What to do with a mobility aid you no longer need

Crutches, a cane, or another mobility aid often stop being needed sooner than expected — once an injury has healed, once rehabilitation is finished, or when nobody in the family uses a late relative's aid any more. Before putting it in the cellar or taking it to the tip, it's worth considering where else it could still be useful.

If the aid is still functional and in good condition, the most sensible option is to pass it on. Many charities, care homes, and hospices are glad to receive donated crutches, canes, walking frames, or wheelchairs, which they then lend out to people in acute need. It's also worth asking at a local pharmacy or medical supply shop — many of them have their own network they pass aids on to.

Another option is a mobility-aid lending service, run by some hospitals, charities, or local councils. A returned aid, once disinfected, can serve another patient who only needs it for a limited time — for example after surgery — without having to buy their own.

If the aid was on loan to you (for example from a health insurer, hospital, or lending service), check the terms of the loan — it usually needs to be returned to wherever it came from, even once you no longer need it yourself.

For fabric parts (handles, straps, covers), thorough disinfection or replacement is advisable before further use — especially if someone else will be using the aid after you. Metal and plastic parts just need washing and wiping down with a disinfectant.

If the aid is damaged and unfit for further use, it belongs at a recycling centre rather than in general waste — the metal frames of crutches and walking frames can be recycled. Some municipalities also offer bulky-waste collection directly from the home, where a non-functional aid can be handed in.

Whichever route you choose, a functional aid that would otherwise just take up space could make a real difference to someone else — worth the extra few minutes rather than throwing it away.