Mobility Problems? Try a Folding Cane
There are few people who are unfamiliar with the phrase “Help! I’ve fallen and can’t get up!” While both corny and ridiculously dramatized, that Life Call commercial from the 80s resonates with a very serious issue facing the senior citizens of America One-fourth of older adults suffers a fall every year in the United States. Two million senior citizens are admitted into emergency rooms for fall-related injuries every year. Falls are the leading cause of death and injury among seniors.
Falls are often linked to issues with mobility. Two of the most common causes of falls unsteadiness and dizziness when walking or standing. Reduced flexibility, health conditions and surgeries can all limit one’s ability to move. For instance, more than one-fifth, or 22.3 percent, of cane users link their limited mobility to osteoarthritis.
If you’re a senior struggling with mobility issues, you’ve likely looked into getting a walking stick or cane for walking. Under 40 percent of Americans 85 and over use some kind of mobility device. Of the 6.8 million Americans who use assistive devices to aid mobility, most prefer to use a cane. In the United States, 4.8 million people (and also 70 percent of of mobility device users) use a cane to assist with walking.
Despite their popularity, walking canes aren’t without their risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 50,000 falls in the United States occur because of issues with mobility devices. Improperly fitted canes and walkers are the culprits; an improperly fitted mobility device can do more harm than no mobility device at all. It should be noted, however, that 9 out of 10 fall related to mobility devices involved a walker and not a cane.
Canes come in many different shapes and sizes. They can even be customized to your exact specifications. Properly fitted custom walking canes may help prevent some of the fall issues associated with an improperly fitted mobility devices.
Folding canes offer the same mobility as other canes, but they also allow cane users to compartmentalize their canes when not in use. Folding canes can be customized, as well. Break out your classy canes for a special event so you can look stylish and be comfortable.
