It is important for elderly individuals to wear good footwear in order to reduce fall risk.
Many elderly individuals come to our clinic at Podiatry HQ due to inability to self treat. This could be reducing and clearing the nails or getting rid of nasty, painful corns.
One thing I see a lot is elderly people wearing slip on shoes or slippers with no support or no fastening to hold the foot in the shoe; whether that be laces, velcro or a buckle. This is a huge fall risk as the shoe is not held onto the foot and this can cause you to easily slip, fall or stumble. In some cases, the shoes are worn loose, or the back of the shoe is stepped on to help slip on the footwear, which increases the risk of falls incredibly.
What to look for in a shoe?
- Shoe that is not slippery
- Good fit
- Supportive shoe
- Shoes with a fastening – e.g. laces, velcro or buckle
- Wide enough fit – no narrow shoes or pointy shoes
- A firm heel counter
- Wide opening to allow your foot to get into the shoe comfortably
In addition, it is important to have happy and healthy feet, including the skin and nails. We offer aged care services at Podiatry HQ and can help you manage issues that you cannot treat for yourself.
If you need help with footwear, or have any pain/discomfort in your lower legs and feet, don’t hesitate to book an appointment to see one of our friendly podiatrists who will help you with all your needs.
This article was written by Alex, one of our skilled Podiatrists. To book in with Alex either give us a call or book online and select ‘Alexandra’ as your practitioner.
You can do this by calling on 8645 9800 or,
References:
https://myageingparent.com/health/medical/help-prevent-falls-with-the-right-footwear/
