What are the precautions when buying shoes for the elderly?

Many elderly people have the problem of leg and foot inconvenience, which is specifically manifested as foot pain, easy swelling, easy falling when walking, and so on. Studies have shown that approximately 71% to 87% of elderly people have various foot problems. As we age gradually, a series of structural and functional changes will occur in our feet. These changes will also directly affect how we choose healthy and comfortable shoes.

 

What kind of shoes should be suitable for the elderly?

1. Low heel casual sandals with a heel height of about 2.5cm and a non-slip groove design on the sole should be selected.

The elderly’s physical balance is deteriorated, the ankle mobility is reduced, the strength of the dorsal muscles of the ankle joint is weakened, and the pressure perception of the soles of the feet is reduced. These factors will increase the risk of falls when the elderly walks. Foreign researchers have found that inappropriate shoes are also one of the important reasons for falls in the elderly. And more than 70% of the elderly have the problem of inappropriate casual heels, which has become a major safety hazard in the lives of the elderly.

 

Casual flats that are too loose or too tight, the heels are too high or too low, or the soles are not non-slip, may cause the elderly to lose their balance and fall when walking. Therefore, when choosing shoes for the elderly, we should choose good casual shoes with suitable elasticity, a heel height of about 2.5cm and a non-slip groove design on the sole.

 

2. Try to choose hard-soled shoes.

Some elderly people like to wear traditional cloth shoes and feel that they are soft and easy to put on and take off. In fact, traditional cloth shoes do not have enough support in the arch of the foot, the heel is too low, and the sole often lacks non-slip design, which does not have enough protection for the ankle of the elderly.

 

Studies have shown that if the soles are too soft, it will also affect the perception of the road surface by the soles of the elderly and increase the risk of falling while walking. Wearing hard-soled shoes can significantly improve the balance and stability of walking for the elderly. Therefore, the elderly should wear hard-soled shoes as much as possible when choosing casual slip on shoes.

 

What are the precautions when buying shoes for the elderly ?

1. We should take the person to try when buying casual everyday shoes.

2. It is recommended to buy casual walking shoes in the afternoon. Due to the influence of body gravity, the feet of the elderly will swell more in the afternoon than in the morning.

3. Elderly people's foot perception ability declines. Even if they try them on in person, it is sometimes difficult to accurately judge whether the casual boots are suitable. Therefore, it is recommended to measure the width and length of their feet before buying shoes. Remember to leave a 1cm gap between the tip of the longest toe and the edge of the toe.

 

All in all, it is really not an easy task to buy shoes for the elderly. The shoes for elderdly on the market are mixed with good and bad. I hope this article can help you to choose the best casual shoes which really suit them!