How do you keep a rollator walker (4 wheels), from sliding across ceramic tile & hardwood floors?

Might want to switch to a standard walker. Wheels in back posts in front. My mom had several falls with her rollator. I wished I had changed it sooner. She couldn’t set the brakes and it would roll away. Elders have to have decent cognitive abilities to use rollators.

I agree, switch to a standard walker for in the house. Save the rollator for when he's outside on more uneven, rougher ground. Especially since he's fallen a few time, and it doesn't seem like rugs holding up a walker are an issue in your home.

You can also switch the wheels on a standard walker from "outside" the legs to "inside" the legs, and it will make it much easier to get through doors (unless you already have wider doors to the bedrooms/bathroom, etc).

Make me the third to recommend a standard walker. I could never figure out why anyone would use an "old fashioned" 2 wheel walker (or one with no wheels) until my mom needed one, now I know that beyond being easier to control they are smaller, lighter, easier to fold up and bring with you, and they fit into smaller spaces and around furniture much more easily.

Standard walker with tennis ball feet is what my dad used for outpatient PT.

Not everyone should use a rollator. I agree back to a regular one with the tennis balls.

He may do better with an old fashioned walker. Physical therapists will say that fewer accidents occur with the regular walkers but accidents can happen with any walker.

If you are resistant to the idea of the basic walker there are reverse brake rollators where the wheels are locked unless you squeeze the handle (rather than the opposite as is usual). Try googling
U Step 2 Walking Stabilizer with Reverse Braking System

Use the walker without wheels. The same thing happened to my Mom. It's much more stable!

For one thing he isn’t using it correctly. A doctor can order a PT evaluation for him to see how he uses it and teach him correctly. If he has the ability to remember how is another issue altogether. Often they forget to set the brakes too once they sit down. My dad did this when he went to sit on the toilet. When he got up, the rollator rolled away and he fell. They do like to use them to sit on and put things on to go from room to room. Get a basket for a standard walker in the meantime. If he doesn’t already have one, the doctor can prescribe it so Medicare pays for it. They will pay for one every 5 years.

I use a rollatar and I had to learn how to go down a ramp.now no longer need to use the brakes Always lock the brakés when he sits down so upon arising uthe walker won't slip. On getting up. Next thing is to unlock the brakes but hold the brake down partially not fully locked this puts tension but not a full stop. Or you can change the shells to sliders...

Have patience my friends!
I understand your frustrations because I am now an oldie with a walker!
So often, our children who have grown up with us as their parents, "being the boss and know-it-alls", have a very difficult time understanding that we seniors now need as much help as a young child.
Don't assume we will know after being told once...show us, test us, make us demonstrate that we know how, that we understand what you told us. Don't mince words...use the Nike moto - JUST DO IT! (in a loud voice preferably).
After months of using a "roller walker", I have often forgotten to put on the brakes, something we should do every time we stop...that includes in the grocery store!
Every time my son accompanies me on an outing, he quietly says "Put on the brakes"....and I mean Every Time! It took several repetitions before it sunk in!
It is so important that each of you stop thinking that you are being disrespectful or condescending...JUST DO IT also applies to you.

There are other types of walkers too. A UStep-2 keeps the brakes on u less you depress them to make it roll. It has 7 small wheels on it and is more stable. It’s designed for people with Parkinson’s, but can be used for anyone. Check it out online- they show a video of it. Dad’s Dr. sent the insurance company a Rx for it and we got a very healthy discount. This kept Dad from rolling away; however, once Alz. got bad he’d simply let it sit & try to walk away. Thought he didn’t need it. Then a wheelchair became necessary.

A regular walker with only two wheels would be safer.

What kind of footwear does he have? I bought my father Sketcher's brand shoes with thick rubber soles. They provide him with good traction and prevent falls. He uses a rollator and loves the ability to walk safely. Previous to living with me, he had many serious falls, one resulted in an amputated toe.

Mom was transitioning from regular walker back to a rollator walker, but she hunches over so much that her old Walgreens rollator wouldn't work and there's no way to control it. So we got her an Elenker Upright, Standing folding rollator walker with 10" front wheels, padded arm rests, seat and back rest. It's all terrain also. The only drawback is the seat is not adjustable and too high for my Mom's liking (she's 5'1").
Anyway, huge difference and much better control and posture when walking.

He needs a walker with no wheels or just 2 wheels and on the legs of them put tennis balls to make the walker slide across the tile easier but won't get away from. Him like the wheels

I would suggest getting an walking aid that's a little less spiffy. Try a two-wheel walker.

any chance of installing carpet over the ceramic?
even if it's not wall-to-wall, get a quality area rug that covers most of the floor and put a non-slip rubberized gripper-pad underneath.

I think if you ask pretty much any physical therapist, they don't like the rollator walkers for that very reason. Go back to the old fashioned walker with tennis balls or skis on the legs.

Hello,

I wasn’t able to read through all the comments but ours has a brake on the handle. Does yours have this? If not are you able to provide one and is your loved one able to use a brake? I was surprised that my parents could. It’s like a brake you have to press with, with you’re hand.Reminds me if a bike brake. I am not sure of your loved ones condition, but it’s an option. You can always call your families doctor for advice.
I hope you get the answer your looking for.
Take care!

Bridget010409: Imho, your FIL would do far better with a device OTHER than a transport walker. If he insists on using the rollator, he should get one with a brake. Most of them should come equipped with a brake for safety reasons.