Walking sticks and walkers: choosing the right type and fitting it
A walking aid that is the wrong type or the wrong height can make walking harder, not safer. American Family Physician reports that up to 70% of canes in use are faulty, damaged or the wrong height. This guide explains the main types, how to set the height, and how to use them on flat ground and stairs.
Reviewed 26 October 2026. Researched and drafted with AI assistance, checked against the sources listed below.
First, the right kind of aid
Clinical guidance draws a simple line: a stick is preferred when only one hand is needed for balance or support; when both arms are needed, a walker (or crutches) is more appropriate. Crutches are rarely used by older adults because they need a lot of upper-body strength. People with walking or balance problems, a new disability, or trouble using an aid can benefit from seeing a physiotherapist, who can choose and adjust the aid with them.
The same rule applies to sticks and walkers: with the person standing upright in their usual footwear and arms relaxed at their sides, the top of the handle should be level with the crease of the wrist. Holding the aid at that height, the elbow should be slightly bent: about 15 to 30 degrees according to American Family Physician’s 2011 review, and 20 to 30 degrees in its 2021 review.
Measure standing straight in everyday footwear, arms relaxed. Our drawing, based on the fitting method in American Family Physician (2011, 2021).
Put on the shoes or chappals the person usually walks in.
Ask them to stand as straight as is comfortable, arms hanging loosely, ideally with a hand on a wall or table for safety.
Measure from the floor to the crease on the inside of the wrist. Write it down.
Set the stick or walker legs to the nearest setting and check that every lock button has clicked fully through its hole.
Ask them to hold the handle: the elbow should be slightly bent, the shoulders level, and the body upright, not leaning on the aid.
Using a stick safely
Which hand: hold the stick in the hand on the opposite side to the weak or painful leg.
Walking: move the stick forward at the same time as the weaker leg, keeping it close to the body and as upright as possible.
Posture: stand tall; avoid leaning forward or sideways onto the stick.
Turning: take your time and keep the aid on the ground; do not lift it to swing round.
Stairs: use the handrail. With one weaker leg, go up with the stronger leg first and come down with the weaker leg first. The memory aid clinicians use is “up with the good, down with the bad”.
Step into the walker so both feet are between the back legs or wheels, rather than pushing it far ahead.
With a rollator, the brakes must be on before sitting; back it against a wall or solid object first. A rollator can slide out from under someone if the brakes are not engaged.
Walkers are difficult to use on stairs. Plan where a walker will wait at the top and bottom of any stairs, and get advice before using one on steps.
Our own routine, not from a clinical source: look at the rubber tips for wear or splits, press each height button to check it is fully engaged, tighten any loose screws, test rollator brakes, and wipe handles that have become slippery. Replace a worn tip straight away; it is the part that grips a wet floor.
Free aids for eligible senior citizens
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: Provides assisted-living devices such as walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers, hearing aids, wheelchairs and dentures to senior citizens with age-related disabilities who are in the BPL category or have a monthly income of up to ₹15,000. Devices are made by ALIMCO and distributed through camps; for people aged 80 or above they can be delivered at the doorstep. Ask the district social welfare office, or call Elder Line 14567, about the next distribution camp near you.
Product types only. Ask the person’s doctor or physiotherapist which type suits them before buying.
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Height-adjustable walking stick
A single-point stick for a little extra balance on one side.
What to check
The adjustment range covers the user’s wrist-crease height (measure first with our height helper).
Push-button or twist locks that click firmly into place with no wobble.
A rubber tip fitted, and a handle the hand can grip without pain. An offset handle spreads weight over the shaft; a curved umbrella handle can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Avoid: A fixed-length stick that cannot be set to the right height.
Safety: A standard stick is meant for balance, not for taking heavy weight. Ask a doctor or physiotherapist whether a stick is the right aid.
Rollator (four-wheeled walker with brakes and seat)
For people who walk fairly well but tire easily and want a seat to rest on.
What to check
Hand brakes that lock, and that the user can squeeze and set with their own grip strength.
Seat height and handle height suit the user.
Wheels large enough for your outdoor surfaces.
Avoid: Choosing a rollator for someone with significant balance problems or memory problems.
Safety: Rollators are the least stable walker type and are not for leaning body weight on. Lock the brakes and back the rollator against a wall before sitting.