The humble walking stick strides into the future

Japanese designer Keiji Takeuchi has lived a lifetime wondering why the aesthetic design of walking sticks was often at odds with the stylistic flair of those using them.=

Then he decided to do something about it.

To add what he termed “a little glamour” to the everyday walking cane as part of an exhibition during last year’s Milan Design Week, Takeuchi gathered 18 different designers and challenged them to create a cane with “their future selves” in mind.

The results proved as diverse as the designers who produced them.

While some participants focussed their efforts on improved functionality, such as the engineer who produced a super light version from carbon fibre or the artist who created a version with an extra-wide base for ‘off roading’, others took a more fanciful approach. 

Opting for form over function, an Italian designer included a steam-bent version that featured a knot that can hold a newspaper as her offering.

Taking the concept one step further, a Copenhagen-based creative integrated a wicker basket into his cane for those times when his future self was out in the garden and required something in which he could collect fruits and vegetables.

While Takeuchi has shown there are a variety of ways to solve the issue of unsightly and impractical walking canes, there are some problems - such as scamming - that cannot be resolved as readily.

‘AI Grandma’ takes on scammers

Despite the sheer scale of scamming against older people, tech experts in the United Kingdom have given it their best effort. They have come up with a very modern solution to overcome the age-old issue of how to get back at those who prey on seniors and attempt to trick them into handing over money.

The concept is a custom-made generative artificial intelligence chatbot that has been produced with the sole purpose of trapping scammers into long and futile conversations in the hope they waste as much of the scammer’s time as possible.

Called Daisy, sometimes written as dAIsy, the ‘AI Grandma’ is purportedly indistinguishable from a human. Answering calls in real time, the AI Grandma takes on the persona of an elderly lady and interacts with the scammers by keeping the fraudsters on the phone as long as possible to consume their time.

Her modus operandi is to play on the stereotype about those aged 65 and over not being comfortable with technology. The scammers then become increasingly frustrated as they attempt to get her to enter a fake web address into her browser, or enter her personal information, only to find themselves on the receiving end of meandering conversations about everything from her cat ‘Fluffy’ to her passion for knitting.

Figures from the ACCC show that in 2024, over 62,000 older Australians were targeted by scammers, with more than $120 million stolen from their retirement savings. Losses for people over the age of 65 increased by 13.3% from 2023.

Just Better Care regularly posts cyber security tips to help keep you safe from scammers, including loads of practical advice from how to update your operating system, apps and software safely to how to check your devices for malware. 

Another great idea… in-home support

The good news is that there are plenty of smart ways older Australians can continue to live an independent life as they age. In-home and lifestyle support services can pick up the domestic chores that are starting to become too challenging. What’s more, staying engaged with your friends, family and community can be maintained with transport services provided by your local Support Worker.

Find out more about the many ways in which Just Better Care can support your independence by contacting your local Just Better Care office.