The Cane: Part of the First Line of Defense in Preventing Falls

By Maria Basso Lipani, LCSW
© 2008-2011

Summary: One of the most widely recognizable pieces of mobility equipment today is a cane.  Canes provide an immediate sense of stability to those who may be unsteady on their feet due to illness, injury or age and they are not very cumbersome.  For older adults who need extra support while walking, a cane is most effective when it’s coupled with a good pair of walking shoes.

Dear Maria: My mother has tripped a few times in the last month, never hurting herself, but coming too close if you ask me.  I see a lot of older adults who use a cane and I wonder if they really do help.  Do you think so?  Angela, Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Angela:  The purpose of a cane is to provide the user with stability; for that reason, using one is probably better than not using one.  However, you mentioned that your mother has been tripping recently and this may or may not be something that a cane alone could help; she may also need new shoes.  Let me explain.

My great aunt who is 95 recently began using a cane.  She is famous for wearing stockings with a pair of sandals on her feet all year long.  This seems harmless enough, but the sandals are almost always too big and so the support around her ankle is pretty much nonexistent.  The result is that her feet slide around in her shoes each time she takes a step.  The best cane in the world is not likely to do much good because she could still lose her balance as the result of her shoes.

That said I would strongly suggest taking a peek at your mother’s shoes before purchasing a cane.  Make sure they are flat and have a rubber sole, preferably with some traction.  Once she’s gotten a good pair of shoes, the cane should be next if she’s willing.  There are several different kinds of canes to choose from including walking canes and folding canes.

Lastly, if you really want to help your mother to prevent trips and falls, make sure she has no throw rugs in her home that her feet could get caught up in.  Removing items like these and ensuring that her home is well lit and has clutter-free pathways are some of the best things you can do.  She might also consider having her eyesight checked too.