Footwear for older feet
It is very important to find footwear that is not only comfortable, but easy to put on and safe to walk in. It is always best to try on your footwear in the afternoons to make sure you buy them large enough to allow for some normal swelling.
It is very important to give your feet support and stability to enable safe and pain free movement.
There are a variety of companies that specialize in footwear for older people with disabilities but there are also a number of high street stores and online companies that also make good shoes. There also a number of aids that help putting footwear on and off to allow independence.
Choosing shoes
Choosing the right shoe and the right size is very important so make sure there is 1cm between your longest toe and the end of your shoe, that you can wriggle your toes, that they are wide enough so they do not rub anywhere and finally that you can tighten them sufficiently that your heel does not slip around inside the shoe.
The sole of the shoe should ideally be rubber to provide plenty of cushioning for the foot and prevent slipping.
The fastenings should be good enough to secure your foot in the shoe and a type that you are able to do up yourself. If you have a problem putting them on there are various types of shoehorn including a long handled one. There are also a variety of elastic laces that you can get or you may prefer the Velco style fastenings.
Ideally you should chose a shoe with a removable inner sole so that if you need or have orthotics they can be easily fitted in place of the inner sole.
Slip on shoes are not so suitable for any form of orthotics.
As far as the choice of fabric this depends whether they are for indoors or outdoors and whether you tend to have cold feet or sweaty feet. Natural fabrics tend to breathe better and so prevent fungal infections.
If you tend to have cold feet allow enough space in your shoes to wear 2 pairs of socks.
Slippers
These are often worn around the house all day as they are so comfortable. It is important to check that they fit well as badly fitting slippers can be a regular cause of falls. Check them regularly to make sure they have not stretched or that the Velcro straps work correctly.
Ideally a comfortable proper well fitting shoe is safer and better to wear around the home.
Sandals
It is best to choose styles that have adjustable straps or buckles, especially if your feet are prone to swelling.
Beware of wearing sandals if you have diabetes as your feet are more vulnerable to damage. Try to buy sandals that protect your toes as well as possible.
Shoes for specific conditions see below
Bunions
Look for shoe with styles that relieve the pressure on your toes and inner side of your foot. Try to avoid styles which raise your heel above your toes in order to take off the pressure on your toe joints. Choose either soft leather or soft textile uppers with as few seams as possible to prevent rubbing.
Diabetes
People with diabetes need to look after their feet very carefully. Diabetes UK have some online information about how to look after your feet and good footwear. It is particularly important to have comfortable shoes that do not rub anywhere.
Arthritis in the feet
Choose extra thick spongy soled shoes with plenty of support
If you need to find a podiatrist, make sure they are registered with the Health Professions Council and are a member of either:
Socks and Stockings
Support tights and stockings may help by providing venous support and can be bought from high street stores. The store will often help advice you on the size to provide you with the correct pressure.
Compression stockings are often prescribed after surgery or other causes of poor circulation in the legs. Normally you will be measured up for these in the hospital before surgery.
These stocking can be very hard to remove and reapply. You may need to discuss having an aid to put them on with the Occupational Therapist.
There are a variety of sock aids to help you put on normal socks and the sock aid frame can be used to put on compression stockings. Hand strength is required to load the stocking on to the frame. If you wear the toeless stockings, you can get a stocking slider which helps to slide the stocking on smoothly past the toes and heel but you will need to reach down to your feet.
Flexible stocking/sock aid
The flexible version is cone shaped and made of plastic, fabric-covered plastic or just fabric. It has two tapes/ribbons at the top. It is sometimes called a gutter sock aid.
With the aid held on the knee, the sock is gathered onto the sock aid which keep the sock open along its whole length. The aid is then lowered onto the floor, whilst holding on to the tapes. The toes of the foot are placed into the open end of the sock and the ribbons pulled to pull the sock up the lower leg.
The fabric, or fabric-covered type, are recommended to anyone who has delicate skin.
A double version of this aid can be used for tights. These are rather tricky to manipulate and require a lot of practice especially if there is a high lycra content in the tights.
People with poor grip or shoulder function may find pulling the tights up over the hip difficult. Pulling up with hands crossed over the body reduces the amount of shoulder movement required.
Rigid stocking/sock aid
The rigid version consists of a plastic semi-circle which pivots on the end of a long handle. As with the flexible sock aid, the sock is fed onto the aid which keeps it open. The toes of the foot are then placed into the open end of the sock and the aid used to pull the sock up the lower leg.
Sock aid frames
These are rigid wire frames which hold the sock open whilst the foot is placed into the sock. The frames usually has handles at the side which are used to pull the frame and thereby the sock up the leg.
Suggestions for shoes
Cosyfeet
Chums
Ecco
Hotter
Clarks
EasyB shoes on Amazon
Hush Puppies Gil.
Skechers Go Walk 4 Kindle.
Schuh
widerfitshoes.co.uk
Bunion Friendly Shoe Suggestions
- Gabor 63.700.46. Lanzarote. The high coverage over the big toe joint area, with smooth linings, help to reduce friction or ‘rubbing’ of the upper on toe joint. …
- Clarks 1283-74D. Un Loop. …
- Remonte R3427-90. Liviola. …
- Legero 00595-80. Tino Gor-Tex. …
- ECCO 218523-01375. Soft 5 Sandal.
- widerfitshoes.co.uk