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I hit a point when my balance and stamina was so bad that I had to start using a cane and later it was a walker. In both cases I fought using them, it made me feel like people were staring at me. I told myself I did not need them, I would keep telling myself this right up until the next fall!
If you have similar feelings, just let them go. A cane and a walker have saved me from many falls and they allow me to go places and do things that I wouldn't have been capable of. I absolutely love my walker nowadays. I have a seat to sit in anytime I am tired, a cool storage bag, and the best feature is the cup holder!
Here is the lowdown:
Canes
Canes are great, they come in all shapes and sizes. Before you purchase one the first thing you should look at is the handle; make your decision on which handle and then look at canes. The three major handle variations I usually see are the Crook and hook, the fritz, and the offset. Despite how creaky it is, I use the offset as I think it works best for stability. When I get off-balance it gives me better recovery. The crook and hook is easy to hang on something and many like its stability. The Fritz has a shovel type handle and many people report it is easy on the hands.
My advice, stay away from anything gimmicky! Start with a solid $20 cane from WalMart. Learn how to walk with it and you can wait until later to worry about swiveling bases, collapsable poles, hardwood canes with brass handles from India, etc..etc
Car Door Handle Assist
Another overlooked device is the "car door handle assist". They hook onto the inner door latch and provide a handle to assist getting out of the car. Very simple design and super inexpensive, $5 to $8. Definitely worth getting for help getting up and out of a car. They are rated at 400lbs capacity!
Walkers
Walkers are awesome but for me it was a little surreal to get one. They range wildly in style and price - $60 to $400 and up.
In my situation I didn't have insurance to pay for it, however I put up an ad on Marketplace seeking a free walker. I ended up with two very nice rollators for free. Don't forget to search the free items in Nextdoor and Marketplace for any durable medical goods.
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