Getting older brings a lot of wisdom, but it also brings changes to how we move. I’m Brian Kerr, the founder of Fall Guys Products, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that a mobility aid can be the difference between staying active and staying stuck.
But here is the thing: simply having a walker or a cane isn't enough. In fact, if you’re using it the wrong way, you might actually be increasing your risk of a fall rather than preventing one. It’s like wearing shoes on the wrong feet: they’re meant to help you walk, but they’ll probably trip you up if you don't get the basics right.
In our work, we see the same handful of mistakes over and over again. These aren't just minor hiccups; they are significant safety risks. The good news? They are all easy to fix. This guide is designed to walk you (and your caregivers) through the most common errors and give you clear, reassuring steps to get back on steady ground.
1. The "Hand-Me-Down" Trap: Using the Wrong Device
One of the most common mistakes I see is a senior using a mobility aid that belonged to a spouse, a neighbor, or a friend. It’s a kind gesture to pass these tools along, but mobility aids are not "one size fits all."
A cane provides minimal support: usually about 25% of your body weight: and is meant for balance or slight weakness in one leg. A walker or rollator provides much more stability. If you need a walker for balance but you’re using a cane because it was "available," you’re putting yourself at risk.
How to Fix It:
Before you start using any device, consult with a professional. A physical therapist is your best friend here. they can assess your gait, your strength, and your specific needs to tell you exactly what kind of device you need. Don't settle for "good enough." If you need a four-wheeled rollator with a seat because you get tired easily, a standard two-wheeled walker won’t serve you well.
2. Setting the Height Based on "Feel"
I can’t tell you how many people I see hunched over their walkers or holding their canes so high that their shoulders are up to their ears. If the height isn’t right, the device can't support your weight properly.
When a device is too low, you’ll lean forward, which throws off your center of gravity and increases the risk of a forward fall. If it’s too high, you won't be able to put enough pressure on the device to stabilize yourself, and it can cause significant shoulder and neck pain over time.
How to Fix It:
There is a simple "rule of thumb" for height adjustment. Stand as straight as you comfortably can with your arms hanging naturally at your sides. The handle of the cane or walker should be level with the crease in your wrist.
When you grip the handle, your elbow should have a slight bend: usually about 15 to 20 degrees. This allows you to push down effectively without straining your joints.
3. Holding the Cane on the Wrong Side
This is perhaps the most misunderstood rule in mobility safety. Naturally, most people want to put the cane on the side that hurts. If your left hip is painful, you want to put the cane in your left hand, right?
Actually, that’s incorrect. Holding a cane on the weak side doesn't provide the right support for your center of mass.
How to Fix It:
Always hold your cane in the hand opposite of your weak or injured leg. If your left knee is the problem, hold the cane in your right hand.
When you walk, you move the cane and the "bad" leg forward at the same time. This allows the cane to take the weight off the injured side and mimics the natural swinging motion of your arms. It feels counterintuitive at first, but once you try it, you’ll feel the difference in your balance immediately.
4. Neglecting Maintenance: Checking the Tips and Wheels
Mobility aids are mechanical tools, and like a car, they require maintenance. The most critical part of a cane or walker is the rubber tip at the bottom. These tips are designed to provide grip and prevent the device from sliding out from under you.
Over time, that rubber wears down, becomes smooth, or cracks. When that happens, your "non-slip" device becomes a "slip-ready" hazard, especially on smooth surfaces like tile or hardwood floors.
How to Fix It:
Check your equipment once a month. Look at the bottom of the tips. If the tread is gone and they look smooth, or if you can see the metal of the cane poking through the rubber, replace the tips immediately.
If you use a walker or rollator, check the wheels for hair, carpet fibers, or debris that might be caught in the axles. Make sure the brakes lock firmly. If the device feels "wobbly" or makes a clicking sound, it might have a loose bolt that needs tightening.
5. Using the Device as a "Lift"
This is a mistake we often see in the living room. Someone is sitting in a chair and they reach out for their walker to pull themselves up.
Walkers and rollators are not designed to take horizontal weight. If you pull on a walker to stand up, the walker can easily tip over toward you, leading to a fall. They are meant for vertical support: pushing down once you are already standing.
How to Fix It:
When rising from a chair or bed, do not touch your mobility aid yet. Instead, use the armrests of the chair or the surface of the bed to push yourself up to a standing position. Once you are stable on your feet, then reach forward and place your hands on the walker or cane handles.
Caregivers can help by ensuring the senior has sturdy chairs with firm armrests that make this process easier.
6. The "Short Trip" Exception
We hear this all the time: "I only use my walker when I go to the grocery store, but I don't need it to go from the couch to the bathroom."
The truth is that the majority of falls happen at home, often during those "short trips." It might be a midnight bathroom run where the lights are dim, or a quick trip to the kitchen while wearing slippers. If you have been prescribed a mobility aid, your balance is compromised regardless of whether you are in a parking lot or your own hallway.
How to Fix It:
Commit to using your aid for every trip, no matter how short. If you find your walker is too bulky for your home's layout, that's a sign you need to adjust your environment, not ditch the aid. Clear wide paths between furniture and remove throw rugs. Consistency is the key to safety. You want the use of your aid to become second nature, something you do without thinking.
7. Looking Down at Your Feet
When people feel unsteady, their natural instinct is to look down at their feet to see where they are stepping. While it feels safer, it actually makes you more likely to trip.
When you look down, your posture slumps, your head moves forward, and your center of gravity shifts. This position makes it harder to react if you encounter an obstacle in your path, like a pet or a door threshold. It also prevents you from seeing hazards before you reach them.
How to Fix It:
Practice "horizon walking." Try to keep your chin up and look about 10 to 15 feet in front of you. This allows you to see the entire environment. You can see the rug that’s slightly bunched up or the cat sleeping in the hallway long before you get there.
If you’re worried about where your feet are, trust that your mobility aid is providing the "feel" for the ground. With a little practice, your peripheral vision will handle the ground level while your main focus stays on the path ahead.
A Note for Caregivers: Building Trust
If you are a caregiver watching a loved one make these mistakes, it can be frustrating. You might feel like you’re constantly nagging. It’s important to remember that for many seniors, a mobility aid can feel like a loss of independence.
Instead of pointing out what they’re doing "wrong," frame it as a way to stay "right." For example, instead of saying, "You're holding that cane wrong," you might say, "I read that holding the cane on the other side actually takes more pressure off your hip: want to try it and see if it feels better?"
Encourage a "safety check" day once a month where you look at the walker tips together. By making it a routine part of home maintenance, it feels less like a critique of their abilities and more like a shared goal of staying active and safe.
Strengthening the Foundation
Mobility aids are incredible tools, but they work best when combined with physical strength. Even if you use a walker, doing simple balance exercises: like standing on one leg while holding onto the kitchen counter or doing seated leg lifts: can improve your stability.
A mobility aid is a partner in your independence. When you use it correctly, you aren't just preventing a fall; you’re giving yourself the confidence to keep moving, keep exploring, and keep living life on your own terms.
Check your height, check your tips, and keep your head up. You’ve got this, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Stay safe out there.
