An Analysis of Problems with Canes Encountered by Elderly Persons

In the United States, over 1.5 million persons use walkers, and 77 percent are 65 or older. Yet walkers rank high in terms of numbers of users experiencing problems in their use. This paper provides an overview of walker designs and features a review of the literature on studies of walkers and walker use, and an analysis of walker problems experienced by subjects in the University at Buffalo Consumer Assessments Study (CAS). Of 333 subjects in the CAS at the time of this analysis, 324 subjects reported at least some difficulty with ambulation, and 69 used a walker. Forty-two of the walker users reported problems relating to 46 walkers they owned. Fifty-seven percent of the problems were categorized as "difficult and/or dangerous" to use, pointing to the need for careful professional assessment, prescription and follow-up. A relatively small percentage (4 percent) of walker owners cited stigma as a problem.