A walking cane is an incredibly useful mobility aid in most countries including Canada.
Designed to offer balance and stability for people with mobility impairments, a walking cane works by relieving some pressure off your legs. The stick makes walking easy and enjoyable, extending your range of motion.
But while walking canes are meant to be a secure mobility aid, their efficiency depends on proper use. The sticks can prove ironically harmful if you don’t adhere to the right usage guidelines.
Read below for ten ingenious strategies on how to navigate your surroundings In Canada with a walking cane.
1. Understand What a Walking Cane Is Designed For
Canada has one of the most vibrant senior care programs globally, with government and private initiatives designed to help the elderly age in place. Some of these programs focus on availing mobility aids at highly subsidized rates.
Therefore, finding high quality walking canes for seniors in Canada is remarkably easy. Simply compare stores based on their brand reputation, product diversity, and cost considerations.
But even before you go shopping for a walking cane, ensure you understand what these mobility aids can and cannot do.
A walking stick is designed primarily for balance and support. It’s not meant to bear your weight.
Therefore, leaning your entire weight on a walking cane might cause it to break or wobble.
2. Check the Height
A walking cane’s height significantly impacts its comfort and efficiency.
First, you want to ensure your arms hang relaxedly on your side while holding a walking stick. Then, the cane’s handle should stretch to your wrist’s crease.
To choose the right walking cane length, consider one that creates about a 15 – 20 degree bend with your elbows.
Measuring the length from a walking stick’s upper tip to the floor might also help to determine its suitability for your needs. Ideally, the cane should be the same distance as your wrist to the floor when standing up straight.
3. Choose a Proper Hand for a Walking Cane
Holding a walking cane with the wrong hand can diminish your balance, increasing fall risks. To make the most of the stick, grab it by the hand opposite your weak leg.
Assume that you recently had surgery on your left arthritic leg. In that case, it would be best to hold a walking cane by your right arm.
Besides, keep the stick at your hip level for enhanced balance.
4. Match The Cane’s Movement With Your Weak Legs
Not only should you hold a walking cane by the opposite hand as your weak leg.
For enhanced stability, match the stick’s forward movement with your weak leg too. This helps compensate for the pressure your weak leg requires to hold your weight.
You can then follow gently with your stronger leg.
5. Practice Proper Grip
Always grab a walking cane firmly. It prevents the stick from slipping off your hand and sending you flying to the ground.
However, don’t squeeze a walking cane excessively.
After buying a walking cane, you may want to practice holding it for a few days indoors before venturing outdoors. The idea is to find a grip level that works for you.
6. Mind Your Posture
Posture can make or break your experience with a walking cane. The wrong posture can reduce your stability, besides exacerbating musculoskeletal conditions.
The conventional wisdom is to relax your shoulders and keep your head up.
Be sure to also keep your eyes on the road, not fixated on the cane or your problematic leg.
7. Take It Slow
Buying a high-quality walking cane doesn’t mean you can pace like a maniac. While the stick undoubtedly improves your stability, taking hurried strides could prove more injurious to your health.
Take small, controlled steps to minimize fall risks.
It’s also prudent to maintain situational awareness, especially when exploring busy streets or narrow alleyways.
8. Invest In Supportive Shoes
The safety of walking canes also depends on the shoes you wear.
Although you may want to rock it in your elegant stilettoes from time to time, it’s safer to stick to your low heels.
Invest in shoes that offer perfect grip with the ground. This minimizes walking cane accidents caused by slipping.
9. Use Handrails Where Necessary
Dealing with steep stairs is one of the most dreaded moments for seniors living with physical impairments. Fortunately, most storied buildings feature safety handrails.
Never miss a chance to use a handrail while climbing up or down a staircase.
In fact, you should limit using your walking cane while taking the stairs. The consequences of missing a step can be devastating.
If walking on treacherous floors, consider specialty accessories like a quad tip.
10. Maintain Your Cane’s Bottom Tip
A walking cane’s bottom tip is constantly in contact with the ground. That makes it highly susceptible to wear and tear.
To minimize slipping risks while using a walking cane, inspect the bottom tip regularly and replace it as soon as it’s visibly worn out.
The good news is that most walking canes come with a replaceable ferrule. Rather than buy a whole new stick, simply replace this rubber grip.
The Bottom Line
Implementing these tips can significantly improve your safety and freedom while using a walking cane. By following the guidelines, you can explore your surroundings without the nagging fears of encountering walking stick accidents.
Remember, the safety of walking canes ultimately depends on the product you choose.
Always consider your height while shopping for a walking cane. Try the stick and ensure your elbow is comfortably bent and its handle aligns with your wrist’s crease.
The intended use environment, required stability levels, and grip type are other key considerations while scouting for the right walking cane.
