Walking Shoes for Elderly Loved Ones
If your elderly loved one has expressed an interest in regular walking, or you are working a daily walk into your loved one’s elder homecare routine, it’s a great way to keep seniors healthy. Before you and your loved one hit the park trails, however, you must make sure they have a pair of good walking shoes. Although most people think that any shoe will suffice, for seniors, it’s important they have the right kind of shoe for this kind of exercise.
Homecare Bellevue WA – Walking Shoes for Elderly Loved Ones
What are Walking Shoes?
Walking shoes are specifically designed for exercising and provide a level of comfort and support that really benefit seniors that want to spend more time on their feet. Many different shoe brands produce walking shoes and similar items like running shoes, cross trainers and sneakers.
Walking shoes have sturdy construction with a flexible lightweight upper section and a molded plastic sole and heel with treads. Most walking shoes lace up but there are some with fasteners as well. Most brands come in an array of styles and colors, so seniors have a lot of choices when it comes to their new shoes.
What To Look For in a Walking Shoe
Walking shoes need to provide support and stability for your elderly loved one as they walk, but not every shoe can do the job. Even the wrong size of walking shoe can cause a lot of problems.
Here are just a few things to check off the list when buying walking shoes for your elderly loved one.
Support: Walking shoes should have a cushioned insole that helps relieve pressure on all the weight-bearing parts of the foot, like the heels, arches and balls of the foot.
Fit: Finding just the right size can be tricky, but the rule of thumb is that the toes should be able to wiggle within the toe box, but not so freely that the foot slides around. Their big toes should not be touching the inside tip of the shoes.
Size: Seniors may not wear the same shoe size they always have, due to changes in the body due to age. It’s always a good idea to have a store worker measure the foot to help point you in the right direction. Also the width of the foot is important to check, so that wider sizes may be found if needed.
Weight: Walking shoes should be lightweight, yet sturdy. If the shoes are too heavy, they can drag the foot down and make it easier for the elderly loved one to slip and fall.
Breathable: The fabric on the shoe’s upper part should be lightweight and flexible. It should also be made of a breathable material to keep the feet cool and prevent them from sweating.
Durable: There are plenty of cheaply-made shoes on the market, but it makes sense to invest in a pair of walking shoes that will be durable and well-made. Higher quality leads to better and longer performance when it comes to walking shoes.
Even though seniors may not be able to do some of the exercises they once did, many them can still gain health benefits from regular walks. The key to success for many elderly people when walking is to have good walking shoes that provide them with outstanding support and comfort so they can do so day after day.
Source: http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-2007/walking_shoes.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Bellevue WA, contact the caring staff at Hospitality Home Care today. Call us at (206) 966-6552.
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