Walking Sticks

By Maria Basso Lipani, LCSW
© 2008-2011

Summary: Walking sticks are a crossover product from the world of hiking, but may present a viable alternative to the standard cane.  With a variety of styles to choose from, custom walking sticks have the potential to catch on like wildfire among older adults.

Dear Maria: My father has difficulty walking but is dead-set against ever using a cane.  He says he would feel old and won’t even discuss the topic to humor me.  Still, I’m really concerned about his balance and the risk of him falling.  The other day I noticed a man in the mall who reminded me of my father with regard to his physical functioning.  He was using what looked to me like two staffs – one on either side  -and I wondered what these are and where I might find them.  Since they didn’t scream “CANES” I thought that my father might consider them.   Julie, Hartford, Connecticut

Dear Julie: While it’s impossible to say for sure, I think the man you saw was using walking sticks.  While walking sticks are not new, they are also not traditionally used among older adults with mobility problems; they are actually most common among hikers.  That said, the basic function of a walking stick is to provide stability.  Of course this is the purpose of a cane as well so walking sticks may provide a practical alternative.

One main selling point of walking sticks is just what you mentioned: they don’t look like canes.  There are standard titanium models that come in a variety of colors and are adjustable and there are also wooden walking sticks.  If your father likes wood, you can even find hand carved walking sticks.  Another type to consider would be folding walking sticks.  By nature a folding model would be less noticeable and this feature may entice your father to give it a try.

With regard to cost, walking sticks are fairly inexpensive.  They can be found at almost any durable medical equipment store and maybe even at one of the larger pharmacy chains.  One note of caution though, there is a method to using them that may take a bit of time to learn.  Instructions often come with the walking stick itself, so be sure to look for this.