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...the voice of pensioners

Canes and walking sticks, don’t make you look old they make you look wise

24 Nov 2017

One reason why people don’t want to use a cane is because they don’t want to look old. That is a big mistake. A walking stick is used to get the balance that people lose as they age or become less mobile. Just think about it this way. You don’t want to use a walking stickand then one day you lose balance and fall. The consequences of that fall might be very bad and you might need more than just a walking stick.

As it has been said before, canes are used to help with balance, so you should start using one if you feel that you are not very stable anymore. If you need to hold onto furniture when you are walking at home or you have to drag your foot to feel more secure, it is probably time for you to consider buying a cane or walking stick.

They come in many different shapes and sizes, but there are two main types: standard walking sticks and quad walking sticks. Which one should you choose? Standard ones are used to help with balance and help you stand more upright when you walk. A quad cane has more support at the bottom, which makes them better for those who need more help when walking. Once you have chosen the type of cane or walking stick that is right for you, make sure that it is the right height. Some canes and walking sticks have a pin you can push in to change the height, so it would be a good idea to get one of those. Physiotherapy assesment is advised as the wrong height can do more harm than good.

However, if you still don’t know which type of cane you should get, you can ask your doctor for advice. He or she will tell you which one is better for you (or you might be told that what you really need is a walker or crutches). The most important thing is being aware of the fact that you need help with walking and getting it as soon as possible. While it is true that aging is a wonderful thing, we have to accept that it has some effects on our physical abilities. So, if you want to live longer and healthier, don’t be ashamed of needing help, as getting old is nothing to be ashamed of. The older we get, the wiser we get, so a cane will not make you look old: it will make you look experienced and wise.