Balance
Uneven ground, stairs, crowds and turning quickly may increase the risk of falling.
An everyday field guide
Hips, knees, legs, and feet
Limb loss, arthritis, joint replacement, foot drop, neuropathy and other conditions can change balance, walking or endurance. People may use different supports on different days, or in different places.
Using an aid is a way to access life, not a failure to manage alone. The right aid can mean going further, with less pain and fewer falls.
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What it can involve
Everyone's experience is different. You might recognize some of these, all of them, or none.
Distance and endurance
Walking far, or standing in queues, may cause pain or exhaustion.
Stairs and steps
Getting into buildings, vehicles or upstairs may need alternatives.
Footwear and fit
Shoes, orthoses and prosthetic sockets need to fit well to stay comfortable.
Tools to explore
Start with what you already have. Feature names vary by device and software version.
Already on many devices
- Fall detection on some phones and watches, with emergency contacts set up.
- Maps and transport apps with step-free route options, where available.
- Ride-booking and transport apps that let you request accessible vehicles or assistance.
- Voice assistants to call someone without reaching the phone.
Low-tech and everyday
- Walking sticks, crutches, frames and rollators with seats.
- Stair rails on both sides, and good lighting on stairs.
- Removing trip hazards like loose rugs and trailing cables.
- Supportive footwear and long-handled sponges or sock aids.
Specialist options
- Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and custom insoles.
- Prostheses, including activity-specific or microprocessor knees.
- Wheelchairs or scooters for longer distances.
- Stairlifts, through-floor lifts and level-access showers.
Before you choose
- Has the aid been set to the right height or fitted by someone qualified?
- Will it work on the surfaces, slopes and stairs you actually face?
- Can it fold or fit into your car or onto public transport?
- Who contacts help after a fall alert, and do they know what to do?
Costs, availability, compatibility, and suitability vary. Before paying, check trial options, ongoing fees, privacy settings, repair support, and whether a tool works with what you already use. A simple or free option may be the best fit.
Start small. Stay in charge.
Try one thing
Check one route
Walk through your home and note anything that could cause a trip or fall.
Set up an alert
If your phone or watch has fall detection, turn it on and add an emergency contact.
Try an aid for distance
Borrow or hire a rollator or wheelchair for a longer outing to see if it saves energy.
Who can help
Support is optional and on your terms. Names and availability of services vary by country and region.
Physiotherapist
Can assess walking and balance, and recommend and adjust aids.
Orthotist or prosthetist
Can make and fit orthoses and prostheses.
Occupational therapist
Can advise on home adaptations like rails, stairlifts and bathroom changes.
Fall alerts can miss a fall or trigger by mistake. Battery, signal, setup and available responders affect whether help can be reached.