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A rollator is a four-wheeled walking aid. It is used to add support when standing and walking, to give a seat for rests on longer distances, and to carry small items. This page covers what rollators are used for and the general use rules published by patient-education sources, situation by situation.
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Who uses it: people who need extra support in standing and walking, and the clinic and care staff who set up and teach the use of walking aids.
What a rollator is
MS Ireland’s MoveSmart safety presentation defines a rollator as “a four wheeled walking aid.” Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s patient education describes the working parts people handle: a lever under each handle that locks and unlocks the brakes and height-adjustable handles. Rollators fold, and not all models behave the same, so the instructions that come with the specific rollator take priority over any general page, including this one.
For the difference between a rollator and a standard frame walker, see what is a walker.
What rollators are used for
MS Ireland lists these benefits of a rollator:
- Increased support in standing and walking.
- A seat to rest on over longer distances.
- Use for both indoor and outdoor walks.
- Taking pressure off one or both legs.
- A basket or seat bag to carry things.
The same presentation cites a systematic review (Mundt et al., 2019, European Review of Aging and Physical Activity 16(1), doi:10.1186/s11556-019-0222-5) on gait with different aids. As summarised there, crutches and frames gave an asymmetrical gait, a rollator kept step length, stance and swing symmetrical, and two-wheeled walkers had to be lifted, which reduced speed and step length.
How to use a rollator: brakes, standing, sitting, walking
How do you lock and release the brakes?
Push down the lever under each handle until you feel it click into place to lock. To unlock, pull the lever up until the click releases (Memorial Sloan Kettering).
How do you stand up with a rollator?
Lock the brakes before standing. Push off the surface you are sitting on, never pull on the rollator because it may tip back, and only then place your hands on the handgrips (MS Ireland).
How do you sit down on a rollator or chair?
Turn until the bed or chair touches the back of your legs, click the brakes down, then reach back slowly to the armrests and sit down in a controlled manner (MS Ireland).
How do you walk with a rollator?
Release the brakes slightly but always keep some pressure on them. Keep your feet just inside the wheels and avoid placing the rollator too far in front of you (MS Ireland).
Situation guide: brakes and technique
| Situation | General rule from the source |
|---|---|
| Standing up | Brakes locked; push off the seat you are on; never pull on the rollator. |
| Sitting down | Seat touches the back of the legs; brakes clicked down; reach back slowly and sit in a controlled way. |
| Walking | Keep slight pressure on the brakes; feet just inside the wheels; do not place the aid too far ahead. |
| Slopes | Keep slight pressure on the brakes, more on a slope, and/or have someone beside you. |
| Kerbs | Tilt the frame to lift the front wheels, then the back wheels; all four wheels level before stepping; squeeze the brakes. |
| Uneven surfaces such as grass | The wheels must be large enough; approach slowly. |
| Turning | Move the rollator as you turn, keep the handles parallel to your body, turn in a circle and avoid twisting your back. |
| Stairs | Never use a rollator on stairs. |
Source for every row: MS Ireland, “How to use a Rollator safely” (MoveSmart presentation).
Fitting: seat height and handle height
Two measurements appear in the sources. Both are taken in normal shoes.
| Measurement | How it is set | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | Measure from the floor to the crease at the back of the knee; that is the required seat height. | MS Ireland |
| Handle height | Stand with arms by your sides and elbows slightly bent; the handles sit level with the wrist. Adjust the bolt to the hole closest to that height and repeat on the other side. | MS Ireland; Memorial Sloan Kettering |
Safe use and handling basics
- Check the brakes before each use.
- Wear footwear that fits.
- Do not step around or leave the rollator behind while walking.
- Fold only on a level surface with the brakes locked, so the rollator does not roll away (Memorial Sloan Kettering).
- MS Ireland’s pre-walk checklist is short: am I safe, have I checked the brakes, am I concentrating, where are my feet.
Common mistakes
- Pulling on the rollator to stand up, which may tip it back.
- Standing or sitting with the brakes unlocked.
- Placing the rollator too far in front when walking.
- Using it on stairs.
- Twisting the back to turn instead of turning in a circle with the rollator.
Other mobility aids are covered in what is a cane and the crutches, canes and ankle braces guide. Wheelchairs are a separate product class: see what is a wheelchair.
FAQ
What is a rollator used for?
Support in standing and walking, a seat for rests, taking pressure off the legs, indoor and outdoor walking, and carrying items in a basket.
How do you use a rollator?
Lock the brakes to stand or sit, keep light pressure on the brakes while walking, keep your feet just inside the wheels, and follow the situation table above for slopes, kerbs and turns.
Can you use a rollator on stairs?
No. MS Ireland states a rollator should never be used on stairs.
How high should the handles be?
Level with the wrist when you stand with your arms by your sides, in normal shoes.
Sources
- MS Ireland (MoveSmart), “How to use a Rollator safely,” presentation PDF: https://www.ms-society.ie/sites/default/files/2023-07/Resource%20-%20Safety%20Use%20of%20Rollators%20Presentation.pdf, checked 2026-10-29.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, “How to use a rollator,” patient education video: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/video/how-to-use-rollator, checked 2026-10-29.
- Mundt et al. (2019), European Review of Aging and Physical Activity 16(1), as summarised in the MS Ireland presentation: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-019-0222-5.
