Senior Safety: Is Your Cane Adjusted Properly and Are You Using it on the Correct Side?

So often I see someone using a cane that probably belonged to someone else and was never re-fitted, which can create a dangerous fall hazard. To make matters even worse, they fight the body's natural reciprocal tendency and use it on the wrong side. Yikes, an accident waiting to happen!

How tall should your cane be? Generally, it should be about one-half of your height. More specifically, when the rubber tip is on the floor, the top of the cane should reach the upper inside crease of your wrist when your arms are relaxed at your sides and you are wearing your usual shoes. From this position, when you grasp a properly adjusted cane, and hold it perpendicular to the floor with the tip adjacent to your forefoot on the same side, your elbow should be bent approximately 25-30 degrees.

What is the best type of cane to use? There are many different types of canes in the marketplace. Find one that feels comfortable to grip and is sturdy. A pistol grip may be easier to hold than a J grip if you have arthritis in your hands. Some people only need a cane to give them a bit of help with balance, but if you are leaning more heavily on your cane, proper fit and stability are extremely important. Also, be sure the tip is non-skid and in good repair. Many canes are adjustable with a simple push-button mechanism. You may want to first use this type to get the right height and then as a guide for any cane which needs to be cut. Also, unlike a walker, a cane easily falls over when it is leaned against furniture or a wall, so I would recommend getting a small wrist strap. Some straps are made of soft Velcro and can be attached to the arm of a chair. They will also allow you to free up your hands to access your house key or get something out of your pocket with your cane still within easy reach.

If one leg is weak or painful do you use your cane on the same side or the opposite side? With movements involving upper and lower extremities, the body's natural patterns are reciprocal. Runners and marchers naturally advance the right hand and left foot simultaneously and vice-versa. If you hold your cane on the same side as your weak or injured leg, you are fighting the body's normal coordination patterns and could more easily become unbalanced and stumble. The safest method to use a cane is to advance it along with the opposite foot in a smooth pattern..