By Maurice
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Elderly people, especially those 65 years or older, tend to fall more than as they age. Statistics show that one out of four older people have a fall each year, resulting in 800,000 hospitalizations.
If you’ve already had a fall, what’s dangerous is that the chance of having a fall again doubles, especially for seniors. Falls result in hip fractures, traumatic brain or head injuries, and broken bones.
One of main causes of falling is poor footwear and foot pain causing difficulty in walking and balance. Poor footwear for seniors includes laces, high heels, droopy slippers, and sloppy-soled shoes.
To avoid foot pain, it’s crucial to look for shoes which fit well and offer complete comfort. It’s a necessity to have shoes which are sturdy and supportive with slip resistant soles. You could also consider custom shoes or custom orthotics, which include removable inserts.
What to Look for in Balance Shoes for the Elderly
To keep your balance and avoid dangerous falls, we’ve put this article together to provide you with all the information you require, to shortlist and purchase those perfect pair of shoes for seniors which will address all your balance problems.
Due to the health conditions that the elderly face with the onset of age, resulting in changes in physiological aspects of one’s body, there are changes in the feet as well, causing feet joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, to wear out.
The most important features that elderly shoes are a must have are; great traction and grip with slip resistant and softer soles, lightweight, and an adjustable fit, to take into consideration times when your feet may have swelling;
Width
Senior shoes must have a wide mouth to ensure ease of putting on and taking off, and also to ensure they are not too tight to prevent blood circulation in the feet, which may worsen an already existing foot ailment. Good collar cushioning and padding is a must to take care of the Achilles tendon.
Lightweight
They need to be lightweight for comfort and less exertion on your ankles, calves and knees when you move around. This will also give you the confidence to move around with ease.
Traction
Traction and grip on both dry and especially wet surfaces are a must. This is possible with senior shoes that feature slip resistant flexible soles. Grooves and tread specially designed in the right location to eliminate grass, mud or water is a good feature to have in the grip of the sole to prevent slipping or sliding.
Velcro Straps
Velcro straps come with a hook and loop strap which provides for the convenience of putting on and taking off shoes, without the hassle of having to bend down to tie laces or the fear of tripping over them if they come loose. They are a perfect feature to have to get the right fit, as they can be easily adjusted to secure the shoes on your feet.
Support
A lot of the shoes designed for seniors today come with special cushioning and beveled pads in the heels to prevent sliding, as this is a key area which causes pain resulting in inflammation, as the heel usually takes a lot of pressure since it is the first point to touch the ground when one walks.
Cushioning
Having all round support for your feet at the toes and arch area is important. The shoe toe box must be wide enough so that your toes can wiggle around to avoid corns or calluses, and also to accommodate bunions.
If additional arch support is required there are a number of shoes which provide for removable insoles which can be replaced with biomechanically designed orthotic or proprioceptive insoles.
Best Shoes for Elderly with Balance Problems
Considering the above features, we have put together a list below of the best shoes for the elderly women and men which provide solutions for balance problems;
Best Balance Shoes For Elderly Women
Best Balance Shoes For Elderly Men
Conclusion
The statistics on the elderly falling due to balance problems are quite alarming, as the chance of it happening again is quite high, which could result in serious injuries. The above information in our article and the shortlisted best brands of shoes mentioned here can certainly provide you with the solution to your balance problems and give you a world of confidence to stay stable and mobile.
Sources:
The Best Shoes for Elderly Fall Prevention
Important Facts about Falls | Home and Recreational Safety
New Balance® Shoes for Elderly
Shoes for Elderly with Balance Problems – Balance Shoes for Elderly
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