Utilization of Assistive Devices: Distinguishing Between Walkers and Canes
Looking for a bit of help with mobility? Canes and walkers can do the trick! They're perfect for those struggling with balance or living with disabilities that affect their movement. The choice between a cane and a walker depends on the level of support needed, lifestyle, and budget.
Aging isn't always kind to us. Conditions like arthritis can crop up, making mobility challenging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults experience falls each year, and these falls can lead to serious injuries to muscles and bones in older age. That's where assistive devices come in. They help folks maintain their independence and decrease the risk of falls. Let's dive into canes and walkers to see which one fits your needs.
Canes and Their Types
Canes are suitable for individuals with minimal to moderate mobility issues. A cane can help with balance and stability, and they come in various versions. Here are some popular ones:
- 1-legged cane: Helps with balance, adjustable, but for minimal weight bearing only. Some of these canes have a curved handle, which can be difficult to grasp for folks with conditions like arthritis or joint pain.
- 3-4 legged cane: Offers greater balance assistance than a single-legged cane and can bear more weight. However, these canes are heavier and more cumbersome, and may be harder to use on stairs.
Walkers and Their Types
-helps with balance-adjustable
If you have more substantial mobility issues, a walker might be the way to go. Walkers are suitable for conditions affecting the function of muscles or nerves, as well as fractures. Here are the three main types of walkers:
-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
- Standard walker: Stable, foldable, no wheels, needs lifting with each step.
- 2-4 wheeled walker: Easier to move than a standard walker and may have a seat and basket for added comfort. However, it's less stable than a standard walker and is not foldable.
- 4-wheeled walker (also called a rollator): Allows a more natural gait, has features such as brakes, a seat, and a basket, but requires more coordination and can be heavier to maneuver.
-mild balance issues-mild to moderate arthritis of the lower limbs
Which Medical Conditions Require a Cane or a Walker?
$10-$40
Canes provide stability for those with minor balance or stability issues, leg or trunk weakness, or injuries or pain from conditions like arthritis. A person typically holds a cane with one hand and can add ice grippers for use in slippery conditions.
On the other hand, someone who has had total knee or hip replacement surgery or has more significant balance and mobility issues might prefer a walker. Walkers are suitable for those who need greater support and require the use of both hands.
-offers greater help with balance than a standard cane-can bear more weight-adjustable
Types of Canes and Walkers
-heavier-more cumbersome-may be harder to use on stairs
Standard canes are typically wood or aluminum with a rubber tip and a hook-shaped or flat handle. They're best suited for those needing minimal assistance but may not be the most suitable for those needing greater support.
-one-sided muscle weakness (hemiparesis) or more significant issues with balance
For increased stability, consider multi-legged canes or "sit-to-stand" canes. These canes can stand independently and offer greater stability for users who experience pain on one side.
$15-$40
There are three main types of walkers:
- Standard walker: Stable, foldable, no wheels, needs lifting with each step.
- 2-wheeled walker: Easier to move, has front wheels and backsliders, making it easier to maneuver, but less stable and requires more cognitive effort to handle.
- 4-wheeled walker (also called a rollator): Allows a more natural gait, features such as brakes, a seat, and a basket, but requires more coordination and can be heavier to maneuver.
-stable-foldable
Is it Better to Use a Walker or a Cane?
-no wheels-needs lifting with each step
Effective use of a cane requires that an individual has sufficient strength to walk with it consistently while maintaining their 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. They must also be able to coordinate the cane with their arm while they walk.
-for conditions that affect the function of muscles or nerves or for fractures
Walkers are more appropriate when an individual has a more significant balance impairment. Walkers typically have four legs, enabling 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.
$20-$60
When Should You Switch from a Walker to a Cane?
Determining when to switch from a walker to a cane or vice versa involves several considerations. Consider the following questions:
-easier to move-may have a seat and basket for comfort
- 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?
-less stable than standard-not foldable
Where Do I Get a Cane or a Walker?
-issues affecting the spinal cord, conditions that slow down mobility like heart or lung diseases
A person may be able to purchase their preferred mobility aid directly from a supplier. They may also be able to get them from a clinic or hospital, through their insurance company, or from a non-profit organization for older adults or people with disabilities.
$35-$100
How Much Does a Cane or a Walker Cost?
According to American Family Physician, canes generally cost between $10 and $40. Walkers can be a little pricier, ranging from $20 to $100.
DME and Medicare
Medicare considers walkers and canes as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). A person can rent or buy a cane or a walker through Medicare Part B if it is medically necessary and needed for home use. That said, a doctor accepting Medicare must write the prescription, and the person must purchase the device from a Medicare-approved supplier.
How Do I Use a Cane or a Walker Safely?
No matter which mobility device a person chooses, they should ensure they can use it safely. For a cane and a walker, it is important to:
- Ensure the handle is at wrist level with relaxed arms.
- Aim to keep arms slightly bent while using it and maintain an upright posture without leaning forward.
Canes Safety
When standing, hold the cane with the hand opposite the injured or painful side. When walking, place the cane ahead, step forward with the painful or injured leg, and follow with the other leg.
When going upstairs, step up using the stronger leg first while holding on to the handrail. When going down, place the cane down first, then the weaker leg, followed by the stronger one.
Walker Safety
Place the walker one step ahead, move the injured or painful leg to the middle, and then bring the stronger leg to meet it, taking small, slow steps.
The safest way to sit down is to back up to the chair, feel for the seat, and lower yourself slowly down. To stand, push up with your arms and grasp 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.
Takeaway
Aging can bring mobility challenges, but assistive devices like canes and walkers can help people maintain their independence, support them while they recover from injury, and help decrease the risk of falling. Canes and walkers are suitable for individuals with some degree of mobility. Both offer mobility support, so the person's choice depends on the support they need, their lifestyle, and the cost of the device.
- Canes and walkers can be essential for older adults, as they help maintain independence and decrease the risk of falls – a common issue in older age.
- Canes are suitable for those with minimal to moderate mobility issues, offering balance and stability in various versions such as single-legged or three-legged canes.
- For individuals with more substantial mobility issues, walkers may be more appropriate, catering to conditions affecting muscle or nerve function and providing greater balance assistance.
- Aging can bring medical conditions like arthritis, which can affect mobility, making assistive devices like canes and walkers crucial in daily life.
- When considering a cane, there is a wide range of costs, with prices typically falling between $10 and $40. Walkers, on the other hand, can range from $20 to $100.
- Medicare considers both canes and walkers as Durable Medical Equipment (DME), and provides the option to rent or purchase them if they are medically necessary and needed for home use.
- Proper use and safety are essential when using mobility aids like canes and walkers. Adjusting the handle to wrist level, keeping arms slightly bent while using, and maintaining an upright posture are recommended practices for safe usage.
- Chronic diseases, muscle or nerve conditions, injuries, and post-surgery recovery are few examples of medical conditions that can necessitate the use of assistive devices like canes and walkers, helping enable a decrease in the challenges posed by aging and chronic health issues.
