Handicap Canes / Canes for Disabled Individuals

What are Handicap Canes?

Handicap canes are designed primarily to facilitate the mobility of elderly or partially-disabled individuals. Of course, a user cannot utilize a walking cane if he is physically unable to walk (i.e. completely disabled), but there are many people with less serious or temporary disabilities arising from surgery or injury, who can benefit from using a cane. A cane for disabled persons can allow even a disabled person to walk around. In other cases, these canes are able to aid, for instance, in physical therapy or recovery.

Types of Handicap Canes

The original event or condition which necessitated the use of a cane often determines the type of cane needed. While this is not the only factor to consider when purchasing a walking cane, it is doubtlessly the one that should be made the highest priority. Other factors include:

Weight Capacity

One factor that a user needs to consider is the model’s weight capacity. Disabled walking sticks offered by AvaCare Medical are able to hold anywhere from 250 to 500 pounds, with the majority of them being able to hold 300 pounds.

Handle Grip

The type of handle required for a walking cane also depends on its primary service to the user. This, however, is more of a matter of comfort. If a user has more problems with his hands or wrists, he may prefer a foam gripped or offset handle. Some users still prefer the standard, crook-shaped cane handles, and that is fine too. 

Canes for Blind

Handicap canes designed for blind users are quite a bit different than the typical walking sticks for disabled or elderly people. One benefit that a cane for the visually impaired may have includes folding capability. Models intended for the blind are also some of the longest walking sticks available, with some being about 50” in length. They often feature reflective tape and have a special tip that is made of a harder plastic or rubber, since these are not meant for bearing weight, but rather for use as a walking guide.

Cane Tip 

Aside from walking sticks made for the blind, the cane tip can make quite a difference. Many handicap walking canes often come with regular tips (quad canes will have four smaller tips on each “foot”), and therefore a user may want to change them to something else entirely. If a user would like a single cane to have the same functionality as a quad cane or tripod cane, the user may want to purchase a special four-point walking cane tip or a tripod cane tip that can allow self-standing capabilities. 

Choosing the Best Handicap Cane

Cane users need to know how to measure the fit of the cane to accommodate their needs and physical height. To measure, the cane should be completely perpendicular to the ground while the user’s wrist is comfortably at his side and the elbow is bent slightly. One must also make sure that the base height of his walking cane is not going to be either too tall or too short for him.

When using a cane, one should always make sure that he braces himself with the cane on the side opposite of his weaker leg. If a user has ever utilized crutches (or a single crutch), the process is quite similar. One should move the cane forward to be in front of his stronger leg so as to have the support typically provided by the stronger leg. As the user steps with his strong leg, he will keep the cane in place, and then wait to move it forward until he is stepping with the problem leg again. Disabilities preventing the use of both legs may require the help of a walker or even a wheelchair instead.

If you’re looking for a sturdy walking cane, AvaCare Medical can provide handicap models from the top providers across the nation! Have questions or concerns? Call us at 1-877-813-7799, or send us an email and we’ll reply as quickly as possible.