If your elderly family member has been experiencing problems with her mobility, her doctor might have recommended that she give a cane a try. That idea doesn’t always go over well, though, especially for aging adults who have a stubborn streak.
She Truly Believes She Doesn’t Need a Cane
In your head, you’re never really the age on your driver’s license, right? It’s the same for your senior. She may very well be in denial about the fact that a cane is going to help her to maintain her balance and stability. Even if she understands her physical limitations, for some people the idea of relying on a cane is just on the other side of acceptable.
She Doesn’t Really Know How to Use the Cane Properly
Lots of people think that they know how to use a cane, but they really don’t. And if your senior is in the category that doesn’t, she might be feeling awkward and in danger with her cane. A good first step is to work with her doctor or even with a physical therapist to get used to the cane. Once she has a handle on it, she might realize just how helpful her cane is.
She Worries She’ll Lose Independence
Independence is a big issue for a great many seniors. Your elderly family member may worry that by using a cane, she’s admitting that she’s helpless and that she is dependent on you and on others for help. But that’s not what a cane is all about. Having and using her cane properly can be the key to allowing your senior to be as independent as she wants to be.
She Believes the Cane Will Make Her Fall
If your senior is convinced that using her cane is going to make her fall, she might have witnessed people who aren’t using their canes properly doing so or she might worry that she’ll trip while using the cane. Used improperly, her cane may get in her way. But if your elderly family member is using her cane the right ways, she’s not going to be at a greater risk of falling. If anything, her cane can help her to avoid taking a fall.
Another option is to consider hiring elderly care providers. They can gently remind your senior to use her cane regularly and ensure that it’s right there waiting for her when she needs it most.
