Assistive devices: Timing the use of walkers versus canes
Assistive devices such as canes and walkers can provide crucial support for older adults and individuals with disabilities who experience mobility and balance challenges. The choice between a cane and a walker depends on the individual's level of support needed, lifestyle, and budget.
Chronic conditions can develop in older age that compromise mobility, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that older adults experience falls each year. These falls can result in severe injuries to muscles and bones, particularly in older individuals. Assistive mobility devices can help prevent falls and allow individuals to maintain their independence.
Canes and walkers cater to different levels of mobility, with canes being ideal for individuals who require minimal support and walkers better suited for those with more significant mobility issues. Below is a comparison of the key pros, cons, conditions, and costs associated with each device:
| Device | Pros | Cons | Conditions | Cost || --- | --- | --- | --- | --- || 1-legged cane | Helps with balance; adjustable | For minimal weight bearing only; some cane handles may be difficult to grasp due to their shape | Mild balance issues; mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs | $10-$40 || 3-4 legged cane | Offers greater help with balance than a standard cane; can bear more weight; adjustable | Heavier; more cumbersome; may be harder to use on stairs | One-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance | $15-$40 || Standard walker | Stable; foldable | No wheels; needs lifting with each step | For conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures | $20-$60 || 2-4 wheeled walker | Easier to move; may have a seat and basket for comfort | Less stable than standard; not foldable | Issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases | $35-$100 |
Choosing between a cane and a walker
Canes can benefit individuals with minor balance or stability issues, weakness in their legs or trunk, or those living with an injury or pain from conditions such as arthritis. Canes are typically held with one hand and come in various styles, with single, three, or four legs, providing options for different levels of stability.
-helps with balance-adjustable
For people with more significant balance and mobility issues, a walker could be a better choice. Walkers are three-to four-legged devices that require both hands for use. They offer more comprehensive support than canes, making them suitable for individuals with more profound mobility challenges.
-for minimal weight bearing only-some have a curved handle that some may find difficult to grasp and cause pain, especially for people with joint or muscle conditions
Walkers can be fitted with various accessories, such as wrist or arm supports, to provide additional comfort.
-mild balance issues-mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs
Types of canes and walkers
$10-$40
Canes are usually made of wood or aluminum and feature a rubber tip and a hook-shaped or flat handle. While standard canes may suffice for individuals who require minimal assistance, there are other cane types better suited for those needing more support.
Canes with three or four legs can stand independently, offering greater stability for users who experience pain on one side. "Sit-to-stand" canes also have a secondary grip, which provides extra help for getting up or sitting down.
-offers greater help with balance than a standard cane-can bear more weight-adjustable
There are three types of walkers, each tailored to different needs:
-heavier-more cumbersome-may be harder to use on stairs
- The standard walker, with four rubber-tipped legs, offers more stability but requires the user to lift it with each step.
- The two-wheeled walker features front wheels and backsliders, making it easier to maneuver but less stable.
- The four-wheeled walker, or rollator, allows a person to walk more naturally while featuring brakes, a seat, and a basket for convenience.
-one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance
Each walker type offers unique benefits and drawbacks based on the individual's specific needs and abilities.
$15-$40
Factors to consider when selecting a mobility aid
Choosing the right mobility aid involves several considerations, including:
-stable-foldable
- Assessing the individual's current balance and mobility level
- Evaluating any recent changes or improvements in the individual's balance and strength
- Consulting with a healthcare professional for their recommendations
- Determining whether the individual's daily routine is better suited for a walker or a cane
-no wheels-needs lifting with each step
Purchasing a cane or a walker
-for conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures
Individuals may be able to purchase their preferred mobility aid directly from a supplier or through options like insurance companies or non-profit organizations for older adults or people with disabilities.
$20-$60
Cost of canes and walkers
Canes generally cost between $10 and $40, while walkers range from $20 to $100.
-easier to move-may have a seat and basket for comfort
Medicare coverage for canes and walkers
-less stable than standard-not foldable
Medicare considers walkers and canes as Durable Medical Equipment (DME), and individuals can rent or buy a cane or walker through Medicare Part B if it is medically necessary and needed for home use. However, a doctor accepting Medicare must write the prescription, and the device must be purchased from a Medicare-approved supplier.
-issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases
Using a cane or a walker safely
$35-$100
Regardless of the chosen device, it's crucial to use it safely. For both canes and walkers, the handle should be at wrist level with relaxed arms, and the user should maintain an upright posture without leaning forward.
When using a cane, it should be held opposite the injured or painful side while standing and placed ahead during walking, followed by the painful or injured leg. On stairs, the stronger leg should be used first while holding the handrail, followed by the weaker leg on both up and down staircases.
Walker users should place the walker one step ahead, move the injured or painful leg to the middle, and bring the stronger leg to meet it, taking small, slow steps. To sit down, the individual should back up to the chair, feel for the seat, and lower themselves slowly. To stand, they should push up with their arms and grasp the walker's handgrips, avoiding using the walker to help stand up.
- Senior health and othersenior health should consider the choice between a cane and a walker, taking into account factors such as the individual's mobility needs, budget, and lifestyle.
- Canes can alleviate balance and stability issues in older adults or those with conditions like arthritis, and are available in various styles with single, three, or four legs for differing levels of support.
- Walkers provide more comprehensive support for those with more significant mobility challenges due to their three-to four-legged structure, and they can be fitted with additional accessories, such as wrist or arm supports, for added comfort.
- Purchasing options for canes and walkers include direct suppliers, insurance companies, and non-profit organizations for older adults or people with disabilities. Medicare may cover these devices as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) when medically necessary.
- When using a cane, it should be held opposite the injured or painful side, placed ahead during walking, and used with a relaxed arm at wrist level. On stairs, the stronger leg should be used first while holding the handrail.
- Walker users should place it one step ahead, move the injured or painful leg to the middle, and bring the stronger leg to meet it. Sitting down, they should back up to the chair, feel for the seat, and lower themselves slowly while standing up, they should push up with their arms and grasp the walker's handgrips, avoiding using the walker to help stand up.
- Proper use of canes and walkers is essential for aging individuals to maintain their health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and independence, while also helping with chronic-diseases like arthritis and managing symptoms associated with aging.
- In addition to assistive mobility devices, older adults may also benefit from other therapies-and-treatments, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a home-and-garden free from hazards to prevent falls, incorporating cbd for managing pain or anxiety, or researching new scientific advancements in medical-conditions related to aging.
