When to Opt for Walkers or Canes for Mobility Assistance
Staying Mobile with Canes and Walkers: Your Ultimate Guide
Getting around with age or a disability just got a whole lot easier! With canes and walkers providing extra support, let's dive into the differences and find the best fit for you.
As we age, certain physical conditions might make mobility more of a challenge. Falls are common, especially among older adults, and these can lead to severe injuries. But don't fret, because assistive mobility devices can help you maintain independence and lower fall risks. Here's what sets canes and walkers apart.
Canes vs. Walkers: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Device | Pros | Cons | Conditions | Cost ||--------|-------|------|------------|------|| Cane | -Promotes balance
-Adjustable
-Lightweight
-(Some) with curved handles may be difficult to grasp| -For minimal weight-bearing only
-May be hard to maneuver on stairs| -Mild balance issues
-Mild to moderate arthritis in the lower limbs| $10-$40 || Tall Cane | -Greater balance support
-Can bear more weight
-Adjustable| -Heavier
-More cumbersome
-Harder to use on stairs| -One-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or major balance issues| $15-$40 || Standard Walker | -High stability
-Foldable| -Needs lifting with each step | -Conditions affecting the function of muscles or nerves
-Broken bones| $20-$60 || Wheeled Walker | -Easy to move
-May have a seat and basket for comfort | -Less stable
-Not foldable | -Conditions impacting spinal cord and slowing mobility like heart or lung diseases| $35-$100 |
Choosing the Right Walking Companion
-helps with balance-adjustable
1-legged canes can help those with minor balance issues or mild arthritis in their lower limbs; tall canes provide more balance stability for those with weakness in their legs or trunk. For more significant balance and mobility issues, opt for a walker - a three- or four-legged device that requires both hands. To customize your assistive device, consider accessories like ice grippers, arm or wrist supports, and wheels or brakes.
-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 or Canes: What condition demands which?
-mild balance issues-mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs
Canes provide needed support to those with minimal balance or stability issues, while walkers show preference for older adults with one-sided muscle weakness or more severe balance disorders.
$10-$40
Picking the Walkers or Canes that Suit You Best
Standard canes are typically wood or aluminum with a rubber tip and a handle. While they're versatile, they're not ideal for those needing greater support. Opt for a multi-legged cane or a tall cane with a larger and wider base for more stability. Cane types include 1-legged, tall canes, and 3- or 4-legged canes (including sit-to-stand canes).
-offers greater help with balance than a standard cane-can bear more weight-adjustable
Arizona Center on Aging has identified three types of walkers: standard walkers, two-wheeled walkers, and four-wheeled walkers (rollator walkers). Each caters to various needs depending on endurance, strength, environment, and medical advice.
-heavier-more cumbersome-may be harder to use on stairs
To Cane or To Walker: That's the Question
-one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance
Effective use of a cane requires a person to have adequate strength to maintain balance and securely walk with it. Walkers, on the other hand, provide greater overall stability and support for more significant balance impairments. When using a walker, one can distribute some or all body weight as needed.
$15-$40
When to Switch: Canes to Walkers
The decision to switch from a cane to a walker or vice versa is complex. Take your loved one's or your own situation into account by considering improvements or declines in balance, strength, and endurance, the doctor's recommendation, and your daily routines.
-stable-foldable
Getting Your Hands on a Walker or Cane
-no wheels-needs lifting with each step
You can purchase these devices directly from suppliers or through clinics, hospitals, insurances, and non-profit organizations for seniors or people with disabilities.
-for conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures
A Financial Breakdown: Canes vs. Walkers
$20-$60
Generally, canes cost between $10 and $40, while walkers range from $20 to $100.
Insurance Coverage: Canes and Walkers
-easier to move-may have a seat and basket for comfort
Medicare views walkers and canes as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). You can either rent or buy a cane or walker through Medicare Part B if it's medically necessary and used at home, under the doctor's prescription, and purchased from a Medicare-approved supplier.
-less stable than standard-not foldable
Cane and Walker Safety Tips
-issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases
- Handle should be at wrist level, with relaxed arms
- Use good posture, keeping arms slightly bent
$35-$100
Cane Safety
- Hold the cane with the opposite hand from the injured or painful side
- Ahead, step with the painful or injured leg, then the other leg
- When climbing stairs, use the stronger leg first and hold the handrail
- On stairs, go down by placing the cane first, the weaker leg, and then the stronger leg
Walker Safety
- Place the walker one step ahead, moving the injured or painful leg to the middle, and then bringing the stronger leg to meet it, taking small, slow steps
- To sit, back up to the chair, feel for the seat, and lower yourself slowly down
- To stand, push up with arms and grasp the walker's handgrips - never use the walker to help stand up, as it may give way. It's typically not advisable to use a walker on stairs or escalators.
Conclusion
With age, various chronic conditions can make mobility tougher. Each year, 1 in 4 older adults experiences a fall, often resulting in significant injuries. But don't worry, because assistive devices like canes and walkers can help you maintain your independence while lowering fall risks. Find the perfect mobile solution by considering factors like balance, strength, and lifestyle.
- As we age, certain medical-conditions like arthritis or balance issues might necessitate the use of assistive mobility devices to ensure health-and-wellness.
- For mild balance issues and arthritis in the lower limbs, canes can offer needed support, promoting balance and providing adjustable heights.
- However, for individuals with one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more severe balance disorders, walkers could be a more suitable option, offering greater overall stability and support.
- Choosing the right walking companion, one can consider accessories like ice grippers, arm or wrist supports, and wheels or brakes to customize devices such as canes or walkers.
- In some cases, three- or four-legged canes might offer greater help with balance, providing more stability than standard canes for people with significant balance and mobility issues.
- Wheeled walkers can be a good choice for those with less stability, as they are easier to move around and sometimes come with a seat and storage basket for added convenience.
- For people with conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves, or who have fractures, walkers might be the better choice, distributing body weight as needed and providing more support.
- When considering canes or walkers, keep in mind that while canes tend to cost between $10 and $40, walkers range from $20 to $100. Some insurance may cover the cost of these medical devices, considering them Durable Medical Equipment (DME).
