THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023 Page 15 ~ THINKING OUT LOUD ~ Sober Shelters To Luxury Townhouses By Sal Giarratani How to Choose and Use a Walking Cane Dear Savvy Senior, I have some hip and back problems and could use a walking cane to help me get around. Is there anything I should know about canes before I buy one? Limping Linda Dear Linda, When it comes to choosing a cane, most people don’t give it much thought, but they should. Walking canes come in many diff erent styles, shapes and sizes today, so you need to take into account your needs and preferences to ensure you choose one that’s appropriate for you. Here are some tips that can help. Types of Canes The fi rst thing you need to consider is how much support you need. That will help you determine the kind of cane you choose. The three basic types of canes you’ll have to choose from include: 1. Straight canes: These are basic, single point canes that typically incorporate a rounded “crook” handle or “L-shaped” ergonomic handle. Usually made of lightweight aluminum or wood, most of the aluminum models are adjustable in height and some even fold up. 2. Offset-handle canes: These also are single point straight canes but come with a swan neck curve in the upper part of the shaft that puts the user’s weight directly over the cane tip for added stability. These canes are typically aluminum, adjustable-height and come with a fl at, soft grip handle that’s easy on the hands. Some straight canes and off - set-handle canes also come with triple or quad tipped bases that can add gripping support and allow the cane to stand up on its own when you let go, which is very convenient. Both straight and off set-handle canes are best suited for people with a slight walking impairment. 3. Quad canes: These work best for people who need maximum weight bearing and support. Quad canes come with four separate tips at the base, they usually have an off set fl at handle, and can stand up on its own. Fitting the Cane Once you decide on the type of cane, you need to make sure it has the weight capacity to support you, and it fi ts your height. To do this, stand up with your arms hanging straight down at your side. The top of the cane should line up with the crease in your wrist, so your arm is slightly bent at the elbow when you grip the cane. The cane should also have a rubber tip at the bottom to prevent slipping. A worn or torn rubber tip is dangerous, so check the tip frequently to ensure it’s in good condition and replace it when necessary. The grip is also very important, so choose one that’s ergonomically designed, or one that has a molded rubber or foam grip that’s comfortable to hold on to. And if you travel much, consider getting a folding cane that can be packed or stored away easily. How to Use When using a cane, it should always be held in the hand opposite of the leg that needs support. For example, if your knee pain is on your left side, you should use the cane in your right hand. The cane should then move forward as you step forward with the bad leg. If you have to go upstairs, you should lead with the good leg. And when you go downstairs, you should put your cane on the step fi rst and then step down with your bad leg. The Mayo Clinic off ers a slide show at MayoClinic.com/health/ canes/HA00064 that will show you how to choose and use a cane. It’s also a smart idea to work with a physical therapist. Where to Buy You can buy canes at drugstores, discount retailers, medical supply stores and online, usually between $10 and $50. You’ll also be happy to know that Medicare covers canes with a written prescription from a physician. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. I found both good news and bad news in the recent news going on over in the Arcadia Street neighborhood. Several months back the City Council Chambers were crowded with folks from the Arcadia Street area fi ghting a planned 24-bed shelter to meet the needs of homeless folks. No one at that time was against such a sober house, but neighbors were just upset that their dead-end street would be negatively impacted by the plans for the lot at 84 Arcadia. The developers took that proposal off the table, and the neighborhood declared a victory for themselves. They fought back against the very idea of a sober house being pushed down their unwilling throats. The politicians in the city stood up, too, and backed this neighborhood battle. In the end, developers apparently decided they knew when to hold and when to fold. Now they are back and the new idea is five luxury townhouses. Neighborhood folks seem okay with this new proposal. I can say as an East Boston resident right next door to Revere, the endless development of more and more high-end luxury housing comes with many negatives, too. The City of Revere like my East Boston neighborhood has seen endless luxury housing, whether condos or rentals, which in the end only exacerbates the search by working class folk for a place to live that is aff ordable. Not many places out there, are there? Affordable housing trusts can only really work if there are enough parcels of land to build such housing. The priority right now in Greater Boston is to keep a diversifi ed housing stock. Developers are in business to make a product that is profi table for them, but it would be nice if developers also created more housing opportunities for working-class families, too. I still want to again salute the folks over on Arcadia Street who ARCADIA | SEE Page 17
16 Publizr Home