Assistive devices for mobility: Determining when to opt for a walker or a cane
Struggling with balance and mobility? Assistive devices like canes and walkers can lend a helping hand to older adults or those living with disabilities. Here's a lowdown on these nifty tools and how to pick the right one for you.
Life's curveballs, such as chronic conditions or aging, can sometimes make moving around a challenge. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are a common issue among seniors, and in older age, they can lead to severe injuries.
But fear not! With the help of assistive mobility devices, you can maintain your independence and strive to prevent falls. Here's a broad comparison of canes vs. walkers, featuring their unique benefits and drawbacks.
| Assistive Device | Pros | Cons | Conditions | Cost || --- | --- | --- | --- | --- || 1-Legged Cane | -Helps with balance
-Adjustable | -For minimal weight bearing only
-Some may find the handle uncomfortable | -Mild balance issues
-Mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs | $10-$40 || 3-4 Legged Cane | -Offers greater help with balance
-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 | -Conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves
-Fractures | $20-$60 || 2-4 Wheeled Walker | -Easier to move
-May have a seat and basket for comfort | -Less stable
-Not foldable | -Issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases | $35-$100 |
About Medical Conditions and Cane or Walker Choice
Both canes and walkers offer stability during mobility. Canes can aid 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.
-helps with balance-adjustable
A person typically holds a cane with one hand, depending on the type - some may have a curved handle, which might cause discomfort for people with joint or muscle conditions. However, those who have had total knee or hip replacement surgery, or have more significant balance and mobility issues, may find a walker more suitable.
-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
Comfort is key with these devices, so feel free to add support for your wrists or arms, and any other accessories that best meet your needs, such as wheels or brakes.
-mild balance issues-mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs
Types of Canes and Walkers
$10-$40
Standard canes are typically made of wood or aluminum with a rubber tip and a hook-shaped or flat handle. Although suitable for those needing minimal assistance, they may not be the best option for those needing greater support.
Canes with three or four legs can stand independently, offering additional stability for users who experience pain on one side. Some multi-legged canes, known as "sit-to-stand" canes, also have a secondary grip, providing extra help when getting up or sitting down.
-offers greater help with balance than a standard cane-can bear more weight-adjustable
According to the Arizona Center on Aging, there are three types of walkers:
-heavier-more cumbersome-may be harder to use on stairs
- The standard walker has four rubber-tipped legs, offering more stability but requiring the user to lift it with each step.
- The two-wheeled walker has front wheels and backsliders, making it easier to maneuver, but it is less stable and requires more cognitive effort to handle.
- The four-wheeled walker (also called a rollator) allows for a more natural gait and features brakes, a seat, and a basket, but it requires more coordination and can be heavier to handle.
-one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance
Each walker type has its benefits and drawbacks depending on the user's specific needs and abilities.
$15-$40
Cane or Walker - Which is Better?
Effective use of a cane requires an individual to have sufficient strength to walk with it consistently and securely while maintaining balance. Although a cane can assist with minor balance problems, it requires a person to be able to steady themselves if they begin to slip.
-stable-foldable
Walkers are more appropriate for those with a more significant balance impairment. Walkers enable users to shift some or all of their body weight away from their lower body while moving. When using a walker, a person can use their arms to help support their body weight. As their strength and endurance improve, they can begin to put more weight on their legs.
-no wheels-needs lifting with each step
Whether a person uses a walker with or without wheels depends on whether they need to use it only at home or outdoors and the terrain they are navigating.
-for conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures
Transitioning from a Walker to a Cane or Vice Versa
$20-$60
Determining when to switch from a walker to a cane or vice versa involves evaluating factors such as balance improvement or deterioration, changes in endurance and strength, the doctor's recommendations, and the user's daily routine.
Where to Get a Cane or a Walker
-easier to move-may have a seat and basket for comfort
A person may be able to purchase their preferred mobility aid directly from a supplier or through a clinic, hospital, or non-profit organization for older adults or people with disabilities.
-less stable than standard-not foldable
Cost of a Cane vs. a Walker
-issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases
According to American Family Physician, canes generally cost between $10 and $40, while walkers can range from $20 to $100.
$35-$100
Medicare and Mobility Aids
Mobility aids like canes and walkers are known as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and can be rented or purchased through Medicare Part B if they are medically necessary and required for home use, provided a doctor accepting Medicare writes the prescription and the device is purchased from a Medicare-approved supplier.
Safety Tips
No matter which mobility device a person chooses, safety should always be a priority. For a cane and a walker, ensure the handle is at wrist level with relaxed arms, keep arms slightly bent while using the device, and maintain an upright posture without leaning forward.
Adhering to these tips can help prevent accidents and make life a bit easier for those struggling with balance and mobility issues.
- For individuals with mild balance issues or arthritis in the lower limbs, a 1-legged cane can provide assistance, but those with joint or muscle conditions might find the handle uncomfortable.
- Multi-legged canes, such as the 3-4 legged cane, offer greater help with balance and can bear more weight, making them suitable for those with one-sided muscle weakness or more significant balance issues.
- A standard walker, with four rubber-tipped legs, offers more stability but requires the user to lift it with each step, making it less suitable for those with conditions affecting the function of muscles or nerves.
- The two-wheeled walker is easier to maneuver and has a seat and basket for comfort, but it is less stable and requires more cognitive effort to handle.
- For those with issues affecting the spinal cord or conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases, a 2-4 wheeled walker might be a better option due to its ease of movement.
- According to the Arizona Center on Aging, when transitioning from a walker to a cane or vice versa, factors such as balance improvement or deterioration, changes in endurance and strength, the doctor's recommendations, and the user's daily routine should be considered.
- Mobility aids like canes and walkers are classified as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and can be covered by Medicare Part B if they are medically necessary and required for home use.
