of room for leg swing! Of course, I have an affinity for Denmark; as that is where my father's family hails from - - hence, my name: Dagmar :-)

The video of Captain Tom Moore is great!

I will share your company information on our ALS News Today Forum, as we have a sub-forum dedicated to "mobility aides and assistive technology." http://alsnewstoday.com/forums/forums/forum/mobility-aides-assistive-technology-and-medical-equipment/

Michael Armstrong avatar

Michael Armstrong

Here's my wish-list, probably you've seen them all:
Wheels that don't caster outside the width of the frame. Seat arrangement allowing you to sit down without turning around. Clips for cane, grabber, etc. Fold-down shelf and cupholder.

Reply
Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Michael, you are spot on. Thank you for your suggestions :-)

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