Did you know that most people use their cane
the wrong way, and they don't even know it? I
know it sounds like I'm being a little dramatic,
but using a cane incorrectly can actually make
balance worse, increase fall risk, and strain
your joints. Today, I'm going to teach you the
simple steps to use a cane the right way so you
feel steadier, safer, and more confident every
time you walk. You'll learn which hand to hold
it in, how to match your steps, and a few tricks
that make a cane work for you instead of against
you. And just so you know where this guidance
comes from, we at Senior Safety Advice have the
training and experience to help seniors and family
caregivers stay safe in the homes they love.
All right, let's dive in. So let's talk about
something that we see all the time when we work
with older adults, and that is a cane that's
being used as a decoration instead of support.
I'm sure you know what I mean. Either the cane
is too short, too long, held in the wrong hand,
or used more like a poke stick than a balance
tool. So let me break this down in a way that's
simple, quick, and easy to remember. First, the
cane goes in the opposite hand of your weaker
leg. I know that sounds backwards. People think,
well, my right knee hurts, I should put the cane
in my right hand. But that actually makes walking
harder. When the cane is in the opposite hand,
it reduces the pressure on the weak side and
gives you much better balance. If your right
knee is the problem, the cane belongs in your
left hand. If your left hip is weak, the cane
goes in your right hand. This one simple switch
makes a huge difference. So let's move on to
how to walk with a cane. A lot of people take
a step with the cane after they move the weak
leg, but that throws off your rhythm. Instead,
you want to move the cane at the same time as
your weaker leg. So the pattern looks like this.
Cane plus weak leg, then move strong leg. Cane
plus weak leg, then move strong leg. Just keep
repeating that pattern. It creates a smooth and
natural movement that supports your body weight
at the exact moment you need it. Now another
huge issue is cane height. A cane that's too
short makes you lean and twist. If it's too tall,
your arm ends up stiff and uncomfortable. So
here's an easy way to check the height. Stand
tall, let your arm relax by your side, and look
at where your wrist crease is. That's the height
your cane handle should reach. And when you hold
the cane, your elbow should bend just slightly,
around 15 to 20 degrees. Nothing fancy, just
a small bend. Now let's talk about stairs, because
this is where a lot of people get nervous. There's
a little phrase that therapists use that make
going up and down stairs simpler. Up with the
good, down with the bad. So what that means is,
going up the stairs with the good, you want to
step with your stronger leg, the good one, first,
and then follow with the cane plus the weaker
leg. When you're going down the stairs, going
down with the bad, the cane goes first, then
the weaker leg, and then the stronger leg. Always
use handrails if they're available. That gives
you two points of support and it's much safer.
Now if you're wondering, I wonder, I don't know
if my cane is still right for me, here's a few
signs that it's worth getting it checked. If
you feel unsteady, if you lean heavily on the
cane, if the cane feels awkward or tiring to
use, if you're moving slower instead of more
smoothly, and if you drag the cane rather than
placing it. Sometimes a walker or a rollator
is a better fit, but often just adjusting the
height or switching hands changes everything.
Another mistake I see is people using old wooden
canes that just aren't adjustable. Yes, they
look charming, but they can't be customized to
your body. And bodies change. Strength changes.
Pain levels change. A cane that fit you 10 years
ago may not fit you today. For many people, an
adjustable aluminum cane with a comfortable grip
is the safest option. And while we're here, let
me add this. It is completely normal to feel
hesitant or embarrassed about using a cane. I
hear about this all the time, but canes are tools
of strength, not weakness. They help you stay
active and independent and on your feet, which
is something to be proud of. If you're helping
a parent or a spouse with their cane, here's
one more tip. Let the person practice in a quiet,
open space before walking into a crowded room
or uneven areas. A little practice goes a long
way towards confidence. Using a cane correctly
is one of the fastest ways to reduce your fall
risk, and the more confident someone feels with
their care, the safer their entire home becomes.
So thanks for joining me today. Please share
this episode with someone you care about who
could use the information to make their life
safer. You'll find more resources for seniors
and caregivers on our website at seniorsafetyadvice
.com. And if you're searching for an Aging in
Place Specialist, please visit our sister website
at aginginplacedirectory .com. Then come back
tomorrow for another Daily Moment of guidance
and encouragement, right here on the Senior Safety
Advice Podcast. Oh, and before I forget, if you
haven't subscribed to our YouTube channel or
to this podcast yet, go ahead and do that right
now. Until next time, thanks for listening, take
care, bye!