Senior to Senior: Walking Aids

Walking gets you out of the house. Walking is more important than ever these days as the need for fresh air and socialization drives us all. If aching joints make walking and/or hiking less enjoyable than it should be, you might need a little help. Have you talked to your doctor about using a cane or a walking stick? Canes and other walking aids do not necessarily scream “old” or “disabled,” but simply mean that you want to be as strong and independent as you can be. Not everyone who uses a walking aid is old, and not everyone who is old uses a walking aid. The main purpose of a walking aid is to provide physical support, but when you learn how handy having one at your side can be you will wonder how you ever got along without one. Tempting as it may be, you shouldn’t decide that you want to use a walker, cane, or walking stick on a whim. A walking aid is serious business and even trekking poles used by intrepid hikers need to be purchased with care. In order to get the maximum benefit, you need to be properly fitted, and you need to know how to use them. Really; we are talking about a professional evaluation and training. Many people use walking aids and it doesn’t reflect poorly on them at all. In fact, there was a time when canes were considered quite fashionable. Remember swashbuckling heroes in old movies? You may not need a cane to fight off the bad guys or feel a need for a “nip” from a hidden compartment, but there are dozens of ways to make this handy accessory work for you. Use your imagination: • To retrieve a dropped ball of yarn or snag a sweater from a high shelf • Scratch your back, wipe up spills, or use to exercise • Use it to make a point • Fend of aggressive wildlife There is a walking cane or a trekking pole out there for you; fold up’s, quad canes, hand carved or plain, decorative or all business. Consider a cane or walking stick to protect your joints, decrease pain, and improve mobility.