A cane or walker should feel manageable to use—not force you to hunch, reach awkwardly, grip uncomfortably, or struggle to move safely.
For people living with arthritis, hand pain, stiffness, reduced grip, or changes in mobility can make a mobility aid harder to handle. The right fit and a few practical checks can help you identify problems that may need attention.
This free Mobility Aid Fit & Adjustment Checklist provides a simple way to review your equipment, notice discomfort or usability issues, and identify questions to discuss with a healthcare professional or mobility-aid supplier.
Quick Answer: What Should You Check on a Mobility Aid?
Check that your cane or walker is set to the appropriate height, the handles are comfortable to hold, the tips or wheels are in good condition, and any brakes or adjustment mechanisms work as intended. Also consider whether the aid feels stable and manageable during everyday use.
If the equipment feels unstable, damaged, or incorrectly fitted, don’t rely on the checklist alone to correct the problem. Ask a qualified professional or supplier for help.
What This Printable Covers
The checklist helps you review five practical areas:
- Fit and height: Whether the aid appears to suit your height and whether you are having to bend, reach, or adopt an awkward posture.
- Handles and grip: Whether the handles are comfortable to hold and manageable with your hand strength and joint mobility.
- Condition and components: Whether rubber tips, wheels, brakes, and adjustment mechanisms appear to be in good condition, where applicable.
- Everyday usability: Whether the aid is manageable in the places where you normally use it.
- Questions and follow-up: Problems you have noticed and any adjustments or professional advice you may need.
Not every check applies to every mobility aid. Use the sections relevant to your equipment.
Download the Free Printable
Download the Mobility Aid Fit & Adjustment Checklist (PDF)
Insert the existing PDF download link here.
Print a copy and use it to record concerns about your cane, walker, or other mobility aid. You can also take your notes to an appointment with a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or equipment supplier.
How to Use the Checklist
1. Identify the Aid You Use
Record whether you use a cane, standard walker, rollator, or another mobility aid. Different devices have different fitting and maintenance requirements.
2. Review Fit and Comfort
Notice whether you need to lean forward, reach up to the handles, grip tightly, or change your posture in an uncomfortable way. These observations can help identify questions about fit.
3. Check the Equipment’s Condition
Look for visible wear, loose parts, damaged rubber tips, wheel problems, or brakes that do not appear to work properly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for routine checks.
4. Think About Your Usual Environment
Consider where you use the aid most often: indoors, outdoors, on different floor surfaces, or in confined spaces. Note any difficulties you encounter rather than trying to solve every problem yourself.
5. Record Concerns and Follow Up
Write down discomfort, instability, difficulty operating the aid, or other concerns. Ask a qualified professional or supplier to assess issues that affect fit, stability, or safe use.
Signs That Your Mobility Aid May Need Attention
Pay attention if you notice any of the following:
- You regularly hunch over or reach awkwardly to use the handles.
- Hand or wrist discomfort makes gripping difficult.
- The aid rocks, slips, or feels unstable.
- Rubber tips are worn, cracked, or missing.
- Wheels stick, wobble, or do not move as expected.
- Walker or rollator brakes do not hold as intended.
- Adjustment buttons, locks, or other fittings seem loose or unreliable.
- You feel less secure using the aid than you did previously.
These signs do not all have the same cause. Some may indicate a maintenance issue, while others may mean the device or its fit needs professional review.
Important: If an aid appears damaged or unstable, stop using it until the problem has been assessed and addressed. If you are unsure how to use or adjust it safely, seek assistance rather than experimenting with the settings.
Who May Find This Checklist Helpful?
This printable may be useful for:
- People with arthritis who use a cane, walker, or rollator.
- Anyone experiencing hand or wrist discomfort while handling a mobility aid.
- People whose mobility or physical needs have changed.
- Caregivers helping someone keep track of equipment concerns.
- People preparing for a mobility-aid fitting or follow-up appointment.
It can also serve as a reminder to review equipment periodically and after a noticeable change in comfort or function.
What This Checklist Can—and Cannot—Do
The checklist can help you organize observations, identify visible concerns, and prepare questions about fit and equipment condition.
It does not replace professional fitting, hands-on instruction, manufacturer guidance, or an assessment of your balance and walking needs. A device that works well for one person may not be appropriate for another.
If you are unsure which mobility aid is suitable, or if your balance, strength, or walking ability has changed, ask a qualified healthcare professional for an assessment.
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About Arthritis Wares
Arthritis Wares provides practical information, checklists, and product guides to help people with arthritis make informed decisions about everyday tasks and useful equipment.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor, rheumatologist, or occupational therapist before making changes to how you manage your arthritis.
