How to Select Ambulation Aids for Older Adults

Whether an older individual requires an ambulation aid because of gait problems related to pain, weakness or decreased balance due to a chronic health condition like arthritis, the goal is to help the person maintain independence. The key is to select the least restrictive walking aid that offers the most help. However, assistance with walking is not the only thing to be considered. Several factors need to be taken into account when selecting a practical but safe walking aid.

Difficulty:  Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. • 1
     Assess the individual's specific needs. Observing a person in his or her normal living environment is the best way to determine what that person needs to function adequately in day-to-day life. Ambulation aids, which may prove useful in some situations, may actually be unsafe in others. For example, heavier walkers with wheels and fold-away seats may make sense when out shopping; however, they can be cumbersome and even unsafe when ambulating around the home, especially when walking on carpet or going up and down stairs.
   • 2
     Consider whether the individual must use steps. If the person lives in a two-story home, install securely mounted handrails to assist with climbing and descending stairs. It is also helpful to keep a cane or walker at both the top and bottom of the stairs, particularly if the person can manage without the added burden of navigating the stairs with an ambulation aid in tow.
   • 3
     Select a walking aid that allows the person to walk at a speed required for safety. Older individuals crossing a street may need to consider other alternatives if an ambulation aid such as a walker slows them down. In some cases, a person may have to learn to use a cane when crossing streets, as this usually allows one to walk at a faster pace.
   • 4
     Evaluate the individual's endurance level. A person's strength is often a primary factor when determining an appropriate walking aid. For example, standard walkers are lightweight, but require upper body strength to move. In some cases, a wheeled walker or even a wheelchair may be better alternatives, particularly if an older person is weak or becomes easily exhausted.
   • 5
     Determine whether the person needs an ambulation aid that requires both hands or leaves one hand free for carrying things or using a stair banister for support. If an older adult must use two hands on a walker, tying a plastic bag to the front rail of the walker is one solution for transporting small, lightweight items. Baskets should not be attached to the front of walkers, as the weight can cause a walker to tip forward causing a person to fall.