Assistive Devices: Choosing Between Walkers and Canes - Understanding the Right Time for Each
Navigating the world with a little help can make all the difference for older adults and those with disabilities facing balance or mobility challenges. Balance and mobility aids can help individuals maintain their independence, recover from injuries, and reduce the risk of falls. This article provides an overview of canes and walkers – their pros, cons, varying types, and how to select the best option for you or your loved one.
Battling age-related conditions can sometimes make moving around more challenging. Each year, older adults face a significant number of falls, which can result in severe muscle or bone injuries. Supplementary devices are available to help individuals maintain their independence and provide support during recovery periods. Canes and walkers cater to various degrees of mobility support, so the choice depends on one's specific requirements and preferences.
Canes vs. Walkers – What's the Difference?
Canes and walkers are often used interchangeably, but there are differences in their design, functionality, and applicability.
Canes offer additional stability and help with balance, typically for users with mild to moderate issues. Walkers provide substantial support, making them more suitable for individuals with more severe balance problems or bilateral weakness. Consider overall medical condition, lifestyle, and budget when deciding between a cane and a walker.
A Basic Comparison of Walkers vs. Canes
-helps with balance-adjustable
Cane:
-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
Helps with balanceAdjustableFor minimal weight bearingGreat for mild balance issues, mild to moderate arthritis, and minor weaknessCost: $10-$40
-mild balance issues-mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs
Quad (4-legged) Cane:
$10-$40
Offers greater help with balance than a standard caneCan bear more weightAdjustableSuitable for one-sided muscle weakness or more significant balance issuesCost: $15-$40
Standard Walker:
-offers greater help with balance than a standard cane-can bear more weight-adjustable
StableFoldableNo wheelsFor conditions that affect muscles, nerves, or fracturesCost: $20-$60
-heavier-more cumbersome-may be harder to use on stairs
2-4 Wheeled Walker (Rollator):
-one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance
Easier to moveMay have a seat and basket for comfortRequires less lifting with each stepAppropriate for issues affecting the spinal cord or slower mobility due to conditions like heart or lung diseasesCost: $35-$100
$15-$40
Medical Conditions Requiring a Cane or Walker
Canes and walkers help provide stability during mobility. A cane aids individuals with minor balance or stability issues, weak legs or trunk, or injuries or pain from conditions like arthritis. When there have been total knee or hip replacements or more significant balance and mobility issues, a walker is more appropriate.
-stable-foldable
Types of Canes and Walkers
-no wheels-needs lifting with each step
Standard canes are typically wooden or aluminum, with a rubber tip and hook-shaped or flat handle. They are best for those needing minimal assistance.
-for conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures
Canes with three or four legs are more adjustable and provide additional stability. These canes are an excellent choice for individuals experiencing pain on one side.
$20-$60
According to the Arizona Center on Aging, there are three types of walkers:
- Standard: Four rubber-tipped legs offer more stability but require the user to lift it with each step.
- 2-wheeled: Easier to maneuver, but less stable and may necessitate more cognitive effort to use.
- 4-wheeled (rollator): Allows a more natural gait, has brakes, a seat, and a basket, but requires more coordination and can be heavier to maneuver.
-easier to move-may have a seat and basket for comfort
Each walker type has benefits and drawbacks depending on the user's individual needs and abilities.
-less stable than standard-not foldable
Choosing Between a Walker and a Cane
-issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases
Effective use of a cane requires the individual to have enough strength to walk with it consistently, while maintaining balance. While a cane can assist with minor balance problems, it requires the user to be able to steady themselves if they begin to slip and coordinate the cane with their arm while walking.
$35-$100
Walkers are generally more suitable for individuals with significant balance impairments, as they allow users to redistribute their body weight when moving. As an individual's strength and endurance improve, they can gradually start putting more weight on their legs.
Whether a person uses a walker with or without wheels depends on their daily routine and the terrain they need to navigate.
Acquiring a Cane or Walker
A person may be able to purchase their preferred mobility aid directly from a supplier, or obtain them through a clinic, hospital, insurance company, or a non-profit organization.
Cane vs. Walker Costs
Generally, canes cost between $10 and $40, while walkers range from $20 to $100.
Medicare and Mobility Aids
Medicare considers walkers and canes as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). A person can rent or buy a cane or walker through Medicare Part B if it is medically necessary and needed for home use.
Using a Cane or Walker Safely
No matter the choice, ensure proper use and safety. For canes and walkers, the handle should be at wrist level with relaxed arms, and the user should try to keep their arms slightly bent and maintain an upright posture.
Cane Safety
When standing, hold the cane with the opposite hand from 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. On stairs, always use the stronger leg first when going up and place the cane down first when going down.
Walker Safety
Place the walker ahead, move the injured leg to the middle, and bring the stronger leg to meet it, taking small, slow steps. When sitting down, back up to the chair, feel for the seat, and lower oneself slowly. To stand, push up with arms, grasp the walker’s handgrips, and never use the walker to help stand up.
In conclusion, various chronic conditions can affect mobility as we age, increasing the risk of falls. Additional support provided by mobility aids like canes and walkers can help individuals maintain their independence, ease recovery, and decrease the risk of falling. The choice between a cane and a walker depends on the individual's level of support needed, lifestyle, and cost.
Canes and walkers, though often used interchangeably, have distinct differences in design, functionality, and applicability, catering to varying degrees of mobility support. Each health condition and aging stage requires specific considerations. For instance, canes, such as a basic single-legged or a three- or four-legged cane, offer additional stability for those with mild to moderate balance issues or arthritis. In comparison, walkers like standard, wheeled, or rollator walkers provide substantial support for individuals facing more severe balance problems or bilateral weakness and are appropriate for those who have experienced total knee or hip replacements or have conditions that affect muscles, nerves, or fractures. Both mobility aids are available for purchase directly from suppliers, hospitals, or non-profit organizations, and can be covered by Medicare Part B if they are medically necessary for home use. Proper use and safety measures, like keeping cane handles at wrist level and walking cautiously on stairs for canes, or moving with a steady and cautious gait for walkers, are essential to ensure their effectiveness. CBD, a popular supplement known for its potential pain-relieving properties, may also contribute to overall health and wellness by helping manage chronic diseases and age-related conditions, promoting fitness and exercise, and improving nutrition.
