Walking sticks in "tottery" in old age

I’m a retired physiotherapist who used to work with fallers / people with poor balance, and let me assure you that what you have been advised ( not to use a stick because it will cause muscle weakness) is incorrect. You sound like you need one to maintain your balance and safety ( better that than fall and fracture your hip!!!) but you need to continue balance and strengthening exercises to maintain / improve strength and balance. Definitely use a stick , especially outside . Good luck x

ExDancer, ignore your Instructor. You’re far more likely to keep your muscle tone by walking using a stick. As an earlier poster asked, how old is she? Please don’t risk a broken hip. I’m 85 and, like Grammaretto, I too have had a TRH (through arthritis not a fall), mine was last November and only now am I nearly back to anything like normal. It’s no joke - so get that stick (or sticks), get walking and tell your Instructor to do a little more research (in the nicest possible way!)

Teabag woman
Thank you.
I never thought of getting a lightweight one as an option for when I need a one that can pack away quickly.mine is an all terrain walker which can fit in the car but it takes more space.

I’m with Truffle on the subject of walkers. I have a lightweight one that’s easy to put into n a car but much prefer my larger one that’s easy enables me to walk much further at a better pace and comfortably. I’m partially sighted and find that people are much more helpful when I use my walker than when I use my white stick.

I have balance issues and use a stick it has helped a lot. Previously when walking my arm would shoot out as I wobbled it is not the first time I have almost hit someone.
I thought about getting a walker but hesitated as I felt it would age me but I wanted to feel safe as I never know when the vertigo will strike.
Recently I bought a really good quality walker and it has changed my life. I walk upright have full balance and take longer walks due to feeling more secure. I still use my stick but get a lot more exercise using the walker as I can walk at a good pace. For your own safety I would definitely suggest you use a stick or walker.

If you feel safer using a stick then use one but continue the exercise class. However a GP consultation may be wise to investigate the causes of your unsteadiness. Who knows it may be something easily remedied. X

As others have said, it will be detrimental to your mobility if you fall and injure yourself because of balance issues, so I would recommend using a stick. I also recommend you do exercises that focus on balance and mobility. I’ve recently discovered (and am enjoying) this online “senior” fitness instructor - this is a 30 minute exercise routine but he also does short videos of just 3 exercises
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-g7TAjjAE8

Recovering from a stroke ,I found using a walking stick gave me confidence to go for walks and helped with my recovery.There’s always a walking stick in the back of my car……you never know if you may need it.

I have an arthritic hip which sometimes 'seizes up' when I'm sitting down, making it very difficult to stand up and leave! I find the walking stick saves me a lot of pain and gives me extra mobility. It's horses for courses, I suppose - an adjustable stick costs about £10.00, and a GP can tell you how long to make it and how to use it.

I've used a stick from the age of 38 I now also use a rollator I walk further and for longer using my aids than Id ever do without them I think your exercise lady is talking nonsense

Having had Osteo arthritis since I was around 21 it gradually worsened until a Physio suggested I try a walking stick. So got a grotty fold up one & forgot to pick it up when we were getting in the car to go on holiday. When we realised we spent ages wandering round a small town looking for a shop selling sticks. Asked someone who said try the Barbers. Feeling a bit silly went to the Barbers where he had hundreds of different sticks all handmaid. He would go foraging in the local wood & pick any fallen branches he thought wood make a good stick. A good sideline for him. I bought one & it does not look like a fussy old persons stick. It is now almost 30 years old & still going strong! Best stick Ever!!

Hopefully using a stick will give you confidence to walk even more. If so you will be using your muscles just as much if not more than without the stick

Get sporty looking nordic sticks as these will give you a workout, and have a little backpack for carring anything, and you will be safer, it's a balance thing, as pointed out by other gransnetters

icanhandthemback

Allira

icanhandthemback

It won't hurt to keep a fold-up stick in your bag for those times you need more confidence if you are wobbly. However, have a health check to see if you have any imbalances (s'cuse the pun) as sometimes magnesium/postasium/etc, can cause wobbles.

as sometimes magnesium/postasium/etc, can cause wobbles

Do you mean taking it or lack of it, icanhandthemback?

I do take magnesium for cramp but not every day.

Sorry, I didn't make that clear, the lack of it in your blood. They are both things that my mother has "been off her feet" for but there are other things that can cause problems by having too much or too little in your blood screen. These imbalances are quite common as we age.

Thanks!
I'll carry on taking it occasionally if I feel a cramp coming on. .

Wish I’d used a stick yesterday might have saved my fall and broken wrist for the 2nd time! Plastered up again and face looks like it’s taken a beating from Mike Tyson 🙄😡

Nordic walking poles from amazon have been a real help for me. I find that two sticks rather than the one I used to use, is a better strategy as I don't over-compensate and one side for the other, and the pressure on my hand with one stick is alleviated as both hands are working. The walking poles also help to scaffold my back.
In terms of becoming reliant, I can see the point here but if it's a question of that or braking a hip I know which I prefer. Walking poles are not expensive - worth a try.

I would think it is safer to use your stick. I joined a Tai Chi class and it has improved my balance a lot, I can bend and stretch much more easily and stand on my toes, a previously lost art and that is very helpful for balance. I practice this when cleaning my teeth.

I. am in my eighties and use my stick but not all the time and it is amazing the difference in the behaviour of others. When I use my stick, cars will stop to let me cross roads, people offer to help me negotiate steps, gates and obstacles. No stick , no help offered. I do get rather cross as I am quite capable of looking after my self and resent the tone of voice used as if I am half witted but they are kind and caring so I bite my tongue and smile.

I am approaching 70 and have R.A.
My walking stick was provided by the occupational therapist.
It has an ergonomic handle and the correct height was measured.
It has been invaluable in preventing me
tripping up and falling.

Unless the exercise teacher has medical qualifications,: I would be ignoring her advice.
Is it possible to get a referral to either OT or Physio?

Allira

icanhandthemback

It won't hurt to keep a fold-up stick in your bag for those times you need more confidence if you are wobbly. However, have a health check to see if you have any imbalances (s'cuse the pun) as sometimes magnesium/postasium/etc, can cause wobbles.

as sometimes magnesium/postasium/etc, can cause wobbles

Do you mean taking it or lack of it, icanhandthemback?

I do take magnesium for cramp but not every day.

Sorry, I didn't make that clear, the lack of it in your blood. They are both things that my mother has "been off her feet" for but there are other things that can cause problems by having too much or too little in your blood screen. These imbalances are quite common as we age.

icanhandthemback

It won't hurt to keep a fold-up stick in your bag for those times you need more confidence if you are wobbly. However, have a health check to see if you have any imbalances (s'cuse the pun) as sometimes magnesium/postasium/etc, can cause wobbles.

as sometimes magnesium/postasium/etc, can cause wobbles

Do you mean taking it or lack of it, icanhandthemback?

I do take magnesium for cramp but not every day.

flowering one folding ones striped ones all sorts certainly not the old fuddy duddy wood things

I had to start using a stick in my late 60s when my spondylolisthesis got so bad that being on my feet for more than a few minutes meant my leg and foot went completely numb which somewhat complicates the action of walking safely. It certainly has made me feel safer when I'm out and about.

I have a balance disorder that’s not age related but I know that as I’m aging, my general balance is deteriorating and I would use a stick if I felt I might fall. As someone else says it’s the lesser of the two evils really. I like the idea of a fold up one that you can keep in your bag and just use as needed. If not, maybe a lovely coloured one. I would…and do…keep up exercising….all of us are less balanced as we grow older and I don’t see it as either, or, with regard to stick use and exercise. So, I would do both and not let this define you. It’s just to help with some physical balance….there is more to you than that.

I would like to say that a walking stick alerts others to be mindful of you. I had experience of airports with twisted ankle and had only an antique stick with metal tip which was useless on tiled floors. I thought I might get offers of help with bags etc but sadly no joy. It was covid times and not able to get anything better at short notice.

It won't hurt to keep a fold-up stick in your bag for those times you need more confidence if you are wobbly. However, have a health check to see if you have any imbalances (s'cuse the pun) as sometimes magnesium/postasium/etc, can cause wobbles.