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Cane or walker? How to tell what your mom or dad needs

A cane or walker can help an older parent stay steady, keep walking and stay independent. But the wrong aid — or the right one at the wrong height — can make walking harder and even add to the risk of a fall. Here’s how to tell what might suit them, and how to set it up properly.

Written by Abhiraj Radhakrishnan, PT, MPT · 7-minute read

 

Signs a walking aid might help

• Holding on to furniture, walls or counters to get around the house
• A fall or near-fall in the past year
• Walking more slowly, shuffling, or stopping often to rest
• Pain or weakness in one hip, knee or leg that changes how they walk
• Feeling unsteady outdoors, on uneven ground or in crowds
• Avoiding outings because walking feels unsafe or tiring

Any of these is a good reason to have their walking checked. A new aid works best when it fixes the actual problem — and the cause of unsteadiness (pain, weakness, dizziness, vision, medication) matters too.

When a cane is enough

A cane suits someone who needs a little extra support or balance — for example mild arthritis in one hip or knee, or slight unsteadiness outdoors. Used properly, a cane takes only about 10% of the weight off the painful leg, and it is the least stable of all walking aids. So it works well only if your parent has reasonably good balance, grip and arm strength.

Types of canes

• Standard cane — a single tip; for mild balance problems or mild arthritis.
• Offset cane — the handle sits over the shaft, so weight goes straight down; often used for moderate arthritis.
• Quad cane — four small feet for a wider base; commonly used after a stroke. It can be awkward on stairs.

Which hand? Hold the cane in the hand opposite the weaker or painful leg, and move it forward at the same time as that leg. Many people hold it on the wrong side.

When a walker is the better choice

A walker gives much more support and stability than a cane. It’s usually the better choice when balance is poor, both legs are weak, or a cane isn’t enough. There are three main types:

Standard walker (no wheels)

The most stable walker, but it has to be lifted and placed with every step, which is slow and tiring for someone with weak arms. Often used when weight must be kept off one leg, for example after a fracture.

Two-wheeled (front-wheeled) walker

Front wheels let it glide forward without lifting, so walking feels more natural. A good middle option for arthritis, pain or poor balance, and often helpful for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Rollator (four wheels, seat and brakes)

Easy to push and has a seat for rest breaks — popular for people who tire quickly, for example with heart or lung conditions. But it is the least stable walker. It is meant for people who don’t need to lean their weight on it, and it is not a good fit for significant balance problems or memory and thinking problems, because it can roll away unexpectedly.

Quick comparison

Aid	Often suits	Watch out for
Cane	Mild pain or weakness on one side; mild unsteadiness	Least stable aid; needs decent balance, grip and arm strength
Standard walker	Needs maximum stability; keeping weight off one leg	Must be lifted every step; slow and tiring
Two-wheeled walker	Poor balance, arthritis, pain; Parkinson’s	Takes up space at home; tricky on stairs
Rollator	Good balance but low endurance; needs rest breaks	Can roll away; brakes must be used; not for leaning heavily

Getting the height right

A cane or walker at the wrong height changes posture and can increase strain and falls. In one review, up to 70% of canes in use were faulty, damaged or the wrong height — most often too high.

1. Have your parent stand upright in their usual shoes, arms relaxed at their sides.
2. The handle (or walker grips) should line up with the crease of the wrist.
3. Holding the handle, the elbow should bend slightly — about 15 to 30 degrees.
4. Recheck the height if they change shoes, and check rubber tips and wheels regularly.

[PHOTO: measuring cane height at the wrist crease]

Using it safely

• Use the aid every time — including short trips to the bathroom at night. Keep it within reach of the bed and chair.
• Rollators: lock both brakes before sitting, and never let anyone push your parent while they sit on it — it isn’t a wheelchair.
• Don’t use a walker on stairs. Ask a physiotherapist to teach safe stair technique with a cane or rail.
• Clear a path at home: remove loose rugs and clutter so a walker fits through doorways and halls.
• Replace worn rubber tips, and check that brakes still grip firmly.

Falls while using a rollator can be serious. A Dutch study estimated about 3 emergency visits for every 100 older rollator users each year, and most were falls — often causing fractures, especially hip fractures. Good fit, proper training and working brakes all lower the risk.

Many people stop using a new aid soon after getting it — reports suggest 30 to 50%. It’s usually because it feels awkward, doesn’t fit, or was never properly explained. A short session with a physiotherapist makes a big difference.

Paying for it: Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program (ADP)

If your parent lives in Ontario, has a valid health card, and needs the aid for 6 months or longer, ADP can help with the cost:

• ADP covers wheeled walkers (including rollators) and forearm crutches — but not standard canes or walkers without wheels.
• ADP pays 75% of the approved cost; you pay 25%. People receiving Ontario Works or ODSP may have the full cost covered.
• Your parent must first be assessed by an ADP-registered physiotherapist or occupational therapist, and buy from an ADP-registered vendor.
• Don’t buy first — if you buy before the ADP steps are done, you may have to pay the full cost.

Step by step: our ADP funding guide walks you through the whole process — with a quick check to see whether you may qualify.

When to get a professional assessment

• Your parent has fallen, or has had several near-falls
• They are unsure which aid to choose, or the current one doesn’t seem to help
• They are recovering from surgery, a stroke or a hospital stay
• They want to apply for ADP funding

Their family doctor can also refer them to physiotherapy. If your parent has a sudden change — new weakness, confusion, or can’t stand — call 911 or see a doctor right away.

Sources
Mobility Assistive Device Use in Older Adults — American Family Physician, 2021
Geriatric Assistive Devices — American Family Physician, 2011
Bateni & Maki. Assistive devices for balance and mobility: benefits, demands, and adverse consequences — Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2005
Four-wheeled walker related injuries in older adults in the Netherlands — Injury Prevention, 2014
Mobility aids — Assistive Devices Program, Government of Ontario

This article is general information, not a personal assessment. Every person is different — have a physiotherapist or occupational therapist check which aid is right, and how to use it safely.