Walking Sticks, Frames or Rollators? Choosing the Right Walking Aid

A walking aid can make the difference between staying active and staying home. But each type gives a different level of support, and choosing the wrong one, or setting it at the wrong height, can make falls more likely.

Walking sticks

A single-point stick gives a little extra balance and takes some weight off a sore leg or hip. Quad sticks, with a four-point base, stand on their own and give a bit more stability.

• Suits: people who are fairly steady but need some support or confidence.
• Tip: a stick is usually held in the hand opposite the weaker or painful leg, moving forward together with that leg.

Walking frames

Frames give much more support, with four points of contact. A standard frame is lifted forward with each step; a front-wheeled frame glides forward and suits people who find lifting difficult.

• Suits: people with significant balance problems, weakness or after surgery.
• Watch for: frames are slower and need more space to turn.

Rollators

Rollators have three or four wheels, hand brakes and often a seat and basket. They allow a more natural walking pace and a place to rest.

• Suits: people who need support over longer distances and can safely use the brakes.
• Watch for: a rollator can roll away if brakes aren't applied. Always lock both brakes before sitting.

Setting the right height

Stand up straight in your usual shoes with arms relaxed by your sides. The handle should line up with the crease of your wrist. Holding it, your elbow should bend slightly, at about 15–20 degrees.

Safety around the home

• Clear walkways of rugs, cords and clutter.
• Check rubber tips and wheels regularly and replace worn parts.
• Take care on thresholds, ramps and wet floors.
• Don't use a walking aid to pull yourself up from a chair unless it's designed for that.

Get assessed

A physiotherapist or occupational therapist can recommend the safest aid and teach you to use it. Funding may be available through My Aged Care or the NDIS for eligible people.

Indoor vs outdoor use

Narrow hallways and bathrooms can make wide frames and rollators awkward indoors. Some people use a frame inside and a rollator for outings. Rollators with larger wheels cope better with footpaths, grass and gravel.

Using a walking aid on stairs

Frames and rollators can't be used on stairs. With a stick, a common rule is "up with the good, down with the bad": lead with the stronger leg going up and the weaker leg (with the stick) going down, holding the handrail. A physiotherapist can teach the safest technique for you.

Maintenance checklist

• Rubber tips not worn smooth or split
• Height adjustment buttons fully clicked in
• Brakes hold firmly on rollators
• Wheels turn freely and are free of hair and debris
• No cracks or bends in the frame

Frequently asked questions

What height should a walking stick be?

Standing straight in your usual shoes with arms relaxed, the handle should line up with the crease of your wrist. Holding it, your elbow should bend slightly, at about 15–20 degrees.

Which hand should I hold a walking stick in?

Usually in the hand opposite your weaker or painful leg, moving the stick forward together with that leg.

Is a rollator or a walking frame safer?

A walking frame gives more stability for people with significant balance problems. A rollator allows a more natural pace and has a seat, but needs the user to control the brakes safely. A physiotherapist can advise.

Can I get a walking aid funded?

Depending on eligibility, help may be available through My Aged Care, the NDIS or state equipment programs, usually after an assessment by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist.

Related guides

• Bathroom Safety for Ageing at Home: 10 Practical Changes
• Buying Health Consumables With NDIS Funding: A Practical Guide
• Pads, Pull-Ups or All-in-Ones? Choosing the Right Continence Product

Sources and further reading

• My Aged Care
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• healthdirect Australia

Last reviewed: October 2026 by the Innovation Project team.

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from a doctor, nurse or other health professional who knows your situation.