9+ Best Shoes For Elderly With Balance Problems | Unrivaled Guide 2022

Older adults, especially those over 65, tend to fall more easily as they get older. Statistics show that one in four older adults falls each year, and 800,000 are hospitalized.

If a person has already fallen, the risk of falling again doubles, especially for the elderly. Falls can lead to hip fractures, head and brain injuries, and broken bones.

One of the main causes of falls is difficulty walking and balance problems due to faulty footwear and foot pain. Inappropriate footwear for the elderly includes lace-ups, high-heeled shoes, slippers, and shoes with loose soles.

To avoid foot pain, it is essential to find shoes that fit the foot and are comfortable. Shoes with non-slip soles, and sturdy and supportive soles are essential. You may also consider custom-made shoes or orthotics, including removable insoles.

To maintain your balance and avoid dangerous falls, we wrote this article with all the information you need to choose and buy the right pair of senior shoes for any balance issues.

Health problems faced by seniors cause changes in the physiological aspects of the body, which in turn cause changes in the feet, leading to wear and tear on joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Best Shoes For Elderly With Balance Problems

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How To Choose The Best Shoes For Elderly With Balance Problems | Unrivaled Guide 2022

• Fit And Comfort

  People of all ages often wear ill-fitting shoes for a variety of reasons, which can increase the risk of falls. Shoes that do not fit properly can restrict the foot and affect balance and gait. While it may be difficult to give them away, older shoes can wear out or become ill-fitting and no longer fit the needs of older adults.

  It is important to choose shoes that fit properly, not too loose or too tight. Adjustable shoelaces or Velcro straps are available as options to improve fit. If insoles are used, do not restrict the space left in the shoe too much. Wide shoes can provide more space and comfort, especially for those with swollen feet.

  Do not buy shoes that do not yet fit and expect them to fit over time. If they become uncomfortable quickly, they are not the right shoes to buy. If they are uncomfortable, they can cause fluctuations in balance and gait, which can lead to falls, as well as unnecessary pain and blisters. Take the time to quickly find shoes that are comfortable for standing and walking.

• Non-Slip Soles

  Choose shoes for the elderly with good quality soles that are non-slip when walking. A good sole should stick to the ground whether it is wet or dry. If the soles no longer do their job, the shoes should be replaced before slips and falls occur.

  If wearing shoes inside the house is not desirable, consider non-slip socks that grip indoor floors well. Bombas are one of many types of non-slip socks. They are made with PVC grips to prevent slipping on hard floors. Many other brands also offer non-slip features.

• Custom-Made Shoes

  To find the right shoes for you, you can have an expert take your measurements and purchase the correct size. You may be surprised to find that your foot size changes due to changes in health or age, requiring a completely different size than before.

  People with health problems may need to have shoes made according to their podiatrist’s instructions. Some people may be prescribed orthotics to be worn with the shoes. When purchasing shoes, you should bring these with you to ensure that your new shoes will fit.

• Width

It is important that shoes for seniors have wide openings for easy on and off, and that they are not too tight, which can interfere with blood flow to the feet and aggravate existing foot conditions. Good padding and cushioning of the collar are essential for the care of the Achilles tendon.

• Lightweight

It is important to be lightweight so that the ankles, calves, and knees are comfortable and not stressed when moving. This will also give you the confidence to move with ease.

• Traction.

Traction and grip on dry surfaces, especially wet surfaces, are essential. Senior shoes with flexible, non-slip soles can do this. Special grooves and treads in the right places to remove grass, mud, and water are features you want to have in your sole grip to prevent slipping.

• Velcro Straps

Velcro straps are made of hook and loop fasteners and make it easier to put on and take off shoes without having to bend over to tie the laces or worry about them coming undone and tripping. They are easy to adjust to secure the shoe to the foot and are ideal for achieving the correct fit.

• Sturdiness And Support

  Ideal shoes for the elderly should have a low heel to maximize contact with the ground and stability when walking. Heels that are more than one inch off the ground increase the risk of ankle-twisting and falls.

  Shoe material should be flexible and constructed to hold its shape. Taller shoes are important to support the heel and ankle. Shoes with narrow soles or heels should be avoided, as they do not provide sufficient stability for safe walking. Shoe soles should also absorb shock and reduce the impact on the joints.

• Cushioning

It is important that the toe and arch provide full support for the foot. The toe box of the shoe should be wide enough for the toes to move to avoid corns and calluses and to accommodate the big toe.
If additional arch support is needed, there are many shoes with removable insoles that can be replaced with orthopedic or biomechanical Proprio insoles.

How To Use Shoes To Improve Balance

Here are some simple tips for improving balance by choosing the right shoes.

• Fit Is Important In Shoes For Older Adults.

Velcro or lace-up closures are ideal because they allow you to adjust and customize the fit for each foot. It is important to avoid shoes that are too wide, flip-flops, thin heels, high heels, and shoes that do not fit properly. These shoes can easily cause the elderly to lose their balance and fall.
Proper shoes maintain constant contact with the ground.
Proper shoes for balance should maintain full contact with the walking surface. Shoes should be flat or low and wide with a wide heel. In winter, non-slip soles should be added to the soles of shoes to prevent falls.

• Elderly Persons Should Always Wear Appropriate Shoes.

It is also important to remember that the elderly need to wear more than just socks in the house. Wearing appropriate shoes at all times will greatly help the elderly maintain good balance and avoid potential falls. If they do not want to wear full shoes at all times, they should choose a pair of safety slippers to walk in.

Also, choose shoes that are light and not too heavy so that the elderly can walk comfortably.

• Avoid High Heels, Flip-Flops, And Other Open Shoes.

High heels, slippery soles, flat shoes such as flip-flops, and shoes that do not fit well can cause the elderly to lose balance and fall. In addition, long, loose shoelaces are a common cause of many elderly people losing their balance and falling and injuring themselves.

FAQs

What are the best shoes for fall prevention?

Shoes for fall prevention should be slip-resistant and have a traction or grip outsole. Heavy, loose, stretched, narrow or high-heeled shoes should be avoided.

Should the elderly wear sandals?

Older adults should wear closed-back, non-slip, well-fitting shoes for support and protection. This means that sandals and other loose-fitting or backless shoes are not acceptable.

Are clogs bad for feet?

Clogs are one of the most damaging or injurious types of footwear to the wearer because of their design features. Such shoes can also cause foot pain and contribute to deformities and toe problems.

How do keep your feet healthy?

Here are some ways to keep your feet healthy, both for the elderly and for the general public

• Wash feet clean with soap and water daily.
• Be sure to dry between the toes.
• Don’t usually walk barefoot.
• Keep feet comfortable and dry at all times.
• If you wear socks, choose moisture absorbent socks and change them often if your feet are heavy.

Conclusion

The statistics on falls due to balance problems in the elderly are very worrisome, as the risk of this happening again is quite high and can lead to serious injury. The information above in our article and the best shoe brands presented here can certainly provide a solution to your balance problems and give you a world of confidence to move stably…