Tools for Living Well Toolkit - Canadian Association of Occupational ...

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Appendix TWO - Other Resources That You Might Find Useful
Poster for
Measuring Canes
This poster was developed
by the Tools for Living Well
program as an easy display for
measuring the correct length
of cares and illustrating correct
cane use. The poster pictured
here is available on a cost
recovery basis by contacting
CAOT at 1-800-434-2268, or
through the otworks.ca website.
Tools for Living Well
Inches
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WALKING WITH A CANE
• Always hold the cane on your
strongest side.
• Always move the cane and the
opposite leg together.
• Replace worn rubber tips.
• Attach an ice pick during the winter.
weaker leg
1. Stand with your back facing the poster, arms at your sides.
WALKING UP STAIRS
1. Take the first step up with the
stronger leg.
2. Move the cane to the same step.
3. Move the weaker leg to the
same step.
WALKING DOWN STAIRS
1. Take the first step down with the
cane and the weaker leg.
2. Lower the stronger leg
to that same step.
2. Bend your hands upwards towards the ceiling, palms facing the floor. If you have trouble
bending your wrists, use your wrist watch as a guideline and take the measurement from
the centre of the watch face.
3. Your cane should measure the distance from the floor to where your hand bends at your
wrist or to the centre of the face on your watch. Ex. The person demonstrated on this poster
should have a cane that measures 39 inches long.
Note: You should take the reading from the hand that is on the side of your stronger leg (the
hand that you will hold your cane in).
Assistive Devices to Help Prevent Falls.
A joint venture between the University of Ottawa
and the Canadian Association of Occupational
Therapists (CAOT).
For more information please visit our website at
www.otworks.ca
Some information was adapted from Cherish
Your Independence, City of Ottawa,
Public Health Branch.
Funding provided by Health Canada/Veterans
Affairs Canada Falls Prevention Initiative.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily
represent the official policies of
Health Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, the
University of Ottawa and the Canadian
Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
The information in this bochure is current as of
2004.
TO MEASURE YOUR CANE
Hang 24 inches from the floor
Not medical advice: The information in this
pamphlet is intended for educational purposes
only. It is not and should not be taken as advice
or treatment from a doctor or health care
professional. Never disregard professional
medical or health care advice or delay in
seeking it because of something you have
read in this pamphlet.
Inches
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