Hi, My dad keeps having falls at the moment. I didn’t appreciate the stick he was using had not been specifically recommended to him and based on his diagnosis but was just a basic walking pole. Are there any sticks you could recommend? He is 5ft 3in and in his 70s. Would a stick with a tripod base be a good idea?
Hi SMCCALL,
We noticed this was your first post and wanted to welcome you to our community forum. You should hear soon from our group with regard to walking sticks. We did find some options in our shop here: Search: 15 results found for "walking sticks" – Parkinson's shop if you’d like to have a look.
We also have a website at Parkinsons.org.uk and a free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303. Please feel welcome to make use of these tools, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the helpline if you have any questions or just need someone to listen.
With our warmest welcome,
Jason
Forum Moderator
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Hello SMCCALL, having seen a number of positive comments about this make from PD’s I have recently ordered a Leki pole. I will have 30 days to see how it works for me so I will feedback,
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Hello SMCCALL
May I sugggest you get some advice before spending money. If you do not have ready accesss to a physiotherapist most towns have a mobility shop and have staff available to disccuss your father’s needs and try a few different sticks - it might be he would be safer with a frame or rollator of some sort. If possible I would try and get him referred for assessment via your GP as then his needs can be fully assessed and he be given the correct aid on the NHS but I understand this may not happen very quickly and the delay not acceptable so a mobility shop may be a reasonable alternative. It is also worth following up jason’s advice and looking at the information and options on the Parkinson’s UK site before going to a shop just so you have some idea of what you will be looking at or ask to see something of interest. Finally you can do as Rabbit1 has done but make sure if is something you can return if not suitable so you don’t waste your money. If you do buy your own make sure you look at setting the height correctly - it is common to see people with wlaking sticks set too high and which carries risks for mobility in other ways such as causing back pain, poor posture etc. Hope this helps.
Tot
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Thanks Jason,
I will also encourage my dad to join the forum too. Have had a look at the walking sticks in the shop and will discuss with him his options.
Thanks, There is a mobility shop near where I work so I could pop in there with him.
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