Assistive Aides: Identifying the Right Time for Walkers and Canes
A Guide to Mobility Aids: Walkers vs. Canes
Navigating life becomes tougher as we age or face mobility issues. Thankfully, assistive devices are here to help us maintain our independence and ensure safety. In this article, we discuss the difference between walkers and canes, their usage, and which one suits you best.
Older adults often grapple with balance issues, and falls can lead to severe injuries. But, with the right support, we can conquer tricky terrains and avoid unwanted accidents.
Here, we take a closer look at two common mobility aids – walkers and canes – and how they can help you live a more independent life.
| Device | Pros | Cons | Conditions | Cost || --- | --- | --- |--- | --- || 1-legged cane | -Easy to use
-Adjustable height | -Minimal weight bearing only
-Some may find the handle difficult to grasp | -Mild balance issues
-Mild arthritis | $10-$40 || 3-4 legged cane | -Great balance support
-Bear more weight | -Heavier
-More cumbersome | -One-sided muscle weakness
-More significant balance issues | $15-$40 || Standard walker | -Stable
-Foldable for easy storage | -No wheels
-Requires lifting with each step | -Conditions affecting muscles or nerves
-Fractures | $20-$60 || 2-4 wheeled walker (Rollator) | -Easy to move
-May have a seat and basket for comfort | -Less stable than a standard walker
-Not foldable | -Issues affecting the spinal cord
-Conditions slowing mobility like heart or lung diseases | $35-$100 |
Cane or Walker – Which Do I Need?
-helps with balance-adjustable
A cane provides support for people experiencing minor balance problems, leg or trunk weakness, or recovering from arthritis or other similar conditions. Typically, you hold the cane with one hand, and its stability depends on the number of legs it has and the base's width.
-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
However, for people with more significant balance and mobility issues, a walker might be a better choice. Walkers have a broader base, allowing for easier movement and support.
-mild balance issues-mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs
To use a walker effectively, hold it with both hands. Based on your needs, you can add wrist support, wheels, or brakes to make it more comfortable.
$10-$40
Types of Canes and Walkers
Standard canes are everyday items, usually made of wood or aluminum, with a rubber tip and either a hook-shaped or flat handle. They offer minimal assistance but aren't suitable for those needing greater support.
-offers greater help with balance than a standard cane-can bear more weight-adjustable
In contrast, canes with three or four legs can stand independently, giving older people or those with mobility issues more stability. "Sit-to-stand" canes, known for their secondary grips, assist with getting up or sitting down.
-heavier-more cumbersome-may be harder to use on stairs
Walkers come in three main types:
-one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance
- The standard walker has four rubber-tipped legs, allowing for better stability but requiring lifting on each step.
- The two-wheeled or rolling walker is easier to move around and has front wheels and backsliders, making it simpler to maneuver. However, it's less stable and requires more cognitive effort.
- The four-wheeled walker, also called a rollator, rolls more fluidly with wheels. It boasts features like brakes, a seat, and a basket for added convenience, but it requires more coordination and can be heavier to move.
$15-$40
Canes vs. Walkers: When Should I Use One Over the Other?
Efficient use of a cane or walker relies on a person's strength, balance, and coordination. Canes are best for people who can walk with them consistently while maintaining balance, while walkers are more suitable for those who have more significant balance impairments and require more support.
-stable-foldable
Should I Switch from a Walker to a Cane?
-no wheels-needs lifting with each step
To decide whether to switch from a walker to a cane or vice versa, ask yourself these questions:
-for conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures
- Has my or my loved one's balance improved or worsened?
- Has my or my loved one's endurance and strength improved or worsened?
- What does the doctor recommend?
- Is my or my loved one's daily routine more appropriate for a walker or a cane?
$20-$60
Where to Get a Canes or Walkers?
You can purchase mobility aids directly from a supplier or from a clinic or hospital, through insurance, or from non-profit organizations dedicated to older adults and people with disabilities.
-easier to move-may have a seat and basket for comfort
Cost: How Much Does a Cane vs. Walker Cost?
-less stable than standard-not foldable
Canes typically cost between $10 and $40, while walkers can range from $20 to $100.
-issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases
DME and Medicare
$35-$100
Medicare views canes and walkers as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). You can rent or buy them through Medicare Part B if they're medically necessary for home use. Your doctor accepting Medicare must prescribe the device, and you must purchase it from a Medicare-approved supplier.
Safety First
Whichever device you choose, ensure it's used safely. Keep the handle at wrist level, maintain relaxed arms, and use a slightly bent posture while using it.
Cane Safety
When standing, hold the cane with the opposite hand to the injured or painful side. While walking, place the cane ahead, step forward with the painful or injured leg, and follow with the other leg.
Walker Safety
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. Sit down slowly when approaching a chair, and stand up pushing up with your arms and grasping the walker's handgrips. Do not use the walker to help stand up, as it may give way. It is generally advisable not to use a walker on stairs or escalators.
Wrapping Up
Elderly folks and individuals with disabilities can benefit greatly from assistive devices like canes and walkers. By understanding your requirements, assessing your condition, and working with a healthcare provider, you can make informed decisions about the devices that best support your mobility needs.
Sources:
- Buffalo, N. Y., The MSK Graduate Center for Biomedical Imaging and Informatics, "Middle aged and older adults with comorbid chronic conditions have persistent multimorbidity," 2014.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, "When is a cane helpful after knee surgery?" 2020.
- National Institutes of Health, "Osteoarthritis," 2020.
- American Family Physician, "Improving balance in older adults with cognitive impairment," 2013.
- National Institute on Aging, "Healthy Aging," 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Facts about falls," 2021.
- American Physical Therapy Association, "Mobility aids," n.d.
- Mayo Clinic, "Canes," 2020.
- MedlinePlus, "Wheeled walkers," 2021.
Enrichment Data:
A walker is more suitable for individuals who require more substantial support due to:- Significant Balance Issues: Conditions like MS, Parkinson's disease, or severe arthritis can lead to considerable balance problems, making walkers more suitable as they provide additional stability and support.- Bilateral Weakness: Conditions affecting both legs, such as severe arthritis or muscle weakness, may necessitate the use of a walker to support a larger portion of the user's weight.- Post-Surgical Recovery: After surgeries affecting the legs, hips, or back, walkers can provide the necessary support to ensure safe mobility during recovery.
A cane is often used for people experiencing mild to moderate balance problems or recovering from conditions like an ankle fracture. It offers limited support compared to a walker and is best suited for conditions not requiring extensive help.
A quad cane, featuring a wider base, is ideal for individuals who need extra stability due to significant balance impairments or weakness on one or both sides without requiring a walker.
Ultimately, the choice between a walker and a cane depends on the individual's specific needs, the level of support required, and the type of mobility challenge they face.
- Older adults and those with mobility issues can benefit greatly from using a mobility aid, such as a cane or walker, to maintain their independence and ensure safety.
- Canes, like the 1-legged cane, are suitable for those experiencing minor balance problems, leg or trunk weakness, or recovering from conditions like arthritis. They provide support and adjustable height but only bear minimal weight.
- For individuals with more significant balance and mobility issues, a walker might be a better choice. Walkers are stable, foldable for easy storage, and can distribute weight more evenly, making them suitable for those with conditions affecting muscles or nerves or for fractures.
- Walkers come in various types, such as the standard walker, 2-4 wheeled walker (rollator), and others. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the user's specific needs and level of coordination.
- When deciding between a cane and a walker, consider factors such as balance and mobility improvements, endurance, strength, doctor's recommendations, and daily routine.
- Senior health, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition play essential roles in managing mobility, chronic diseases, and health-and-wellness concerns among the elderly population. Additionally, research and advancements in science can help develop more effective mobility aids, such as those infused with CBD products, to improve the lives of older adults.
