Dr Nur Amalina Aziz said said walking sticks and other mobility aids play an important role in improving stability and reducing the risk of falls.
PETALING JAYA: Walking sticks should be viewed as a preventive aid rather than a last resort, a gerontologist said, emphasising that a simple mobility device could significantly reduce the risk of falls among aged Malaysians.
Universiti Teknologi Mara gerontologist and senior lecturer Dr Nur Amalina Aziz said falls remain one of the most overlooked threats to healthy ageing in Malaysia, with the National Health and Morbidity Survey showing that one in seven senior individuals (14.3% of respondents) experienced at least one fall in the past 12 months.
She added that even a single fall could have devastating consequences, including serious injury, loss of mobility and death.
“Fall-related trauma often leads to complex health conditions among old adults, with the burden expected to rise as the population ages. By 2050, an estimated six million hip fractures caused by falls are projected annually across Asia,” she told theSun.
Nur Amalina said the issue has become more pressing as Malaysians aged 60 and above now account for more than 11% of the population.
Citing the World Health Organisation, she said advancing age is one of the key risk factors for falls, with elderly adults facing the highest risk of severe injuries such as hip fractures and head trauma, which could be fatal.
“This is a worrying finding that calls for urgent attention from multiple stakeholders.
“These efforts should involve housing developers in incorporating safe and elderly-friendly housing design features, government bodies in strengthening supportive built environments and families in providing adequate care and support for their senior members to age safely and independently.”
She also said while Malaysia has taken positive steps to promote active and healthy ageing through initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, more needs to be done to prepare the country for a rapidly ageing population, calling for the prompt implementation of the Senior Citizens Bill.
Nur Amalina added that the legislation would better address the needs of the elderly by promoting age-friendly infrastructure, strengthening community and family support systems, and safeguarding their right to a good quality of life.
“If current attitudes towards mobility aids do not change, the incidence of falls among old people is likely to continue rising. The incidents often result in fall-related trauma that necessitates long-term and expensive care of elder patients.”
She also said old people who have fallen once are more likely to fall again, often with more severe consequences.
“Those affected may also experience reduced confidence and a fear of engaging in leisure activities such as walking, window shopping and socialising,” she said, adding that in some cases, seniors may lose the ability to carry out daily activities independently and experience reduced mobility.
She said walking sticks and other mobility aids play an important role in improving stability and reducing the risk of falls, particularly for those with complex health conditions or age-related mobility issues.
Nur Amalina said such aids are often viewed as temporary rather than complete solutions, but they could support recovery and rehabilitation, especially for seniors with conditions such as stroke or those recovering from injuries.
She added that in some cases, wheelchairs are also used to help restore mobility and independence during recovery.
“However, many old adults still resist using walking sticks even when they would benefit from them, often due to self-stigma and fear of being perceived as weak, disadvantaged or dependent.
“This perception needs to be reframed. A small support such as a walking stick could make a big difference in preventing falls.”
She also pointed to environmental barriers such as unsafe walkways and poorly maintained infrastructure, which further discourage the use of mobility aids.
