Rollator -- rent or bring?

My husband will be using a rollator on next cruise. He will have wheelchair escort in airports so I'd have to put his CPAP and my carry on on the rollator seat and push it. (He has backpack carry on that will be on his lap on wheelchair). There are no direct flights so I'd have rollator hassle for connecting flight as well.

I'm thinking of just renting one from SpecialNeedsatSea so it would be waiting for us in cabin. However there is then the security line at cruise terminal. He cannot stand for more than a few minutes but no escort wheelchairs are provided until past security. A rollator would be a help.

I thought maybe have SpecialNeeds leave it at hotel instead. But Hubby doesn't like that idea because he's afraid he then wouldn't get wheelchair escort for boarding ship and that's usually too long of a walk, even with seat on rollator (and I'd have CPAP and both his/my carry on if he was using the rollator).

Suggestions?? Comments?

My husband will be using a rollator on next cruise.

When I get to the airport, I check my rollator with my baggage.

The airline or airport has wheelchair service to get you to your gate and assist you to your seat - make sure you have made arrangements to get seating near the front! Make sure you have made arrangements for wheelchair service at your arrival city/cities.

When you get to your arrival city (or cities) you will be wheeled to baggage claim and the porters will usually wheel you to your taxi/bus or whatever you have arranged for transportation.

If you are cruising, I assume you have notified the cruiseship that you require wheelchair assistance and the ship will wheel you from the terminal reception to your cabin on shipboard. Your baggage and rollator should be waiting for you. If cabin is not ready- and they will let you know at the terminal, make sure you pick up your rollator at the terminal and carry it on your lap when you are wheeled from there to the ship. In that way, you will have the rollator to use when waiting around for your cabin to be ready or go to grab a bite while waiting etc.

My husband will be using a rollator on next cruise. He will have wheelchair escort in airports so I'd have to put his CPAP and my carry on on the rollator seat and push it. (He has backpack carry on that will be on his lap on wheelchair). There are no direct flights so I'd have rollator hassle for connecting flight as well.

 

I'm thinking of just renting one from SpecialNeedsatSea so it would be waiting for us in cabin. However there is then the security line at cruise terminal. He cannot stand for more than a few minutes but no escort wheelchairs are provided until past security. A rollator would be a help.

 

I thought maybe have SpecialNeeds leave it at hotel instead. But Hubby doesn't like that idea because he's afraid he then wouldn't get wheelchair escort for boarding ship and that's usually too long of a walk, even with seat on rollator (and I'd have CPAP and both his/my carry on if he was using the rollator).

 

 

Suggestions?? Comments?

Personally I never check mine as baggage with the airlines. Rather I gate check it as it's less lightly to get damaged. Whether at the airport or the cruise terminal you will still get wheelchair assistance if you request it despite having the rollator.

Suggest not renting as you're not certain of the type/model you'll receive and it will not have been properly fitted for your husband. Specialneedsatsea will just size based on height which is incorrect. To size it correctly this needs to be done

When I get to the airport, I check my rollator with my baggage.

The airline or airport has wheelchair service to get you to your gate and assist you to your seat - make sure you have made arrangements to get seating near the front! Make sure you have made arrangements for wheelchair service at your arrival city/cities.

 

 

When you get to your arrival city (or cities) you will be wheeled to baggage claim and the porters will usually wheel you to your taxi/bus or whatever you have arranged for transportation.

 

If you are cruising, I assume you have notified the cruiseship that you require wheelchair assistance and the ship will wheel you from the terminal reception to your cabin on shipboard. Your baggage and rollator should be waiting for you. If cabin is not ready- and they will let you know at the terminal, make sure you pick up your rollator at the terminal and carry it on your lap when you are wheeled from there to the ship. In that way, you will have the rollator to use when waiting around for your cabin to be ready or go to grab a bite while waiting etc.

Checking it as baggage would eliminate one problem but I would be concerned about possible damage.

I didn't know the rollator could be held by person in the wheelchair.

We do know how to notify airlines and cruise lines to request wheelchair escort. We have used that service many times. We fly Southwest so getting a seat near front is no problem since wheelchair passengers are boarded first.

Personally I never check mine as baggage with the airlines. Rather I gate check it as it's less lightly to get damaged. Whether at the airport or the cruise terminal you will still get wheelchair assistance if you request it despite having the rollator.

 

Suggest not renting as you're not certain of the type/model you'll receive and it will not have been properly fitted for your husband. Specialneedsatsea will just size based on height which is incorrect. To size it correctly this needs to be done

Wanting to gate check it is part of problem since we always have a connecting flight so that's getting it to another boarding area. If we do bring it I guess I'll just put CPAP and my carry on on the seat and push it.

Hubby's current rollator was never sized for him. Neighbor gave it to him after neighbor's spouse died so no longer needed it. Hubby changed height on it.

Good to know that at ship he can get wheelchair assistance even if he has a rollator.

We just did this. My husband has a rollator and he used it until we got to the ship port where a wheelchair was waiting for him to get him onto the ship. At that point I pushed the rollator and he was pushed by the ship person. If you are considering renting, you might consider a transport chair. If ever he can't push the rollator you might be able to push him. You won't have this option if it's a rollator. Also, we had a connecting flight and had the rollator checked at the door to the plane. It's pretty easy to check it that way. He had wheelchair assistance everywhere in the airport. Actually we're on the Oosterdam as I type this and we rented an electric scooter. He is loving it. His rollator is sitting in our room.

I also use a wheelchair and while waiting to board, I have seen some on wheelchair with their rollator handled by their companion. I guess they find it not practical to rent one for onboard use.

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We just did this. My husband has a rollator and he used it until we got to the ship port where a wheelchair was waiting for him to get him onto the ship. At that point I pushed the rollator and he was pushed by the ship person. If you are considering renting, you might consider a transport chair. If ever he can't push the rollator you might be able to push him. You won't have this option if it's a rollator. Also, we had a connecting flight and had the rollator checked at the door to the plane. It's pretty easy to check it that way. He had wheelchair assistance everywhere in the airport. Actually we're on the Oosterdam as I type this and we rented an electric scooter. He is loving it. His rollator is sitting in our room.

My concern with our bringing his and gate checking it on plane is the distance in the airport terminal from one boarding gate to the next for connecting flight. I'd have to put his CPAP and my carry on on the seat of the rollator and push it while he holds his backpack and is pushed by wheelchair escort. How did you get rollator and carry ons to each flight? And we also have his CPAP case.

No reason for transport chair since once aboard ship he can push rollator. He has no trouble with that.

I also use a wheelchair and while waiting to board, I have seen some on wheelchair with their rollator handled by their companion. I guess they find it not practical to rent one for onboard use.

 

 

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I'm thinking more and more of renting one since I don't really want to cope with pushing the rollator while walking to each of two boarding areas. It's for his 6'2" height, not for mine. But I also don't want to check it as luggage since too easily damaged.

I'm thinking more and more of renting one since I don't really want to cope with pushing the rollator while walking to each of two boarding areas. It's for his 6'2" height, not for mine. But I also don't want to check it as luggage since too easily damaged.

Travel by myself. I transfer to the wheelchair being pushed by an attendant , fold the rollator and hold it . Assume your husband can do the same t which means you won't have to push it to the two boarding areas. Been traveling this way for 12 years ... very easy to do.

My concern with our bringing his and gate checking it on plane is the distance in the airport terminal from one boarding gate to the next for connecting flight. I'd have to put his CPAP and my carry on on the seat of the rollator and push it while he holds his backpack and is pushed by wheelchair escort. How did you get rollator and carry ons to each flight? And we also have his CPAP case.

 

No reason for transport chair since once aboard ship he can push rollator. He has no trouble with that.

On connecting flights my husband is pushed in a wheelchair by airport personnel and I push his rollator with our carry ons on the rollator seat. We started checking our carry on suitcase so we only have a couple of bags and a cane. (Lots of people will pull their carry on suitcase however). It's easy for us and we have done this numerous times.

Travel by myself. I transfer to the wheelchair being pushed by an attendant , fold the rollator and hold it . Assume your husband can do the same t which means you won't have to push it to the two boarding areas. Been traveling this way for 12 years ... very easy to do.

The only problem with that is he is already holding his backpack carry on on his lap.

On connecting flights my husband is pushed in a wheelchair by airport personnel and I push his rollator with our carry ons on the rollator seat. We started checking our carry on suitcase so we only have a couple of bags and a cane. (Lots of people will pull their carry on suitcase however). It's easy for us and we have done this numerous times.

That is probably what I am going to do. Push the rollator with his CPAP and my carry on bag on the seat.

We have to each have a carry on. His has pills for 18 day cruise and hotel stays as well as change of clothes and camera. Mine has iPad, camera, change of clothes, chargers for iPad and cameras, and the 3-1-1 liquids bag.

The problem is now solved. My concern had been based on the rollator he had -- an older one that a neighbor gave him. It required two hands to fold it, had smaller wheels so very slow to push.

Well, yesterday the V.A. finally gave him the rollator we requested awhile ago. (He is 80% disabled veteran so gets his medical care/equipment from VA). The OT tech adjusted it to hubby so it's correct. What a difference that one is. Collapses with one hand, larger wheels make it much easier to push. I shouldn't have any problems pushing it in airport with my carry on and his CPAP on the seat while he holds his backpack on his lap while airport wheelchair escort pushes him.

Thank you all for your input.

The problem is now solved. My concern had been based on the rollator he had -- an older one that a neighbor gave him. It required two hands to fold it, had smaller wheels so very slow to push.

 

Well, yesterday the V.A. finally gave him the rollator we requested awhile ago. (He is 80% disabled veteran so gets his medical care/equipment from VA). The OT tech adjusted it to hubby so it's correct. What a difference that one is. Collapses with one hand, larger wheels make it much easier to push. I shouldn't have any problems pushing it in airport with my carry on and his CPAP on the seat while he holds his backpack on his lap while airport wheelchair escort pushes him.

 

Thank you all for your input.

For the future reference as well as the benefits of other that are thinking about getting used mobility equipment it's important to take the following into consideration for your personal safety:

All mobility equipment is rate for weight capacity including canes. All that info is generally removed once someone begins using it. As result you may not be getting equipment that can properly support you.

• All rollators, walkers, cane, wheelchairs, scooter etc. are NOT equal . If you haven't been properly accessed by a Physical therapist you may be getting equipment that is totally unsuitable to your needs . Thus doing more harm than good for you.
  
• All rollators, walkers, cane, wheelchairs, scooters etc. are rated for weight capacity. By the time someone offers you theirs that information most likely has been removed. You also shouldn't assume if the person is approximately the same weight and height as you that the equipment will work.
  
• All rollators, walkers canes, wheelchair as well as scooters must be properly fitted to avoid doing any further harm to you body. What happens is people more often than not just go and borrow mobility equipment or purchase something themselves without having been properly accessed and fitted by a Physical Therapist. By not doing so you mostly likely are causing undue stress to your body that will than require medical and or PT attention.
  

Bottom line prior to obtaining any mobility equipment you should always be properly accused by a Physical Therapist. If that equipment is to be use inside your home for ADL ( activities of daily living) you also need to be accessed by an Occupational Therapist.