Mobility Devices

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 Crookneck, 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 (or crookneck) is easy to hang on something and many prefer its stability. The Fritz has a shovel type handle which I find they doesen't give a good grip and it gives me a low level of stability.

My advice: stay away from anything gimmicky! Start with a solid $20 cane from Amazon. Learn how to walk with it and you can wait until later to worry about the fancy stuff.

Typical Cost: $20 - $200

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 help you get out of the car. Very simple design and super inexpensive. Definitely worth getting for help getting up and out of a car. You can put all of your weight on the handle if needed - they are rated at 400 lbs capacity!

Typical Cost: $5 - $8

Wheeled Walker / Rollator 

Walkers are awesome, but for me it was a little surreal to get one, I did not want it to be true. It took a while to feel "normal" while using it, but it gives me a lot more freedom and stamina. Now I keep a foldable wheeled walker in my car trunk and use it whenever I'm heading into a any larger store. They can range wildly in style and price. I prefer one with a built-in seat and I've added a cupholder. 

In my situation I didn't have insurance to pay for it, so I put up an ad post on Marketplace seeking a free walker. I ended up with two very nice rollators in less than 24 hours. If you're in a similar situation, try looking in Nextdoor or Marketplace for free and low-cost durable medical equipment.

Typical Cost: $60 to $400 and up