What do you know about a walking stick? Senior citizens in Canada and the USA are signing up in large numbers for a martial art course called Can Fu.
It is a self defense course which uses just the Walking Cane.
That set me thinking about the simple assistive device that has become an integral part of many elders' lives.
Who needs a walking stick? There are two types of people I can think of.
Those who have suffered some injury or have pain the foot, leg or knees due to arthritis and need external support.
Those, because of age (wear and tear) have lost balance of gait and require a third leg to support, so to say.
Why will anyone use them? Well the most important obvious reason is to support and help in balancing while walking when we get old.
Its use adds to mental comfort, a sense of self confidence, dignity, style, prestige and so on also.
Proper use of walking sticks will improve balance and prevent falls that are costly.
Walking sticks may be used to scare away dogs, pick up trash, (as an aid) to dry clothes in a clothesline, to save a person under electric shock and so on.
At the appropriate time if you remember you can put it use in different unusual uses.
Walking sticks come in all shades, shapes, colors and hues.
They are usually made of wood like pine, rose or ebony.
Some are fully covered by leather sheath for protecting the wood and for adding elegance.
Aluminum walking sticks are also in vogue.
Generally the sticks have a rubber or metal tip at the business end.
If you like tick tack noise while walking alone and if that gives you some confidence and comfort you would prefer metal tip.
Otherwise rubber tip is fine which is noiseless.
The handle gives a firm grip to the hand.
The fancy decorative shape of the handle portion of a walking stick depends only upon the manufacturer's imagination and your taste.
Apart from standard walking sticks we do get special ones like foldable sticks or multipurpose canes.
Like a foldable umbrella you can pack the stick in your brief case while you travel.
Foldable sticks are also adjustable on its length.
Sticks that come with a torch (focused LED) at the handle, a vibrator that acts as a massager or a built in alarm are all available.
The source of light is useful if you are walking in a dark unlit street.
The loud alarm can be set off if you are attacked.
Whether we go in for standard walking canes that are simply functional or highly fashionable it is imperative that they are strong, sturdy, and unbreakable.
The design needs to take care of ergonomics and the use of stick by itself should not add to fatigue.
When buying a walking stick, see to it that the height (length) is OK.
While it possible to shorten a stick by cutting out the tip it is not possible to increase the length.
So we need to keep this in mind when we gift a walking stick.
When we use a stick we need to put the weight on the unaffected leg.
Walking sticks do not cost the earth.
Both locally made and imported ones are available.
Domestic products cost anywhere from Rs 180 to Rs 300.
Imported pieces start at Rs 450.
Imported folding type may cost even Rs 650.
One shop that I know which stocks almost a complete range of assistive devices for the elderly and handicapped (not just walking sticks) is Sayani Surgicals in Hyderabad.
They have some branches too.
Both retail and wholesale customers are encouraged.
Many hospitals, NGOs dealing with disabled, Senior Citizen Organizations are among reputed customers of Sayani.
They offer substantial discounts to senior citizens with valid ID cards.
Does anyone know where courses like Can Fu are conducted in Hyderabad or India?
It is a self defense course which uses just the Walking Cane.
That set me thinking about the simple assistive device that has become an integral part of many elders' lives.
Who needs a walking stick? There are two types of people I can think of.
Those who have suffered some injury or have pain the foot, leg or knees due to arthritis and need external support.
Those, because of age (wear and tear) have lost balance of gait and require a third leg to support, so to say.
Why will anyone use them? Well the most important obvious reason is to support and help in balancing while walking when we get old.
Its use adds to mental comfort, a sense of self confidence, dignity, style, prestige and so on also.
Proper use of walking sticks will improve balance and prevent falls that are costly.
Walking sticks may be used to scare away dogs, pick up trash, (as an aid) to dry clothes in a clothesline, to save a person under electric shock and so on.
At the appropriate time if you remember you can put it use in different unusual uses.
Walking sticks come in all shades, shapes, colors and hues.
They are usually made of wood like pine, rose or ebony.
Some are fully covered by leather sheath for protecting the wood and for adding elegance.
Aluminum walking sticks are also in vogue.
Generally the sticks have a rubber or metal tip at the business end.
If you like tick tack noise while walking alone and if that gives you some confidence and comfort you would prefer metal tip.
Otherwise rubber tip is fine which is noiseless.
The handle gives a firm grip to the hand.
The fancy decorative shape of the handle portion of a walking stick depends only upon the manufacturer's imagination and your taste.
Apart from standard walking sticks we do get special ones like foldable sticks or multipurpose canes.
Like a foldable umbrella you can pack the stick in your brief case while you travel.
Foldable sticks are also adjustable on its length.
Sticks that come with a torch (focused LED) at the handle, a vibrator that acts as a massager or a built in alarm are all available.
The source of light is useful if you are walking in a dark unlit street.
The loud alarm can be set off if you are attacked.
Whether we go in for standard walking canes that are simply functional or highly fashionable it is imperative that they are strong, sturdy, and unbreakable.
The design needs to take care of ergonomics and the use of stick by itself should not add to fatigue.
When buying a walking stick, see to it that the height (length) is OK.
While it possible to shorten a stick by cutting out the tip it is not possible to increase the length.
So we need to keep this in mind when we gift a walking stick.
When we use a stick we need to put the weight on the unaffected leg.
Walking sticks do not cost the earth.
Both locally made and imported ones are available.
Domestic products cost anywhere from Rs 180 to Rs 300.
Imported pieces start at Rs 450.
Imported folding type may cost even Rs 650.
One shop that I know which stocks almost a complete range of assistive devices for the elderly and handicapped (not just walking sticks) is Sayani Surgicals in Hyderabad.
They have some branches too.
Both retail and wholesale customers are encouraged.
Many hospitals, NGOs dealing with disabled, Senior Citizen Organizations are among reputed customers of Sayani.
They offer substantial discounts to senior citizens with valid ID cards.
Does anyone know where courses like Can Fu are conducted in Hyderabad or India?