Walking Aids and Mobility for Older Adults in Mysuru

Matching the aid to the person and the place

Ask the doctor or physiotherapist about balance, strength, stamina, vision, pain and any one-sided weakness. Then think about where your parent actually walks: a lakeside loop, a garden, a market, a temple, the stairs at home, perhaps the steps on Chamundi Hill. 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.

Sticks and folding sticks for the city's gentle paths

On level, well-kept paths, a standard stick suits people who need a little extra balance.

• Height: handle at the wrist crease with the arm relaxed; see walking stick height fitting and how to choose a walking stick.
• Handle: curved or ergonomic, depending on comfort and arthritis; see walking stick handle types.
• Tip: a wide, ribbed rubber tip, checked often because leaf litter and damp paths are slippery; see walking stick rubber tips.
• Which hand: opposite the weaker leg.
• Folding stick: easy to carry on outings to the palace, temples and markets, and for car and bus journeys; see folding walking stick for travel.
• Seat stick: for rests on a lakeside loop or while waiting in a queue; see seat walking stick guide.
• Quad stick for one-sided weakness; see quad stick buying guide.

Rollators and frames

For people who tire or feel unsteady, a rollator with a seat and brakes works well on the city's level paths.

• Brakes and seat: learn them first; sit only when stopped and braked; see rollator buying guide and rollator brakes and seat safety.
• Wheels: larger wheels cope better with kerbs and uneven paving; see rollator on indian pavements.
• Crowds: near the palace, tourist crowds can be dense; keep to one side, go at quiet hours and use a companion.
• Frames: a walking frame suits short indoor distances and recovery; see walking frame buying guide, how to use a walking frame correctly and walking frame after hip or knee surgery.
• Comparison: see rollator vs walking frame.
• Not for stairs and not as a wheelchair.

Where to walk, by need

• Palace grounds and gardens: wide, level paths; a good place for a first outing and for building stamina. Crowds are heavier at weekends and festival times, so go early or on weekdays, and carry a seat stick or use the benches.
• Kukkarahalli Lake: a quiet lakeside path; a favourite of regular walkers; watch for damp and uneven spots near the water.
• Karanji Lake: a nature park with a butterfly garden; gentle, with seating; good for slow walks.
• Chamundi Hill road: a gentle climb with views; the road is easier than the steps. Walk it only if the doctor agrees, with rests, water, a good stick or seat stick and a companion; avoid it when wet or hot, and turn back when tired. The steps are for stronger walkers.
• Brindavan Gardens: terraced gardens for an outing; terraces mean steps and slopes, so use handrails, go with a companion and consider a transit wheelchair for the day; see travel with an elderly parent checklist.

Using a stick on slopes and steps

Hills and steps call for technique.

• Going up: the stronger leg first, then the weaker leg and the stick.
• Going down: the stick first, then the weaker leg, then the stronger leg.
• Handrails whenever possible.
• Rest at the top or bottom of each flight, and do not rush.
• In the wet, avoid steps and slopes or take extra care.

See using a walking stick on stairs and slopes and stairs, steps and thresholds.

Polished floors and steep steps at home

The city guide notes that older homes have steep steps and slippery tiles. For a person with a walking aid, the house can be harder than the park.

• Non-slip surfaces: anti-slip tape or coating on steps and slippery tiles; see anti-slip tape and coatings and flooring, rugs and trip hazards.
• Handrails on every flight, at the entrance and at any step inside; see handrails and stair lifts.
• Aid tips and feet that grip polished floors; change worn ones.
• Footwear: closed shoes or non-slip socks indoors; avoid smooth soles on polished tiles.
• A second aid upstairs, so that nothing needs to be carried on stairs.
• A portable ramp where a rollator crosses a threshold; see portable ramps for thresholds.
• A path from bed to bathroom that is clear, lit and, if the bathroom is far, supported with rails or a commode at night; see night-time toilet trips and falls.

Seasonal notes

• Spring (March to May): warm days, comfortable evenings. Walk morning or evening, carry water and wear a hat; see heat stroke and dehydration in seniors.
• Monsoon (June to October): light to moderate rain; wet leaves and steps are slippery. Use fresh tips, shoes with grip and skip walks when wet; see exercise in summer and monsoon indoors.
• Winter (November to February): cool mornings; warm up first, wear layers and build stamina; see walking programme for older adults and cold weather warmth, hot packs and layers.

Wheelchairs and transit chairs

A transit wheelchair is light and folds for a car, helpful for palace visits, gardens and hospital trips; see transit wheelchair vs standard wheelchair. A standard wheelchair suits longer sitting, with a measured seat and cushion; see wheelchair buying guide india, wheelchair seat width and measurements and cushions for wheelchair users. Helpers should learn kerbs and ramps; see pushing a wheelchair safely and wheelchair and car travel. Protect skin on long sitting; see pressure care in a wheelchair.

Footwear

Closed shoes with a firm heel, a flat grippy sole and fastenings the person can manage; avoid loose slippers on polished floors or wet paths; see choosing shoes for older feet and walking aids and footwear. For diabetes, inspect feet daily; see diabetic foot care at home.

Strength, balance and confidence

Aids work best with exercise: chair exercises, balance practice and regular walks, as the physiotherapist guides; see chair exercises for seniors, balance exercises for seniors and 14 best exercises for seniors for strength, flexibility and balance. A calm city can lead to a quiet life, and inactivity weakens muscles; keep a routine of daily walks and social outings.

Care of aids and review

Check aids monthly: tips, wheels, brakes, folding catches, screws and grips; replace worn parts; wipe dry after rain. Review the aid with the physiotherapist after any fall, illness or change; see when to move from stick to walker and falls risk assessment at home.

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.