Anyone need a little steadying while walking?

[straightshooter1]

Sounds like most of you have figured out how to cope with what you've been given.

I haven't, yet. I find I can get a bit dizzy-only for a second or two, if I make a (for me) sharp turn.

And, if I bend over, I need to ensure there's a wall or some sort of support before starting my upwards launch (or lurch). Sometimes that lurch makes me grab something to make sure I don't keep going and fall backwards. So far, so good.

But, so far, I don't think I need a walker or cane. A little more deterioration, and I probably will change my mind.

 

[Robert L Wells]

To the original poster: Thanks for sharing about the trike. It looks good, and is available at lots of places online including Walmart.

I have two "stacked" problems: peripheral neuropathy and two impinged nerves in my back (L3 & L4). I had to give up riding motorcycles in 2011 and my manual shift car in 2012. Along with other problems (heart disease and ulcers) it became a grim decent into what looked like a debilitated old age.

But I refused to take delivery. The hospitalizations and rehabilitation cost me money despite Medicare and Blue Cross insurance, but I paid up. I now have home care. I have a four wheeled walker with a seat (and a quad cane). I can drive, and I can load the walker into the back seat of the car without trouble. I can lurch, not walk, and I need the walker for balance. It also acts like a mini-truck that lets me tote things.

Fortunately, I retired in 2008 at age 59; so I've had the pleasure of plenty of freedom before the reality of my misspent youth came crashing in. No regrets ... not a second. 2014 and 2016 were not good years, but I refused to surrender the joy that I always found in living. I made mistakes, including not quitting drinking, but I soldiered on.

2018 has been a great year (I quit drinking finally in 2017). I have self-published a book of poetry and essays that I have always wanted to complete. It is an honest meditation on life, the good and the bad, and what it means to overcome and rise above the strife. Just like what we're talking about here.

Am I "promoting" it here? Oh, you betcha! But it's a good thing. It's not meant to make me money. (It's cost me over $1000 to date, and the publisher will get most of the bucks from sales.) It's a gift from me to other people who want to overcome adversity. For example, I'll be donating copies to prisons. Search online for Enlightenment "Robert Lindsay Wells" -- the title followed by my full name in double quotes. It's everywhere online. Google books has the best "look inside."

Oh, I don't mention my gun collecting in the book ... or anything else that could be seen as politically charged. It's all about faith and spirituality -- the two truly strong forces in our lives.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

At 68 I seem to be one of the few healthy ones. I like a cane-preferably a crook top-when I walk, a walking stick for rougher terrain. Just feels good in the hand. And I have practiced some self defense techniques. They make a big difference on snowy and icy days.

 

[Robert L Wells]

Sounds like most of you have figured out how to cope with what you've been given.

I haven't, yet. I find I can get a bit dizzy-only for a second or two, if I make a (for me) sharp turn.

And, if I bend over, I need to ensure there's a wall or some sort of support before starting my upwards launch (or lurch). Sometimes that lurch makes me grab something to make sure I don't keep going and fall backwards. So far, so good.

But, so far, I don't think I need a walker or cane. A little more deterioration, and I probably will change my mind.

Get a diagnosis. Don't be guessing at what's going on! You can't stop the fall that you don't see coming. I've fallen multiple times here at the house, but always managed to crawl back to the couch. I never broke any bones, just a chair, some ornaments, and the toilet! The bathroom is now equipped. I don't take chances any more.

For quite a while I wouldn't go out and be seen with a walker, but I swallowed my vanity ... I'm old, I'm disabled (I get good parking spots) ... I am what I am, that's all what I am, as Popeye said. He was a wise man.

 

[kthom]

Is there any rule of thumb about how long my walking stick
should be? Does it have anything to do with my height?
I'm 6'3" (Or I was once. Probably shrunk a bit)

Phil,
To the best of my recollection, here is the best way to determine the correct OAL for your cane. Stand straight up, with your feet a few inches apart side by side. Let your arms hang straight down but relaxed. Have someone measure from the inside of your wrist/hand joint from the point where your wrist bends your hand inward to the floor/ground. This is done on a level spot, of course. That measurement would be the maximum OAL of your cane, from the highest point on the cane where the palm of your hand rests to bear your weight and including any rubber crutch/cane tip on the cane shaft. If your cane is too long or too short, it's a pain!

This will allow you to put enough weight on the cane to give good support while your arm is basically straight down without having to bend slightly down to make this happen. It will also be short enough to allow you to bear weight comfortably without having to do so with a bend in your elbow. Remember that you can always cut more off the cane length (especially wooden canes) but it's hard to add length back if you cut too short on the first cut!

I have used a cane off and on for several years, and I have found that they have much more value than just to give me support while walking or standing. A good sturdy cane is an excellent defensive tool, whether from two legged or four legged antagonists. It can be carried most anywhere without attracting suspicious attention. It can help to open or hold open a door. It can catch hold of items to move them closer to you if needed. About the only negative thing I've found is that one usually carries a cane in the strong hand, which is usually the same hand that might need to access a handgun carried on the strong side. There are two satisfactory work arounds for this. Learn to use your cane in your weak hand or learn to carry and deploy your EDC with your weak hand! I have found that if I am alert, I can switch my cane to my left hand if I have an inkling I might need my right hand for anything else in time for that not to be a problem.

I try to get out and walk often, and I have discouraged more than one aggressive dog with my cane. Normally just stopping in place and slightly raising the cane toward the dog and speaking clearly and firmly, "NO!" will stop the dog from advancing and convince it to move along, of course while keeping your eye on the dog! You never turn your back on an antagonist or predator until it is safe to do so. I'd much rather have my cane than any other weapon if I am required to be somewhere I cannot legally carry my EDC. A good sturdy cane is a comfort and it has far more utility beyond just giving support for walking or standing!

 

[Firesticks]

Is there any rule of thumb about how long my walking stick
should be? Does it have anything to do with my height?
I'm 6'3" (Or I was once. Probably shrunk a bit)

A walking stick should be at least just above the elbow and not more than mid bicep. This applies to where you place the grip. I like mine OAL to be mid bicep with a grip JUST below that. I also often top them with something so as to be used in self defense if needed. Antler burrs are excellent but have become expensive due to all the antler collectors out there. For a true walking/defense stick make sure it is a tough hardwood like Osage Orange or Black Locust etc.Pacific Yew is no longer legal to harvest.

 

[DocB]

I'm no expert, but once you hit 70 you definitely notice the difference. Put my foot in a hole way out back 3 months ago and went down. Concussion and all. Doctor said three months and likely much more to recover. I'm sitting here still feeling my right shoulder still in some pain. No cane yet, but 70 is really the birthday you notice.

 

[Frogwalking]

I have neuropathy which is slowly and inexorably getting worse. I don't know why, nor does my neurologist. We were exposed to Agent Orange in 1971, but I have also been exposed to many solvents and chemicals. I broke my back in a motorcycle wreck in 1985. (We won't mention the amount of beer and bourbon I drank in my younger days.) I had to sell my BMW R1150 RS 6 or 7 years ago. I had to stop two wheeled bicycles after a mountain bike wreck left me in the hospital for 4 days. I have an aluminum wheeled folding walker. I like the storage area under the seat as any kind of pistol will handily fit there. I ride a three wheeled recumbent to try to keep my legs from getting too weak. I guess getting old is a pia, but as far as we know it beats the alternatives. Oh, I shoot leaning afainst the tables at my local range.

 

[robvious]

I am odd man out... 51 years young with neuropathy from Radiation and Chemo... and it is not getting better... have had difficulty with balance along with it when turning and bending over... my grandfather's cane sits in the corner and I am doing what I can to keep it there as a decoration... but I know it might eventually be put to use... getting old is not for the weak

 

[shouldazagged]

After years of using a cane, I now use a four-wheeled walker with a seat. It makes a difference. I've only fallen once so far this calendar year. Last year it was six times. When I go into a hospital or for an MRI they just automatically put a "'fall risk" wrist band on me.

The walker I use is also helpful with my portable oxygen tanks. I can rest one on the seat while walking, and put it on the ground when i need to sit down. Used to carry the tank in a backpack, but I'm no longer able to do that.

 

[OLDSTER]

The "GOLDEN YEARS"

 

[shouldazagged]

The "GOLDEN YEARS"

"'Golden" something. "'Years" wouldn't be my word for them.

 

[GB]

As I get older, I find that I tip over more often and don't bounce as well as I used to. I was never graced with a great sense of balance but as I have aged I find that even when I know I am going to fall I do not possess the ability to move my legs fast enough to catch myself. Getting old ain't for sissies!