How walking sticks and diabetic shoes help seniors in better walking.

January 27, 2021

Walking stick:

Loss of balance could be an issue mainly due to aging (or) could also be because of various health conditions. Especially for seniors with balance issues, walking sticks play a major role in adding extra support to keep themselves stable and well balanced.

 

For seniors who are living alone, using a walking stick makes them feel independent and enhances their self-confidence. Walking sticks are generally used for those seniors who are facing mobility issues as well as those who have undergone a surgery.

 

Diabetes shoe:

Diabetes is well known for the fear for amputation (i.e removal of a part of extremity). Diabetic patients often experience less sensation in their feet due to improper circulation of blood. This improper circulation of blood (or) loss of sensation of the feet is mainly due to the diabetic neuropathy

 

Diabetes neuropathy affects the nerves of the leg/feet causing loss of sensation or improper blood circulation to the feet. Diabetic shoes are uniquely tailored for the diabetic patients to protect their feet and prevent it from unwanted damages and infections. These diabetic shoes are specially tailored with no stitches to prevent irritation. Diabetes shoes offer a wide space for the toes as certain diabetic patients would have a chance of developing deformity of their toes/feet. Diabetic shoes also prevent injury as wound healing is not an easy process in an diabetic patient. You can buy diabetic footwear online in India.

 

Why do seniors need a walking stick ?

Seniors need additional support to increase their self- confidence to stay independantly as well as to ensure safety. As they age, the muscles lose their capacity to work efficiently. While other physical disabilities as well as health issues contribute to this cause. Seniors  who are prone to repeated falls can take the help of walking sticks.  A walking stick offers the external support to give you a proper balance.

Types of walking sticks:

There are different types of walking sticks available in the market. Choosing the right walking stick is really important to assure the desired effect. Choosing the wrong option of walking stick can lead to other related mobility issues like poor walking, back, etc.

 

  1. “C” - shaped walking stick : This specific walking stick has a C- shaped handle.This is the most basic and the conventional type of walking stick available easily in the market.This C shaped walking stick needs a minimal effort to offer the desired support.

 

  1. Functional walking stick: This functional walking stick is the same as the C - shaped walking stick except for the handle.Functional walking stick has a flat/straight handle whereas a C-shaped walking stick consists of a C- shaped handle. This functional walking stick offers proper grip which allows easy movement. This requires less effort than a C-shaped walking stick.

 

  1. Quad- walking stick: This Quad walking stick consists of four small arms/rectangular arms on the bottom of the stick to offer proper grip. The rectangular arm offers the necessary grip needed. Most of the quad walking sticks consist of rubber grips at the bottom to stabilize and prevent falls/slips.

 

Benefits of using walking sticks:

 

  • The primary goal of a walking stick is to provide the additional support.As it offers proper stability and balance to an individual.

  • It helps to burn calories,as the arm movements while using a walking stick act as a mini- exercise.

  • Walking sticks ensure proper posture while walking, without the need to bend or lean onto someone/something.

  • Walking sticks helps to prevent back pain,as it ensures proper posture.

Benefits of using a diabetic shoe:

  • Prevents the feet from injury, as wound healing is a tedious process when it comes to diabetes.?
  • The diabetic shoes are specially made with non-irritant material to prevent unwanted irritation in the feet.
  • The soft material of the diabetic shoes helps to prevent heel cracking and leg pain.
  • Diabetic shoes make the movement more easy as it is lightweight and offers the necessary grip.
  • Diabetes shoes offer an extra room for the toes and prevent the toes from being injured.

Author: Team 60Plus India

 

Keywords: Diabetes shoe, Walking stick, Seniors, support, self-confidence, diabetes patient.

 

tags: #Diabetes #diabetic #diabeticcare #diabetespatient #senior #seiorcitizen #elder #walkingstick #support #assistance