Helping Your Loved One Adjust to a Walking Aid

One-quarter of elderly people fall each year in the United States. What’s worse, these falls can lead to a cascade of serious, and even life-threatening, complications.

That’s why it’s critical to set your loved one up with a walking aid. According to an older study from 2011, about one-quarter of Americans aged 65 and older use an assistive device for mobility, which is a great step toward addressing aging and the risk of falling.

To help you or your loved one navigate the early days of using a walking aid, whether it’s a cane or walker, our team of neuro-optometrists here at DeyeNAMICS pulled together these tips.

Get the Mobility Device Under a Doctor’s Care

Work with your loved one’s primary care provider, or other specialist, to get the right walking aid rather than just picking something up at your local pharmacy.

Your loved one’s health team understands the overall picture of your loved one's fall risk and can ensure they’re outfitted with the right device. There’s a big difference between walking canes and walkers, and even some significant differences within each of these categories. This can make choosing the correct mobility aid difficult  without the assistance of professionals.

Use the Walking Aid Correctly

There are right ways and wrong ways to use most tools, and this applies to walking aids. Get expert guidance on how to use the assistive device first. Under professional supervision, your loved one can learn how to walk, get up stairs, get out of chairs, etc., with the device.

Make Sure the Mobility Device is Sized Correctly

Work with a medical professional to make sure the walking aid is sized and set correctly. For example, adjusting the cane or walker too short or too high can lead to musculoskeletal issues or further impaired balance and increase their risk of falling.

Go Slowly

Your loved one has enjoyed full mobility their entire lives, and it can be frustrating to have to rely on a walking aid. So, start slowly and ease into the practice until they are comfortable and confident using their device.

Keep Up with Other Therapies, Including Vision Therapy

A walking aid is a great step toward preventing falls, but it’s not the only one. Make sure your loved one keeps up with other therapies, such as physical therapy for strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

This also includes addressing vision issues which can significantly affect  balance with the help of our providers. Vision is a critical component of fall prevention, and we can do our part to make sure your loved one can navigate their world safely and independently.

If you have more questions about your loved one’s transition to a walking aid or you’d like to make sure their vision is optimized, we invite you to contact us at one of our offices in Sacramento, Bellflower, or Valencia, California; Guildford, Connecticut; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; or Plano, Texas, to schedule an appointment.