Walking Aids and Mobility for Older Adults in Coimbatore

Start with the person, then the place

Ask the doctor or physiotherapist about balance, strength, stamina, pain, vision and any one-sided weakness. Think about where your parent actually walks: a flat track, a park loop, quiet roads, a market, a temple or the stairs at home. Also think about how far, how often, and whether they need to rest. For an overview, see stick or walker: which one does my parent need and how to choose the right wheelchair or mobility aid for seniors.

Standard sticks and offset handles

The weather and flat tracks suit a standard stick for people who need a little balance.

• Offset handle: a handle set slightly forward of the shaft spreads the load over the palm and keeps the stick in line with the body, which suits many people with arthritis; see walking stick handle types.
• Height: the handle should be at the wrist crease when the arm hangs relaxed; see walking stick height fitting and how to choose a walking stick.
• Tip: a wide ribbed rubber tip; replace when worn; see walking stick rubber tips.
• Which hand: opposite the weaker leg.
• Folding stick: useful for trips, temples, markets and for keeping in a bag; see folding walking stick for travel.
• Wrist strap: useful for those with weak grip, as advised.
• Torch stick: helps on evening walks; see walking stick with torch night use.

A stick that is the wrong height is worse than none; have it checked.

Rollators for those who tire

A four-wheeled rollator with a seat and brakes suits people who tire on a track or lakeside loop.

• Brakes and seat: learn to apply and lock the brakes; sit only when stopped and braked; see rollator brakes and seat safety and rollator buying guide.
• Fit: handles at wrist height, standing upright inside the frame, not leaning on it.
• Wheels: larger wheels cope better with kerbs and uneven paving; see rollator on indian pavements.
• Not for stairs, and not as a transport chair.
• Comparison: see rollator vs walking frame.
• Indoors: check door widths and turning space; remove loose rugs.

Seat sticks for rests

For people who tire quickly, a seat stick that opens into a small seat can turn a long walk into a series of short stages. It suits park and lakeside loops where benches are far apart, and it can be carried folded. It is not a replacement for a proper chair, and the seat should be used on level ground with the person seated steadily; see seat walking stick guide. Check weight limits and test the seat in the shop.

Quad sticks and frames

For one-sided weakness, a quad stick offers a wider base; see quad stick buying guide. For short indoor distances and recovery, a walking frame offers the most stability; see walking frame buying guide and how to use a walking frame correctly. After hip or knee surgery, follow the surgeon's and therapist's instructions; see walking frame after hip or knee surgery.

Walking routes and their demands

• Race Course Road track: flat and well used; early morning is cooler and busier; watch for other walkers and cyclists, and keep to one side with a rollator.
• VOC Park and university grounds: shaded paths with benches; good for building stamina. Watch for roots and leaf litter after rain.
• Kurichi and Valankulam lakes: lakeside loops with birdlife; ground can be uneven or damp near the water, so wear shoes with grip.
• Perur and Siruvani roads: quiet and green, but farther from help and sometimes without proper pavements; walk with a companion.
• Cool evenings: warm up first, wear layers and carry a light shawl.
• Rainy days (October to December): skip outdoor walks when paths are wet, and exercise indoors; see chair exercises for seniors and balance exercises for seniors.
• Dusty days and building work: pick routes away from construction and traffic; see indoor air quality for older lungs for people with breathing trouble.

Hills and winding roads

The nearby hills are a pleasure, but gradients and winding roads can tire an older person and bring dizziness or breathlessness.

• Ask the doctor whether your parent is fit for a hill trip, especially with heart, lung or balance problems.
• Choose an aid with grip: a stick with a good tip, a seat stick for rests; a rollator is poor on steep or rough paths.
• Use handrails and walk slowly; on slopes go up with the stronger leg and down with the weaker, with the stick; see using a walking stick on stairs and slopes.
• Plan stops, carry water and medicines and keep trips short.
• Travel sickness: winding roads can cause nausea in some people; ask the doctor, and sit in the front with the window open.
• Wheelchair on hills: a helper must control the chair on slopes with brakes ready; see pushing a wheelchair safely.

Footwear

Good shoes matter more than gadgets. Choose closed shoes with a firm heel, a flat grippy sole and fastenings the person can manage. Avoid loose slippers and worn soles. Dry shoes in the rainy months; see choosing shoes for older feet and walking aids and footwear. For people with diabetes, check feet daily; see diabetic foot care at home. For heel or foot pain, ask about insoles; see insoles for foot pain.

Stairs, thresholds and homes

Whether the home is a house with a garden or an apartment, the places where an aid is used change. Fit handrails on stairs; mark step edges; add a portable ramp over a threshold for a rollator; keep a second aid on the upper floor; see handrails and stair lifts, stairs, steps and thresholds and portable ramps for thresholds. In apartments, check that the lift works during power cuts; see lifts and apartment living for seniors.

Wheelchairs and transit chairs

A transit wheelchair is light, folds for the car and helps on outings and hospital visits. A standard wheelchair suits longer sitting, with a measured seat and a cushion; see transit wheelchair vs standard wheelchair, wheelchair buying guide india, wheelchair seat width and measurements and cushions for wheelchair users. Helpers should be trained; see pushing a wheelchair safely and wheelchair and car travel.

Hearing and vision on the move

Poor hearing or vision raises fall risk outdoors, because a person may not hear a vehicle or see a kerb. Check hearing and eyes; see hearing and vision checkup schedule and caring for a parent with hearing loss. Walk with a companion on busier roads, and wear light or reflective clothes at dusk.

Maintain and review

Look at aids monthly: tips, wheels, brakes, folding catches, screws and grips; replace worn parts; wipe dry after rain. Review with the physiotherapist after any fall or illness, or when needs change; see when to move from stick to walker and falls risk assessment at home. Keep active; strength and balance exercises make any aid safer; see 14 best exercises for seniors for strength, flexibility and balance.

When to ask a professional

Ask a physiotherapist to assess and fit. An occupational therapist can assess the home. The doctor should review dizziness, vision, medicines and pain. For senior citizens' information and support, Elderline 14567 is a helpline; check current availability. After a fall with head injury or suspected fracture, call 112.