The risk of falling and fall-related problems increases significantly as people grow older. According to statistics, falling is the number one cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, and even injury deaths among older adults.

Falls are not, and should never be, an inevitable part of a senior’s life. It’s possible to help your seniors prevent accidental falling. Other than exercising to improve their balance or make adjustments to their house to get rid of falling hazards, investing in good footwear can also help to prevent, or at least reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. 

Here are some key points to keep in mind when you plan to purchase new footwear for your seniors:

• A good “safe” pair of shoes should have: a firm base, reasonable amount of cushioning, a non-slip (but not sticky) sole, and ankle support.
• Keep in mind that some seniors might experience instability wearing shoes with cushioning so if your senior doesn’t like the feeling of it, it’s best to avoid them completely
• Correct sizing is very important. Shoes and slippers that are loose or ill-fitting might even increase the chance of falling, or cause unwanted foot conditions like calluses & corns, which make walking more difficult & painful for the senior
• The soles is the most important part of the shoe that reduce fall risk, so stay clear from footwear with slippery or worn outer soles. Make sure that the soles are not too thick as it’ll be difficult to feel the ground which can cause falls on uneven ground.
• Shoes with smooth leather or plastic soles can be slippery on carpets, wood and tile floors, and wet surfaces. Thus, it’s better to avoid them.
• Refrain from wearing shoes with heavy rubber lugs that can catch on carpets, especially when your seniors barely pick up their feet when they walk
• Keep an eye on the rubber tips on the toes of running shoes as those can also cause a stumble on a carpeted surface
• Consider walking shoes for an all-around shoes as they can provide good traction and support but do not have heavy soles or rubber over the toes
• Shoes that tie are safer than shoes that slip on the feet, and those that have Velcro or laces are preferred as they hold the shoe to the foot, and can be adjusted to accommodate orthotics, braces, and swelling of the feet
• For those who lack dexterity (especially those who have arthritis), consider replacing cloth laces with elastic ones that hold the shoe firmly on the foot, but stretch enough to allow shoes to be slipped on and off without tying or untying the laces

It’s better to have your seniors at the site when you’re purchasing new footwear for them. The best time to shop for shoes is the afternoon as the feet tend to be the largest at that time and you can avoid buying shoes that are too tight. When trying on shoes, ask your seniors to walk around the store for 5-10 minutes to test the shoes’ fit. If there is any rubbing or slipping, or any red areas on your feet when your seniors take them off, it can be a sign of a poor fit.

Want more tips on how to reduce senior’s risk of falling? Need help with senior caregiving? Contact Home Instead Senior Care Outer East today to receive a free, no-obligation care consultation for you or your loved one.

Thanks for reading through this Blog, I hope you have found it useful. If you require any further assistance please feel free to contact the office.

Kind regards,

Suzanne McLoughlin
Owner of Home Instead Senior Care Outer East

P.S. We provide free Care Consultations and resource guides to support and guide families. Download your free copies from our Aged Care Resources page or Request a Free Information Pack to receive a hard copy.