If you have difficulty with balance and mobility, a walker and a cane can help. Deciding between the two will depend on how much support you need, where and how you aim to use the device, and your budget.
Certain chronic conditions can make it tougher to move around as we age. In addition, the older we get, the more we are
Depending on your needs, a mobility device like a cane or walker can help you maintain independence and reduce your
A cane can support you if you live with minor issues affecting balance and mobility, such as minor leg or core weakness. You may also benefit from a cane if you’ve experienced an injury with a similar impact or live with pain caused by a condition like arthritis.
Generally, the types of canes are:
- Standard canes: These have one leg and feature a comfy rubber tip.
- Three- or four-legged canes: These offer more stability, and some come with a secondary grip (“sit-to-stand” canes), which makes getting up or sitting down easier.
It’s important to consider that typically you hold a cane with one hand, which means you need to be able to balance with your other hand and not hold on to anything.
Canes generally can have flat or hooked handles. Depending on your comfort level, you may prefer one type of handle over another. Canes with three to four legs offer more stability.
If you’ve undergone a total knee or hip replacement or live with any condition that significantly impacts balance and mobility, you may benefit more from using a walker.
This device typically has three or four legs, and you operate it using both hands. To make it more comfortable, you can add support for your wrists or arms and other accessories, such as wheels or brakes, to suit your needs.
There are three main types of walkers, each designed to meet different needs:
- Standard walker: This has four rubber-tipped legs, offering great stability, but needs to be lifted with each step.
- Two-wheeled walker: This has front wheels and backsliders, making it easier to move around, but less stable, and requires a bit more power to use.
- Four-wheeled walker: Often called a rollator, this device comes with handy features like brakes, a seat, and a basket, but requires a bit more coordination and can be heavier to handle.
Each type of walker has its perks and challenges, so choosing the right one depends on what works best for you and your needs.
Effectively using a cane requires enough strength and balance to walk comfortably. You’ll need to coordinate the cane with your arm and stabilize yourself as needed.
Conversely, walkers may be more comfortable if you have more significant balance issues because they allow you to shift your body weight off your legs.
Your choice also depends on whether you intend to use it at home or outdoors. In addition, if you or your loved one is currently using either a cane or a walker, you can gauge whether it’s time to switch by considering how well your device supports balance, the degree of needed endurance, how and where it’s used, and the advice of the monitoring doctor.
Pros
- helps with balance
- available with one, three, or four legs, depending on the degree of stability you need
- can be adjusted
Is a walker safer than a cane?
When picking out a mobility device for yourself or a family member, it’s important to ensure it can be used safely.
For both canes and walkers, you’ll need to adjust the handles to wrist level and maintain a slight arm bend with an upright posture while using them.
With canes, specifically, you’ll hold the device in the hand opposite the side of the body that has more difficulty with balance and coordination or the side with more pain. When walking upstairs, you’ll go up with the unaffected side first. When descending, you’ll always place the cane down first.
When it comes to walkers, you’ll need to move the walker first, then the most affected part of your body, followed by the less affected part in small steps. If you need to sit down, you’ll back up to a chair and lower yourself slowly. Then, to stand, you’ll push up with your arms.
Generally, it’s best to avoid using walkers on stairs or escalators.
Cons
- bears less weight than a walker
- may be harder to grip with some curved handles
- multiple-leg canes may be heavier and harder to use on stairs
Canes typically range in price from $10 and $40, while walkers are slightly more expensive, costing between $20 and $100.
Mobility devices with MedicareOlder adults enrolled in Medicare can get coverage for a cane or a walker through the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit of Part B.
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you’re generally eligible if a Medicare-approved doctor prescribes the device and you need it for home use. You also must rent or buy the device from a Medicare-approved supplier.
In 2025, after you’ve met the annual Part B deductible of $257, Part B will pay for 80% of any covered treatment or service. You also have to pay a monthly premium, which starts at $185, depending on your income.
Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans should offer the same benefits. Private insurers manage these plans and offer different premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance depending on your plan. According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17.00 in 2025.
As we age, chronic conditions or unexpected injuries can negatively affect our mobility and independence. Walkers and canes can help during recovery and reduce the chance of falls.
When considering which mobility device to choose among walkers and canes, think about how much support you need, your lifestyle, and your budget.
It’s also important to consider whether you need the device for the short or long term and to speak with your doctor before you make this decision.