How to pick out a cane or walker

By Charlie Kimball, Blogger MedicalCareAlert.com

If your loved one is having trouble with movement, then getting a cane or walker might be the best choice for his or her mobility and independence. Canes and walkers give senior citizens the extra steadiness that they need to stay upright.

How do you choose the best cane or walker for your loved one’s needs?

Care and deliberation must go into the decision. The cane or walker will be used for a long time, and the wrong one could have detrimental effects. The first place that you should look is with a physical therapist. 

What canes and walkers offer

Canes

• Should support up to 25 percent of a person’s weight.

• Are used when your loved one is a little shaky, has arthritis, or has injuries.

• Can be made of wood or aluminum, and may have wide feet for stability.

Walkers

• Should support up to 50 percent of a person’s weight.

• Are used when your loved one has arthritis, problems with balance, or is more prone to falling.

• Are made of lightweight aluminum and should have rubber grips. 

Types of canes

There are four types of canes, each of which will offer different levels of support for your loved one.

Straight canes – Straight canes are another name for hiking sticks. They’re a straight piece of wood. You’ll see hikers using them as they’re tromping through the woods. These types of canes are for those who have little trouble with their balance.

C canes – These are the canes that you’ll see most often with those who have light to moderate difficulty with their balance. They have a curved top. They give the user the ability to balance on flat surfaces and are easy to rest against.

Quad canes – These are the canes with four little feet on the end. Quad canes offer a lot of support and are often used with those who have moderate balance issues. They can support a lot more weight which makes it a great choice for those who are heavier.

Hemiwalkers – The hemiwalker is a quad cane and an actual walker together. This is a transition device for those who may be soon using a walker.

Fitting a cane

When you’re fitting a cane to your loved ones, make sure that when they’re holding it that they’re elbow is at a 15 degree angle to the ground. That’s the most beneficial position to hold it in to avoid further issues with balance and posture.

Types of walkers

Trigger-release walkers – This walker people think of when the phrase “walker” comes up. It’s foldable and easy to move and transport. Be sensitive to the weight requirements of the person using the walker.

Heavy duty walkers – This walker provides more support for those who weigh more or need extra support. It comes in many sizes.

Each type of walker can be fitted with baskets and accessories to make the walker more useful.

Whether you’re going to be choosing a cane or a walker, the most important thing to keep in mind is your loved one’s safety.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist