by Growing Needs | Feb 21, 2025 | Caregivers Support, Caregiving, Lifestyle & Wellness, Wellness
Designed to enhance mobility and independence, walking aids can help patients achieve independence, build confidence and be mobile again. As one ages, joint and bone pain become more commonplace due to wear and tear, post-surgery recovery, arthritis, neurological disorders.
It is common to see older persons using an umbrella as a substitute for a walking aid in fear of judgement or embarrassment from using a walking aid. This might be especially tough during the transition period from being able to walk independently to using a walking aid. If your loved one is opting for an umbrella or hiking stick as a substitute for a walking aid, it might bode well for their safety if caregivers educate them on the dangers of doing so. An umbrella might not be able to support the entire body weight, increasing the likelihood of falls occurring and is not customisable to one’s height, leading to back and neck pain.
There is no one best walking aid out there but one should get a walking aid based on their needs. Something that is suitable for one might not be as suitable for someone else. When in doubt, always reach out to a physician or a physiotherapist for consultation on which walking aid best suits the condition of your loved one.
Walking frames have 4 main legs and 2 parallel grab pads, providing steady support for the user. Walking frames provide support to those who need support on both sides of their bodies. One thing to note is that the user needs to have sufficient strength to lift the walking frame up to tread forward.
Learning how to use a walking aid correctly and safely is important in making sure it serves its intended use. Lift the frame up to approximately 1 step forward and walk forward to the frame.
Walking frames with wheels – similar to the walking frame but with wheels. This is suitable for those who need more support but unable to lift the walking frame up. This can be a problem for those with limited mobility, who need to lean on the walker to take the weight off their legs and help them move around. It is also important to note that leaning on a rollator can be a major safety hazard and can cause the walker to roll out from underneath the user.
A quad stick is a type of walking aid that has a four-legged base, providing a wider area of support than traditional canes. Quad canes are typically made from lightweight materials such as aluminium or carbon fibre, making them more usable for seniors. These quad sticks often come with hand grips and are adjustable in height.
Choose between a broad or narrow base quad stick based on your needs. The quad base gives extra support as compared to a regular walking stick which means when comparing the broad and narrow base quad sticks, the broad one would naturally provide greater support. If your loved one is still pretty mobile but needs more support, this might do the trick.
Most suited for seniors who need minimal support from a walking aid. This could be especially useful for seniors who are navigating the transition stage where they are facing some problems with walking independently but generally still able to.
When used properly, a walking stick can alleviate some of the pressure on our joints by distributing the weight more evenly. Furthermore, it helps in improving balance, making activities of daily living safer and more comfortable. When getting about activities such as climbing the stairs, it gets noticeably harder when one ages and a walking stick can work wonders in terms of boosting confidence by providing a sense of stability.
One note is that walking sticks need to be customised according to one’s height. If used consistently at an unsuitable height, it can bring back and neck pain.
Staying independent and remaining mobile is even more important as one heads into their silver years. From a caregivers perspective, equipping your loved ones with the means to be as independent as possible bodes well for both their physical and emotional well-being
To supplement this, check out this article on the top rehabilitation exercises seniors can do to remain as independent as possible.
Growing Needs grew out of our own encounters with caring for our aging parents and reflecting on the Growing Needs that we ourselves would face as we advance in years. We hope to build a community that will learn, share and contribute towards caring for the growing needs of our loved ones.
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