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A Few Tips for Buying ID Bracelets for the Elderly

March 2, 2017 by tony 1 Comment

If you’re concerned about an aging parent, relative, friend or neighbor, you might want to think about investing in ID bracelets for the elderly.

These bracelets can keep that person safe in the event of an emergency, as first responders can use the information on the bracelet to determine that person’s condition and the best treatment for them.

ID bracelets for seniors can also be very useful for those who have Alzheimer’s or any other dementia disorder, as this person may appear to be physically fine but, because of their diminished mental capacity, they could not assist in telling someone their own name, their address, and the like.

When you are ready to buy some ID bracelets for the elderly and seniors, note a few tips to keep in mind. This will ensure you get pieces that work with their needs in particular, and that you know they will wear these bracelets and be happy with them for years to come.

1. Start with information

The first thing to consider when it comes to ID bracelets for the elderly is the information the bracelet should display. For some conditions, a simple word is sufficient, such as “DIABETES.” First responders will then know how to assess a person’s symptoms and to administer medication if needed.

However, for other wearers of ID bracelets for seniors, you may need more crucial information. For an Alzheimer’s patient, their name, the emergency contact of a caregiver, their doctor’s name, and other such info can be very important. A person with an allergy to common medications such as penicillin may also need that noted on their bracelet.

Your family doctor is the best source of information about what should be included on ID bracelets for the elderly. He or she can note if there are any important symbols that should be on the front, as well as any other details to include.

2. Consider weight and comfort

When buying ID bracelets for the elderly and seniors, you need to consider the weight of the bracelet as well as its overall comfort, perhaps more so than one you would buy for a child or yourself. Seniors often have a lack of muscle tone in their arms, so that a very heavy chain link bracelet can actually cause muscle fatigue by the end of the day. This can be especially true if the wearer uses their hands and arms often throughout the day, such as someone who works a cash register, tinkers with the car, knits, or who still loves to garden.

Note, too, that an elderly person’s skin might be very sensitive. A wire material for ID bracelets for the elderly might be uncomfortable and even painful, as it may chafe the skin and cause irritation. That heavy metal link bracelet might also cause some skin irritation. A soft silicone rubber can be the best choice for seniors, as it’s very lightweight and very soft. You might also opt for leather or a canvas material, or a soft and lightweight set of beads for the band of ID bracelets for the elderly. Braided parachute material is also very soft and lightweight, and also very durable.

3. Can they manage it on their own?

Another consideration when it comes to choosing ID bracelets for the elderly is if they can manage the bracelet on their own. Arthritic fingers may struggle to open and close a tiny lobster claw clasp, or to hold a chain bracelet in place when trying to open or close it. Many ID bracelets for seniors are purposely made with oversized clasps that are located on either side of the face, so they’re easier to open and close.

A clasp that has two ends that actually twist together might also be an easier choice for a senior, as they can simply hold one end and twist the other to get the bracelet in place. For someone with very limited dexterity and even failing eyesight, oversized silicone rubber ID bracelets for the elderly that simply slide on and that work without any clasp can be even better. A cuff design is also good; this simply slips over the wrist sideways, and then moved into position. Whatever your choice for ID bracelets for the elderly, be sure the wearer can manage it easily and won’t be tempted to leave it at home because they can’t get the clasp to work.

Where To Buy ID Bracelets for the Elderly

There are several dedicated websites that sell such bracelets, like American Medical ID, but by far the biggest collection will be found at Amazon, which has found a way to sell virtually everything.

They have ID bracelets for the elderly based around…

The material they are made of, whether that is rubber, stainless steel or sterling silver
Disease-specific bracelets, like those for epilepsy, allergies or diabetes

My Favorite

My personal favorite is the engraved option, which you can see the sample of below…

It is engravable with your choice of content on the item. I personally love the “See Med Card” you can put on the bottom so that EMS workers can then go to your wallet or purse to look for the emergency medical card, which will have more in depth information that you cannot fit on the ID bracelet.

This is definitely the type of item that would provide peace of mind for everyone involved so if you are a senior of a caregiver this is something that needs to be a priority in my opinion.

Trump and Social Security…Round One

February 28, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

President Trump came into Washington as a bull in a China shop, whether you love him or hate him. As such, he literally threatens to “upset the apple-cart” on just about every establishment point of there. Needless to say, for many who are relying on these establishment points of view, they are worried.

Now, I am not here to focus on whether or not Trump is “draining the swamp” as he put it. I will let others bloviate about this.
But as an advocate for seniors, one of the things I have been watching carefully has been the effect of President Trump’s policies on seniors and most of all on the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid systems they rely on.

I have previously written in the campaign season about Trump’s policy promises as a candidate, his meeting with pharmaceutical manufacturers regarding the cost of prescription drugs and potential Social Security changes under Trump.

That last article, discussing the confirmation hearing of Mick Mulvaney as Budget Director, was probably the most worrisome of all of the news for many senior advocates. You see, Mulvaney is a budget hawk, to say the least. He has been on record in the past as saying that there have to be fundamental changes to Medicare and Social Security for both programs to survive. As I put it in the article (and this is my analysis)…

“If ANYONE has been paying attention, they understand that both Social Security and Medicare are living on borrowed time. Depending upon the estimate you find, both programs are in the hole from $50,000,000,000,000 – $100,000,000,000,000 dollars. By the way, that’s 50 TRILLION to 100 TRILLION dollars in unfunded liabilities.

It is fundamentally impossible to shore up these programs with additional taxes alone. The quicker we come to that realization that better.”

That is my take as a 46-year old who knows those programs won’t be around for me. I understand that and am taking action to prepare myself. But what of all the others out there?

What this country needs is someone with political courage to point out the facts to the American people and make the changes NOW, because the sooner we fix this the less pain we will all experience. But what do we get instead?

We get Trump’s first budget proposal, which will spare these programs from any cuts now. On the surface, this sounds wonderful, but as the Yahoo! Finance article explains, Social Security and Medicare are living on borrowed time and don’t need a “kick the can down the road approach”. They need real leadership and moral courage to fix.

Instead, what will we be getting from this first budget proposal…

No entitlement cuts
Plans to cut middle class taxes
Simplify the tax code
Spend an extra $56,000,000,000 on Defense

All of these may be great talking points but they leave serious questions to address…

With all of the entitlement programs hurtling towards bankruptcy, what measures will be taken to fix the massive amount of unfunded liabilities in these programs (currently estimated at up to $100,000,000,000,000 [that’s trillion])
How are we going to cut taxes and spend more on Defense without exploding the debt even further?
I am all for a strong defense but an extra $56,000,000,000 (billion)? If you list all the countries by military expenditure, the United Kingdom comes in #5 in world expenditure with $55,000,000,000 TOTAL.

By contrast, Russia spends $66 billion TOTAL, Saudi Arabia $87 billion and China about $215 billion.

This is a colossal amount of money and with the current state of our economy one must wonder if that money could be better allocated.

Which brings me back to Social Security, Medicare and such. There will be no cuts this year, or likely throughout a Trump Administration. This is obviously a good thing short-term. A promise was made many years ago by the government to those retiring today and it should be kept.

What I worry about, as I have studied these programs more and more, is that they are ticking time bombs, and when they eventually turn negative, as every single government report indicates they will, the results will be devastating. But for the moment, all will continue as is. And that’s the problem.

Senior Longevity: 4 Aspects Of Your Health You Can’t Afford To Ignore

February 28, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

Taking care of your overall health becomes much more important when you are older. As you age, your body will no longer have the ability to quickly recover from everyday illnesses and ailments. Here is a look at four symptoms you should never ignore in your senior years.

Arthritic Pain

There are over 100 different types of arthritis, and the CDC claims that nearly 23 percent of the adult population will develop one of these joint conditions at some point. Most forms of arthritis can be taken care of with physical therapy and over-the-counter painkillers, but seniors should never ignore ongoing joint pain. In some cases, surgery must be carried out to prevent further injuries from taking place. Avoiding chronic pain and inflammation could result in permanent damage to the ligaments and bones.

Vision Problems

Macular degeneration is one of the most common age-related medical issues. When it is caught early, seniors and their eye doctors can typically delay the degeneration with medication and lifestyle changes. That is why most experts suggest that seniors schedule eye appointments at least once a year or whenever they notice any unusual problems with their vision. Scheduling regular appointments, with professionals like those at All About Eyes, to update your prescription for eyeglasses or contacts could also prevent secondary complications such as headaches and eye strain.

Toothaches

No matter how often you brush and floss, there may come a point when it feels as if you can no longer protect your natural teeth. Even with amazing advances to the field of preventative dentistry, tooth loss and tooth decay are both very common problems among the elderly. Toothaches are generally a sign that the interior of a tooth has become infected. When a tooth infection is diagnosed early, the dentist might be able to preserve the tooth. Severe tooth infections almost always require an extraction followed by a dental implant.

High Blood Pressure

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to many serious health conditions, and this warning sign should never be taken lightly. Those who fail to bring their blood pressure down will have a much higher chance of developing medical complications such as blood clots, dementia, and heart disease. For most older patients, comprehensive lifestyle changes can bring their blood pressure down dramatically. Until it is at a safe level, the doctor might suggest blood pressure medication.

When it comes to your health and longevity, you should always err on the side of caution. In addition to keeping your eye out for these signs and symptoms, you should also schedule regular appointments with your primary doctor, optometrist, and dentist.

Home Care Solutions

February 28, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

With the rising costs of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, it is becoming obvious that cost effective home care solutions will be required so our aging population can age-in-place. And it is fortunate for me that in my role with the Aging-In-Place Council I have the privilege of working with someone who I consider to be one of the best in the country in dealing with the subject.

Laura Giunta is a home care solutions expert with AMR Care Group and brings years of experience to assisting caregivers with all manner of home care solutions for their loved ones. Whether you are looking for a few hours of companion care to 24-hour live-in care, if you are Long Island Laura is the “go-to” person on the subject.

I asked her to write a little bit about the need for home care solutions and the options that caregivers have…

It is no secret that most of today’s senior population would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age. Remaining at home allows them to maintain their independence. Keeping to their own routines and schedules is a comfort and allows a sense of normalcy as their bodies and minds are altered by time.

Loss of independence can cause severe emotional distress. It has been linked to depression and negative health outcomes. Moving is often done in crisis without proper thought or planning. This can be extremely traumatic. Decades of memories and meaningful items have been collected and tell the story of their life. The thought of losing these belongings can feel like a loss of who they are as an individual. Unfortunately, many aging adults have difficulty performing the tasks of daily living. It can be hard to get proper nutrition and meet care needs.

For some remaining at home is simply not an option due to financial or health constraints. Thankfully with the proper planning and guidance, a safe and even pleasurable transition is attainable. Seeking out solutions and taking a step by step approach to planning for long term care allows seniors to maintain their dignity throughout the chosen path.

Aging in place brings on its own set of challenges. Families struggle to find solutions that allow loved ones to live on their own safely and to obtain the care they need. Many seniors are unable to leave the home and venture into the community. Some are unable to ambulate while others may be isolated due to lack of transportation. This leaves seniors and their families searching for home care solutions to bridge the gap.

Care Management firms such as AMR Care Group offer the solutions and guidance that families need to successfully age in place. With such an abundance of goods and services available to seniors in today’s marketplace it can be an impossible maze to navigate. AMR takes the guesswork, anxiety and confusion away. A team of exemplary professionals with vetted resources will plan, advocate and assist in meeting all of your care goals to provide a better quality of life.

Laura Giunta
AMR Care Group
500 N. Broadway Suite 222
Jericho, NY 11753-2127
516 605-0434 office phone
516-342-7114 Direct/fax

Manhattan Office
275 Madison Ave.
6th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(646)828-7681

www.amrcaregroup.com

Can Heart Disease Be Reversed?

February 27, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

Can heart disease be reversed? As incredible as it sounds, the answer is an emphatic yes…and there has been multiple peer-reviewed scientific studies that have shown this to be the case.

More importantly, while this article is being geared towards seniors, one of the examples I will be giving in this article is myself…as there was a time several years ago when I was very overweight, out-of-shape and was experiencing constant heart palpitations…at a time in my life when I had no health insurance and could not get myself checked out.

So I write from personal experience here, and often that is the best way to teach…

How I Answered “Can Heart Disease Be Reversed” for Myself

Let’s go back to 2007. At the time I was 60 pounds overweight and lived a sedentary life. Very little movement to begin with and no structured exercise at all.

And it was at this time, when I was at my physical worst, that I started to experience heart palpitations…chest pains. And I can tell you that at age 36, that is not a good feeling to say the least.

So if I can be that bad at age 36, I can only imagine how bad it would be for seniors.

How A Solution Presented Itself

Note: Nothing that I am writing here should be considered a recommendation for you NOT to see a doctor and get checked out. ALWAYS seek out competent medical advice IMMEDIATELY if you are experiencing similar symptoms.

I was at the library one day when just by chance I can=me across a book, a book which literally could save your life.

The book was titled “Eat More Weigh Less“ by Dr. Dean Ornish. And if you were overweight would that title intrigue you?

After taking it out of the library and reading it…while the book is long about 80% of the book was recipes, the science was contained to the first 90 pages or so.

In it, Doctor Ornish outlines how he has cured atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of arteries that leads to heart disease, heart attack, stroke, etc…through lifestyle changes alone!

To me this was stunning. Here was a medical doctor saying that that the answer to “can heart disease be reversed” was an emphatic yes, but that it would be done WITHOUT surgery or medications.

And at the time I didn’t have health insurance as I said, so my philosophy was simple. What did I have to lose?

So I decided to give it a go.

Ornish’s Program

The Ornish program comes down to 3 core principles:

A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily (a good power walk would do it)
Yoga and meditation to deal with stress and the spiritual aspects of healing
An EXTREMELY low-fat diet, where no more than 10% of your calories come from fat

In looking at the 3 principles, it’s pretty obvious to see that the first and second are not that bad. The third is the kicker.

Obviously, the third is the key to the program and the most difficult to pull off. But I can tell you from personal experience that when you are concerned about chest pains, it is a hell of a lot easier to have the discipline to eat right than under normal circumstances.

How I Did It

Let me quickly go over the first two. I started going to the gym and got more than the recommended 30 minutes a day of exercise. And I did the yoga for a while but have to admit that it really isn’t “my thing” so I sometimes did my yoga and sometimes didn’t.

To this day I will easily do a one-hour, four-mile power walk but have difficulty keeping the concentration to do even a 30-minute yoga routine.

But when it came to eating, that is the tough part…and let me tell you how I did that.

Semi-Vegetarian

While Ornish advocates a vegetarian lifestyle, I followed what I would describe as being a “semi- vegetarian”. For most of the time, I did eat only vegetables, but the times that I ate meat I made sure it was lean meats and grass-fed varieties as opposed to grain-fed.

As Dr. Ornish said, “If you cannot be a vegetarian, at least you can eat one.”

Pre-Planning Your Meals

There was NOTHING that was more important to me than planning my meals the night before. In this respect I knew…

What I was eating the next day and when
How many calories I was consuming
By reading the nutrition facts label I was able to calculate how many of those calories were coming from fat

And most of all, by planning my meals in advance I was able to avoid the fast food runs that plague us all.

The Results

Well, can heart disease be reversed? I can tell you from personal experience it can. I lost 60 pounds over the course of 6 months and a few months later, had to go to the hospital to have a cyst removed.

When I started to have the preliminary blood work done, the doctors felt it wasn’t necessary to complete most of the tests.

The reason? My results were so good that those remaining tests were unnecessary. It was rare that they came across someone whose cholesterol, blood pressure, A1C levels, triglycerides…the works…were that good.

So while I am definitely suggesting that you go to the doctor and get yourself checked out, you can be rest assured that assured from my personal experience that you can successfully answer the question yourself, “Can heart disease be reversed”.

Where Can I Trade In A Wheelchair?

February 25, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

The next post in my new series…Your Questions Answered. I take questions from my readership and then answer them.

“I have a bariatric wheelchair that I like to trade if possible for a smaller wheelchair to fit a 190lb senior male. Any ideas as to where I could inquire about this?”

Well, I never received a question like this before. I have gotten questions about where to buy a wheelchair, but trade one in? No. So, I looked into it…

Now, there are a lot of places to sell your used wheelchair. Places like Craigslist, eBay, etc…

But one of the few places I found to take a trade-in nationwide was TopMobility. They assess the value of your trade-in, arrange for the pickup and then you receive credits towards a future purchase. So if you are looking to trade in a wheelchair go to http://www.topmobility.com/trade-in-program.htm and get the details there.

Looking for an easy cell phone. I want the numbers to be large, no contract.

February 24, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

The 2nd post in the new series…Your Questions Answered. I take questions from my readership and then answer them.

The question from Elle was question,

“Looking for an easy cell phone. I want the numbers to be large, no contract. Not too sure about the Jitterbug or Consumer Cellular. Would like to learn how to text, too. Nothing fancy, just simple to use. Thanks a lot. “

Well Elle, I have written a lot about cell phones in the past.

I have stuff on finding free phones through the government’s cell phone program here:

Free Cell Phones for Seniors

I also wrote about updates to that program where you can get a smartphone here:

Free Smartphones for Low Income Families

And wrote about senior-friendly phone here:

Best Phones for Seniors

But that last article is over a year old, so I decided to take a look and see if there was something else that struck my eye.

And that’s when I came across the Snapfon!

Quite frankly the Snapfon seems to be exactly what Elle is looking for, with…

Big Buttons & Numbers
Easy to read full color screen
Enhanced volume & Speaker phone
Speaking keypad
Hearing Aid Compatible (M3/T3)
Bluetooth enabled
Extra-long battery life
SOS button (sosPlus® Mobile)
8 speed dial keys
Camera & Color photo album
LED flashlight
4 Alarm Modes

The only thing that I really needed to check for Elle was if they came without a contract, as she asked.

As it turns out, there is a No Contract Option.

You can get the phone for $80 without the contract, or if you opt for their plans you get the phone for $30.

You can get more details from Snapfon here.

And there are other services, like the SOS monitoring service for an extra $15 a month. On the back of the phone there is an “SOS” red emergency button.

As Snapfon describes it…

“Our sosPlus® Mobile Monitoring Service can be activated just by pressing the SOS button on the back of your ezTWO for 5 seconds. A trained and certified operator will answer your call on the first ring and greet you by name. Our professional operators have your medical history and emergency contact list and know who to dispatch in case of trouble. We will even remain on the line with you until help arrives. When no one else can be there for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we are proud to be your lifeline.”

So there are plenty of options and this seems like the ideal type of phone Elle was looking for.

I hope this help her as well as everyone else.

How To Get Approved For Care Credit

February 24, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

There will be times when you might need to finance a medical procedure. I can speak from first-hand experience because I am currently about to go through Lasik surgery to correct my astigmatism in my eyes. But insurance doesn’t cover the cost. There are options to finance such procedures, such as through Care Credit. So, I am going to show you how to get approved for Care Credit.

First of all, you will need to go to a medical facility that takes Care Credit. And before I went for my Lasik surgery, I have to tell you I had never heard of them. But I decided to check it to as opposed to having to pay $3,750 for the surgery out-of-pocket in one lump sum.

Care Credit is a financing option that is affiliated with over 175,000 enrolled providers throughout the US. It functions like a credit card, where you go through an approval process that is based upon income and your credit score. I am going to show you step-by-step how I got approved plus the credit options available.

The first step in figuring out how to get approved for Care Credit is to go to their website and fill out the online application. Your doctor needs to take Care Credit and be on their list of providers. You find that out by entering the facility name (for me “North Shore Eye Care”) and searching until you find the correct provider.

Once you find the right one, click “Apply” on the far right…

From here, you enter the requested amount to cover the procedure in the upper left and then enter all of the information below it, just as you would filling out a credit card…

After filling out the application towards the bottom there are the standard insurance options for a credit card. For example, coverage for your payments if you become disabled and cannot work or lose your job.

Once all your information is accepted, then you click “Submit” and wait while your application is processed. For me, the approval came within less than a minute…

I got approved for $5500, which is more than enough to cover the procedure.

Care Credit Patient Payment Plans

Now, once your procedure is done you need to pay off the procedure and need to know what the care credit patient payment plans are. Currently, as I write this in 2017, there is no interest if your procedure is paid within 6 to 24-month period. Your options for the length of the period are…

6 months
12 months
18 months
24 months

The term is up to you and what the provider will accept. For me, I have the interest-free, 24-month option that I will be using. I am putting $1250 down and financing the remaining $2500, for payments of just over $100 a month for the 2 years.

But if the procedure is more expensive and/or you need a longer term beyond two years, financing is still available but you will be paying interest. You can select between 24, 36, 48 and 60 monthly installments. The interest, however, is not cheap. The 24 – 48-month installment come at 14.9% interest and the 60-month installment payments come at a rate of 16.9% interest.

So, this is what you need to know when it comes to how to get approved for Care Credit and also the Care Credit patient payment plans that are available.

If You Go Into a Nursing Home Do You Have To Hand Over Your Money and Home?

February 22, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

Today, I am starting a new feature on the blog…Your Questions Answered.

This is where my readership send s me a question, I answer it and then publish the answer. For the longest time I have gotten questions and answered people directly.

Now, however, I am going to start to publish these answers.

The first question comes from Betty J., who asks…

I would like to know if you go into a nursing home do I have to hand over my money and home?

And here is my answer…

Betty,

That’s a great question, but it’s also a legal question so you need to understand first that I am not a lawyer and as such cannot give legal advice.

However, I can tell you how to proceed to get the advice you need.

So let go over some particulars…

1) Nursing home costs are HUGE. In 2012 when my mother was approved for Medicaid to pay for her nursing home costs it was $14,200 a MONTH for the facility
2) There are specific, legal ways for you to shield your assets from nursing home costs, but I would recommend that you get competent legal advice specific to the state you are in so that you can legally protect your assets.

Here is why…

First, you need to understand that Medicaid is a joint Federal/State program. This means that each state has its own rules regarding what is permitted when it comes to protecting your assets from the long term care costs like a nursing home.

Something that is an allowed practice in one state is actually illegal in another.

Second, you must deal with the “Medicaid Look Back Period”, which currently stands at 5 years. This means that when you apply for Medicaid to cover nursing home costs the government will look back into your financial history for 5 years to see what money you had back then. They are looking to see if you have transferred any money to relatives to make it look like you are destitute so that Medicaid will pay for the nursing home.

So, understanding that you have to deal with this 5 year look back period, how do you go about protecting as much of your money and your home as possible?

The first thing to do is to realize you need to start NOW. Take action immediately. And what I would recommend is to see an elder law attorney in your area to go over your finances and see what can be legally protected.

This brings up the question. How do you find the right elder law attorney for you? There are two suggestions I could give you…

1) Many elder law attorneys have free seminars where you can go and ask questions like the one you are asking me. I attended one and wrote about it. You can view that article by clicking here.

2) If you can’t find a local seminar (and you should be able to because they are advertised all over the place) then you need to go through my tips on how to find an elder law attorney.

They are listed here…

I hope this helps. Good luck and get started NOW protecting yourself.

If you have a question, feel free to ask it by contacting me here.

What A Walker with Wheels and Seat Can Do For You

February 20, 2017 by tony Leave a Comment

A walker with wheels and seat, otherwise known as a rollator, is becoming a more and more common mode of transportation assistance for seniors. But there are plenty of makes and models, there are different costs, and then there are also safety concerns to be aware of.

So, for all of these reasons I want to give you as much information on a walker with wheels and seat as possible, so you can make as informed a decision as possible as to whether or not this is a good device for you.

Price of a Walker With Wheels and Seat

A “normal” walker will cost you around $30. But the rollator, a walker with wheels and seat, will run you more than that. Sometimes a lot more. But there is more to look at than just price. I will tell you that they can go from $70 up to several hundred dollars, and I will discuss payment options later.

Features and Benefits To Look For

These are a few of the features that are common to most models. Be sure to check the particulars before purchasing yours…

Seat

The biggest advantage of the walker with wheels and seat is the seat itself. It is there so that someone has the ability to rest wherever they are. So you should be looking for an ergonomic seat with very good padding. Investing in a model with a seamless seat might be a better long term investment.

Storage

Many of these rollators come with a basket in front to store items or a pouch that can be zippered. The pouch, which is normally placed under the seat, adds an element of privacy and security for personal items.

Tires

The tires should be sturdy and also capable of handling both indoor and outdoor terrain.

Backrest

The backrest is far more important than you think. It is really an important safety device to keep someone from falling out of the rollator when they are resting. It should be…

Removable
Hinged
Padded
Foldable

Make sure to check the walker with wheels and seat you eventually buy so that the backrest does in fact have these features.

Handles

The handles should be easy-to-grip and additionally ergonomically designed so that it is easy to hang onto but also easy to work the braking mechanism.

The Brakes

Of all of the accidents that I have read about with a rollator the vast majority have to do with the braking mechanism. Not that the braking mechanism is defective, but from improper use by the senior who is using the rollator. So, I want to take some time and detail some of the things that you should be looking out for…

The actual brakes have serrated edges to them so that they grip into the rubber of the wheel better for better braking. Note the picture below of the sample rollator I am using for the pictures. The brakes ARE NOT serrated, which means that this model of walker with wheels and seat is a little more susceptible to having a braking issue.

Next, you want to make sure that it is simple to actually work the braking mechanism for the person operating it. Most of the time the brakes are under the handles. You push downward to activate the brake…

And then pull them parallel to the handles as shown below to release the brakes.

For me, this is the single most important part of evaluating a walker with wheels and seat. I have heard some reviews of the braking system getting misused causing the device to slip out from under someone trying to sit with it.

So, it would be up to a caregiver to make a determination whether or not your loved one could still safely use the walker with wheels and seat.

Now that you know all about the walker with seat and wheels, let me show you a few models to give you an idea as to the prices…

Rollators In The $50 – $75 Range

Walker With Seat and Wheels	Features We Love	Rating
Drive Medical Four Wheel Rollator with Fold Up Removable Back Support, Red	- Comes with a durable padded seat and and a padded backrest that can be folded up or down - Sturdy Steel frame comes with a basket for storing personal items - 7.5" non-marring casters are ideal for indoor and outdoor use and deluxe loop-locks to ensure rollator will not slip when seated	(4.5 / 5)
Drive Medical Aluminum Rollator Walker Fold Up and Removable Back Support, Padded Seat, 8" Casters, Blue	- Comes with new seamless padded seat and a zippered pouch underneath seat for added privacy and security of personal items - Removable, hinged, padded backrest can be folded up or down - Ergonomic handles are easy to grip and are adjustable - Easy-to-use deluxe loop locks and Brakes with serrated edges provide a firm hold	(4.5 / 5)
Healthcare Direct 100RA Steel Rollator Walker with 350 lb. Weight Capacity, Burgundy	- Steel Rollator Walker supports up to 350 lbs - 6 inch wheels - Comfortable padded seat and backrest allow users to sit if they become tired - Bag under seat provides additional storage - Rolling Walker weighs 19 lbs and folds flat for easy storage and transportation	(4.0 / 5)
Drive Medical Aluminum Rollator Walker Fold Up and Removable Back Support, Padded Seat, 6" Wheels, Red	- Comes with a seamless padded seat and a zippered pouch underneath the seat for added privacy and security of personal items - Removable, hinged, padded backrest can be folded up or down - 6" Black non-marring casters with soft grip tires are ideal for indoor and outdoor use - Easy-to-use deluxe loop locks and Brakes with serrated edges provide a firm hold - Handle Height: 32-37"; Seat Dimensions: 12"(D) x 14"(W) x 20"(H); Weight Capacity: 300 lbs	(4.5 / 5)

Rollators Over $75

Walker With Seat and Wheels	Features We Love	Rating
Hugo Elite Rollator Walker with Seat, Backrest and Saddle Bag, Blue	- This blue rollator walker has a 2 inch height adjustable built-in seat with backrest that provides a perfect place to sit and rest, includes a convenient under seat storage bag and additional saddle bag - Hugo's Rollator has height adjustable handle bars for proper posture and ergonomic hand grips which place your hands at a natural angle for comfort and better brake access - Tool-free assembly makes this rolling walker quick and easy to set up, simple to fold down and fits into most car trunks	(4.5 / 5)
Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Red Rollator Walker, Red	- Brake cable tucked inside lightweight aluminum frame for added safety - Handsome and removable zippered storage bag with a unique bag attachment that keeps bag securely in place when rollator is open or folded - Large 10" front casters allow optimal steering and rolling comfort; Caster fork design enhances turning radius	(5.0 / 5)
Medline Freedom Ultralight Rollator Burgundy	- Lightweight frame supports up to 250 pound and weighs only 11 pounds - Arms and seat are height adjustable to accommodate users 4'11" to 6'4" - Padded seat and backrest for added comfort; Convenient storage bag under seat; Easy grip brakes for added safety	(4.5 / 5)
Medline Folding Rollator Walker with Folding 8-inch Wheel, Blue	- Large 8" wheels are ideal for outdoor terrain and fully padded seat and extra thick backrest provide a quality resting area. - 20" between handles; 22" seat height; height min./max. is 32.5"-37.5" - Product weight is 17 pounds - Weight Capacity: 300 pounds	(4.0 / 5)

For the most part, there wasn’t that much of a difference between the different models by price. The only exception to that would be the Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Red Rollator Walker, Red. That one seems to be the class of the walkers with wheels and seat, but the others seem very similar.

Make sure to check for yourself and check the safety features.