Patient/caregiver was educated on safety precautions to be observed while using an offset cane as follows:
- Offset canes can come with a convenient wrist strap. Having the wrist strap helps to keep the offset cane securely with you hanging at the wrist and yet use both hands to perform tasks. This reduces the chance of the device falling to the ground and posing difficulty for individuals with limitations and balance issues to bend down and pick it.
- While using the offset cane, plan ahead to change the directions slowly and by taking small steps. Look straight ahead while walking, to be prepared for and avoid the oncoming obstacles on your way. This can also help to be prepared and safely change directions, as needed. Being inattentive during ambulation with the offset cane and sudden change of directions can lead to the user colliding with the structures around, such as, corners and furniture, lose balance, and trip off resulting in a fall.
- While the offset cane is not in use, leave it close by within an arm distance reach and you should be able to grab your offset cane easily. Stretching too far to reach out to the offset cane could impair balance and contribute to enhancing fall risk. Also, make sure your offset cane is not blocking the traffic and contributing to fall risk for someone passing by.
