Aid for Mobility: Differentiating Between Walkers and Canes Based on Need
Strutting around the joint with confidence, canes and walkers offer much-needed assistance to older adults and those living with disabilities who might struggle with balance and mobility. Whether it's a cane or a walker, your choice depends on the level of support you require, your lifestyle, and, of course, your wallet.
As we grow older, our bodies can develop various conditions that make moving around a challenge. Unfortunately, falls are all too common among the elderly, particularly in older age, when they can lead to serious injuries to muscles and bones [CDC]. Fortunately, assistive devices like canes and walkers can help maintain independence and lower the risk of falls.
Minding your steps, here's a breakdown of canes and walkers, how and when to use them, and the best options for your needs:
Supporting Your Steps: Canes vs. Walkers
Cane: The Classic Assistance
- Pros: Aids balance, adjustable, cost-effective
- Cons: Suitable for minimal weight bearing only, some may find certain handles difficult to grasp
- Recommended for: Mild balance issues, mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs, limited mobility, and a modest budget.
- Typical Cost: $10-$40
-helps with balance-adjustable
Three- and Four-Legged Cane: The Sturdy Sidekick
-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
- Pros: Offers increased help with balance, can bear more weight, adjustable
- Cons: Heavier, more cumbersome, tricky with stairs
- Recommended for: One-sided muscle weakness or more significant balance issues (e.g., hemiparesis)
- Typical Cost: $15-$40
-mild balance issues-mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs
Standard Walker: The Solid Foundation
$10-$40
- Pros: Stable, foldable
- Cons: Needs lifting with each step
- Recommended for: Conditions affecting the function of muscles or nerves, fractures
- Typical Cost: $20-$60
Two- and Four-Wheeled Walker: The Mover and Shaker
-offers greater help with balance than a standard cane-can bear more weight-adjustable
- Pros: Easier to move, may have a seat and basket for comfort
- Cons: Less stable, not foldable, requires more cognitive effort to handle
- Recommended for: Issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions slowing down mobility (e.g., heart or lung diseases)
- Typical Cost: $35-$100
-heavier-more cumbersome-may be harder to use on stairs
Which Medical Conditions Need a Cane or a Walker?
-one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance
Both canes and walkers add stability during mobility. A cane can aid people with minor balance or stability issues, weak legs, or injuries or pain from conditions like arthritis. Meanwhile, a person who has had total knee or hip replacement surgery or those with more significant balance and mobility issues may prefer a walker.
$15-$40
Types of Canes and Walkers
Standard canes, typically made of wood or aluminum with a rubber tip and a hook-shaped or flat handle, best suit those with minimal assistance needs. Canes with three or four legs are more stable and can accommodate people who experience pain on one side. Lastly, multi-legged canes, known as "sit-to-stand" canes also help with getting up or sitting down.
-stable-foldable
Walkers come in three varieties: the standard walker, the two-wheeled walker, and the four-wheeled walker (rollator). Each catering to different needs, the standard walker has rubber-tipped legs for more stability but requires lifting with each step. The two-wheeled walker is easier to maneuver but less stable, while the four-wheeled walker allows a more natural gait and can have features such as brakes, a seat, and a basket.
-no wheels-needs lifting with each step
Is a Walker Better than a Cane or Vice Versa?
-for conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures
Effective cane use requires an individual to have sufficient strength and balance to maintain consistency and security with its assistance. While a cane can help with minor balance problems, users must be able tosteady themselves if they begin to slip and can coordinate the cane with their arm while walking.
$20-$60
Walkers, in contrast, are more suitable for individuals with more significant balance impairments, as they enable users to shift some or all of their body weight away from their lower body while moving. Users place their arms on the walker to help support their body weight, and as their strength and endurance increase, they gradually place more weight on their legs.
When to Switch from a Walker to a Cane or Vice Versa?
-easier to move-may have a seat and basket for comfort
Choosing between a walker and a cane involves several factors. Consider if your or your loved one's balance and mobility have improved or worsened, their strength and endurance, the doctor's recommendations, and whether your daily routine is better suited to a walker or a cane.
-less stable than standard-not foldable
Procuring Your Mobility Aid
-issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases
You may be able to purchase a cane or walker directly from a supplier or obtain them from clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, or non-profit organizations specializing in older adults or people with disabilities.
$35-$100
Cost Comparison: Canes vs. Walkers
According to American Family Physician, canes generally cost between $10 and $40, while walkers can range from $20 to $100.
DME and Medicare
Medicare considers both canes and walkers as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). You can rent or buy a cane or walker through Medicare Part B if required for home use and if prescribed by a doctor accepting Medicare.
Using Your Mobility Aid Safely
Regardless of your choice between a cane or a walker, safety first! Make sure the handle is at wrist level with relaxed arms, maintain slightly bent arms while using it, and keep an upright posture without leaning forward. Specific safety tips for canes and walkers are provided in the "Takeaway" section.
Conclusion
As we grow older, chronic conditions may make moving around more difficult. Yet, don't let that stand in the way of staying active and maintaining your independence. With the wide variety of assistive devices available, there's a perfect solution for everyone—whether it's a cane or a walker! Make your choice based on your individual needs and the advice of healthcare professionals.
- As we age, our bodies may develop medical conditions such as arthritis, which can impact balance and mobility, leading to falls [medical-conditions, aging].
- Fortunately, there are assistive devices like canes and walkers that can help maintain independence and lower the risk of falls among older adults [seniorhealth, health-and-wellness].
- When considering a cane or a walker, factors such as level of support required, lifestyle, cost, and specific medical conditions should be taken into account [uncatogarized, cbd].
- For example, a person with minor balance issues or mild arthritis in the lower limbs may benefit from a cane, while someone with more significant balance and mobility issues might require a walker [seniorhealth, otherseniorhealth].
- It's also crucial to consider the type of cane or walker, such as a three- or four-legged cane, a standard walker, or a four-wheeled rollator, each catering to different needs [fitness-and-exercise, therapies-and-treatments, nutrition].
- Ensuring safety while using a cane or walker is paramount, with tips including keeping the handle at wrist level, maintaining slightly bent arms during use, and adopting an upright posture [fitness-and-wellness, safety].
