Patient/caregiver was educated on safety precautions to be observed while using a cane as follows:
- Make sure the carpet in the house is evenly spread and secured. Uneven carpet with bumpy contour can obstruct the cane leg, impair balance, and contribute to increased fall risk.
- Make sure you perform timely inspection on the cane or have it inspected, as recommended, to ensure the device is in proper functional state. If the cane is wobbly or you notice the structure broken, have the cane repaired or replaced. Using a broken cane or one with unstable leg can result in serious falls and accidents.
- Firm grip on the cane handle is important to prevent the device slipping out of control and contributing to a fall. Using a cane with ribbed handles can help enhance the grip. Individuals with inflammation in the small joints of the hands have limited range of motion in the fingers contributing to poor grip. Cane with large handles, padded or foam handles can offer better grip for such individuals. Handles too big for your grip also can contribute to poor grip and enhance fall risk. Make sure the cane handles are of appropriate size for you. This is also one reason for you not to share your cane, as the size of grips can vary between individuals.
- Make sure that the rubber tips at the end of cane leg are not worn out. These caps are slip resistant, offer improved grip on surfaces, and prevent the cane from slipping away, especially while on smoother surfaces. Worn out rubber tips disturb the even placement of the cane leg on the ground, impair balance, and offer poor grip on the surfaces, which can increase fall risk for users. Replace the rubber tip at the end of cane leg periodically, as recommended.
- Maintain the floor dry. Wipe any spillage immediately. Any wetness of the floor can contribute to slipping, loss of balance, and fall injury.
