As a unilateral hand-supported walking tool, the cane is suitable for hemiplegia or unilateral lower limb paralysis patient who has normal upper limbs or shoulder muscle strength. It also can be used by mobility-impaired seniors. When using a cane, there is something we need to pay attention to. Hope this article can able to help you.
Some seniors who are still physically active start holding a cane in their hands. Seniors will rely on it unconsciously when using a cane. Their center of gravity will gradually to the side of the cane which makes their hunchback worse and lower their mobility in a much faster way. Part of some elderly women are concerned about the aesthetic impact of a cane and choose to use a shopping trolley or bicycle to maintain their balance, which is incorrect and dangerous. Walking with a cane is capable of separating the weight, decreasing the stress on joints, and also reducing the possibility of falls. Using a shopping trolley or bicycle has limited the range of movement and is not as flexible as the cane. So please use the cane when it’s becoming necessary.
Choosing a suitable cane is the key to keeping seniors safe and maximizing their function of it. About selecting the cane, please check this article.
Using a cane needs a certain amount of upper limb support, so some upper limb muscle training should be performed accordingly. Before using the cane, adjust the cane to a height that is suitable for you and check out whether the handle is loose, or burrs that are not conducive to normal use. You also need to check the bottom tip, if it’s worn out, change it as soon as possible. When walking with a cane, avoid walking on slippery, uneven ground to prevent slips and falls, if it’s necessary please ask someone for help and be extremely careful when walking on it. When you want to rest, do not put down the cane first, slowly approach the chair until your hips are close to the chair and sit down steadily, then put the cane to the side. But the cane can’t be too far away, so as not to reach it when you stand up.
Last are the maintenance tips. Please place the cane in a ventilated and dry place and dry it before storage or use it if scrubbed with water. Cane maintenance is professional maintenance tools and equipment required. Contact the supplier for maintenance if quality problems happened.
Post time: Oct-18-2022
