Senior Aid & Mobility
How to choose senior aid and mobility products safely
Mobility equipment is the one category where the cheapest option can cause an injury. Fit and weight capacity come first; price comparison comes after you've fixed the specification.
What to look for
Set weight capacity and user height first
Standard rollators support ~300 lb; bariatric models 400–500 lb. Handle height should sit at the user's wrist crease when standing upright with arms relaxed.
Measure seat height and doorway width
Rollator seat height must let the user sit with feet flat. Measure your narrowest doorway — many 4-wheel rollators need 23–26 inches.
Check HSA/FSA and Medicare paths
Many items are HSA/FSA eligible, which is an effective discount of 20–30%. Medicare Part B may cover walkers, wheelchairs and hospital beds with a prescription — but generally not lift chairs beyond the lift mechanism, and not grab bars.
Confirm install requirements before buying
Grab bars must anchor into studs or use approved heavy-duty anchors, and should hold 250+ lb. Suction bars are not fall protection. Lift chairs and beds often need two-person delivery and assembly.
Ask about returns on used medical goods
Hygiene-sensitive items (commodes, bath seats, cushions) are frequently non-returnable once opened. Check restocking fees on chairs and scooters, which can be 15–25%.
Traps that inflate the total
- Transport chairs sold as wheelchairs — they can't be self-propelled.
- Lift chair listings that quote the fabric-only base model.
- Freight delivery to curbside when the user can't move the box.
- Non-certified electricals; look for UL/ETL marks on powered items.
What you should expect to pay
Typical ranges: 4-wheel rollator $80–$200, transport chair $130–$250, power lift recliner $500–$1,100, stainless grab bar $20–$45, shower chair with back $45–$110, adjustable bed base $600–$1,400.
Now compare the actual prices
Every offer is ranked by landed cost — price plus shipping — so the cheapest badge is honest.
Open the Senior Aid & Mobility comparison