There are many situations in life that can limit your walking ability. These range from injuries and accidents to other serious health conditions. Regardless of what has occurred, everyone should have a safe, dependable way to get around. One of the most common mobility aids for people with an unsteady walk is a cane.
The prevalence of canes is seen in the fact that you can purchase them in a variety of stores, not just medical ones. Even still, these mobility aids are unique. They can be made from different materials such as plastic, wood, or metal. Their shape can differ from one another as well. Additionally, you can find differences in the grips and tips.
Having the right kind of cane largely benefits those who are in need of mobility assistance whether long-term or temporary. It can provide you with a better sense of security or get you on the path toward recovery. Finding the right one can often take time though as there are a number of features you need to consider. Otherwise, you can wind up with a cane not suited for you and place yourself at risk. We urge you to read on below to discover how to find the perfect cane to fit your needs.
Who Needs a Cane
With all of the assistive devices for mobility out there, you may wonder what type of situation will call specifically for a cane. Why not use a walker or a wheelchair instead? Like walkers, canes are used by people who are normally independent in their mobility yet are in need of some assistance. However, unlike walkers, canes are lighter and easier to handle, which is one of their prime advantages. Their primary purposes are to achieve balance and/or support for health-related issues that are not debilitating enough to require something like a walker.
To use some examples, if you are suffering from a lasting condition such as arthritis, then you may require the use of a cane. Another case for someone who needs a cane is in the event of an accident or injury. A cane benefits in a way that it can guide you down a steady, safe path to recovery. Canes can help those who may not feel steady enough to walk whether they are on a slippery surface or not. They work well too for those who are at risk of falling. Moreover, they can provide pain relief, especially for those who need support getting up or sitting down. If you’re unsure you need a cane, you can speak with your healthcare provider.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Where Can You Find Canes
If you have determined your walking can benefit from the use of a cane, then you should acquire one as soon as possible. Before making any purchase, however, have an understanding about what type of cane you will need, something a healthcare provider can help you with. As for where to look, various types of canes are in abundance in medical supply stores. You can also find them at pharmacies or department stores. However, their features may not always vary at those two locations, so be sure to examine the canes before committing to any of them. There are also specialty online stores that sell a large number of canes.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Average Cost of Canes
If you have shopped around for canes whether in-store or online, you may have noticed a common trend on their price. The average cost of canes depends less on where you find them and more on their type and how they are made. A typical, standard cane can be priced within a $9-$20 range. In this case, stores tend to sell the lower-priced products more often than an online catalogue will. When you start looking into different types, the average cost begins to raise. Folding canes are typically around $15-$40. Lastly, you have to consider specialty canes (e.g. custom, extra features). On average, you can spend upwards of $80.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Customized Canes
While you have an idea of how much canes cost, you may want to consider purchasing one that is more personal than any store bought cane can be. The advantages of customized canes are numerous. For one thing, the cane will fit just you. When you require support or balance, the wrong height or build is a safety hazard. A customized cane ensures the walking aid fits you just right. In addition, customized canes easily allow for additional features unique to your situation. Those with arthritis may occasionally have trouble with their grip, so customizing a cane to adhere to that is beneficial down the road. You can design a personalized cane at many online retailers.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Fashionable Canes
On the track with customizable canes comes the desire to consider options beyond more safety features. That is where style and taste comes in. Fashionable canes are highly popular choices for those who are long-term users of these walking aids. How you decorate your cane varies from colors, to specialized handles, and even some engraving and unique carvings for different patterned shapes. Although we all understand the benefits of canes, some people are still initially reluctant to use them due to them being such a bold, visible statement of a disability. With a fashionable cane, you can get a much-deserved confidence boost in addition to keeping your health in check.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Extra Long Canes
For those of you who are on the taller side of the spectrum, the fact that you can customize your cane, fashionable or not, benefits you more than you may realize. Not all standard canes are made in a way to reach the height required for someone who is over 6’0″ tall. Unfortunately, this causes many people to accept and just use standard canes. Using canes at the wrong height can cause you to hunch over and present a fall risk. Thankfully though, there are extra long canes designed to specifically meet the needs of people in this situation. In most cases, you can find a good selection of these through online cane retailers.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Medical Cane
Though a personalized cane may look and feel nice, you must always remember when using a walking aid for health purposes, it is important to focus on those features first before anything else. For many people, determining the right medical cane starts with a recommendation from their healthcare provider.
From there, you can discover all of the benefits from having a medical cane. They offer a number of different features such as forearm rests, added stability on the tips, having four tips instead of one for extra support, and more. The perfect cane assures that you remain safe and confident in your walking at all times.
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