Best Shoes For Elderly with Balance Problems
As we age, the leg, like other parts of the body is prone to various adverse health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, vascular disease, and so on. At least one out of three people above the age of 65 are believed to suffer from aching feet and other similar health conditions. As a result, the elderly need special walking shoes designed to be more comfortable and to alleviate pain. There are specially designed shoes for elderly with balance problems. In this article, we will go over the major factors to consider in choosing these shoes as well as a review of some of the best shoes for the elderly that you can buy.
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1. Propet Women’s Tour Walker Strap Sneaker
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The Propet Women’s Tour Strap Sneaker is a comfortable casual shoe designed to help you feel great with every step. This shoe has a padded inner lining and a cushioned EVA midsole which helps to keep you at ease when you walk. This shoe’s herringbone tread rubber outsole also gives the shoe excellent traction. The upper part of this shoe is perforated. This ensures breathability. The velcro strap design ensures that the shoe is always the perfect fit for you. The velcro strap design also makes this one of the best shoes for seniors with balance problems since they don’t have to bend down to retie shoelaces every time.
2. Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe
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This is one of the most flexible and lightweight walking shoes you will find around. It is has a breathable mesh upper and a synthetic sole. The inner part of this shoe is lined with soft fabric and the collar is padded for extra comfort while working. The Skechers GOwalk Joy offers the most comfortable walking experience thanks to its responsive 5Gen cushioning. This, combined with the Goga Max high rebound insole delivers balance while walking without stressing the feet.
3. Clarks Women’s CloudSteppers Sillian Paz Slip-On Loafer
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The Clarks SIllian Paz loafer has everything you need in shoes for elderly with balance problems to prevent falls. It as a 100% textile top, a soft fabric lining made with high-density foam, and a shock-absorbing outsole designed to prevent slips and maintain balance. This shoe is also lightweight which makes it an easy-wear for any activity. It also has an ortholite footbed that is removable and soft for extra cushioning.
4. Womens Diabetic Walking Shoes Adjustable Outdoor Sneakers Recovery Easy On Off Strap
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This sneaker is designed for women of all ages and varying lifestyles. However, it is most suited for the elderly and comes highly recommended by doctors. Thanks to the shoe orthotic insole, it can provide anatomical arch support and cushioning for the foot as you walk or stand -ensuring balance. It also has a non-slip sole that helps to keep the elderly from falling. This loafer also features adjustable velcro fastening which makes it easy to put on and off and can be easily adjusted to the wearer’s leg width.
5. New Balance Women’s 411 V2 Hook and Loop Walking Shoe
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This shoe has an attractive athletic design that is bound to look nice on the foot. But more than its attractive design, it is also one of the most comfortable pair of shoes you will find around. It has a cushioned midsole and a heel pillow inserts which keeps the feet comfortable all day. Hook and Loop Closure System makes the shoe easy to slip on and the velcro closure makes it easy to adjust the shoes for a perfect fit.
6. Skechers Performance Men’s Go Walk 3 Slip-On Walking Shoe
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The Skechers Performance Go Walk shoe for men has a radically lightweight design thanks to a woven textile top and a lightweight man-made outsole. This shoe is built for comfort and is designed to be one of the shoes for elderly with balance problems. This shoe has a pull-on construction that makes it quite easy to wear. It features a cushioned textile lining as well as a patented cushioned Goga Mat which further boosts comfortability and offers a great walking experience with this shoe.
7. New Balance Men’s 577 V1 Hook and Loop Walking Shoe
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If you are looking for a comfy 100% leather shoes for the elderly, this shoe is one of your best bets. This shoe has a full leather top and a durable rubber sole. You will love this shoe’s custom-fit design. It uses a collar and tongue instead of laces which makes it much more convenient especially for the elderly. The shoe also has a polyurethane midsole which makes provides extra cushioning and stability.
8. Propét Men’s M5015 Scandia Strap Slip-On
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This is one of the most attractive shoes on our list of shoes for elderly with balance problems. The Propet Scandia M5015 is a nicely textured leather shoe perfect to help you pull off an impressive casual look. But not only does this shoe look good, but it is also highly comfortable and stable. It has an extra-wide toe box which gives your toes plenty of room to wiggle around. This shoe is also easy to slip on and off thanks to a wide hook-and-loop strap design.
9. Hush Puppies Men’s Gil
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The Hush Puppies Men’s Gil is a highly fashionable shoe for men of all generations. It comes in a wide range of colors and is designed to match various looks. It is a full-grain leather show and it has a durable rubber outsole designed to absorbs impact, relieve pressure, and provides balance when you walk or stand. The outsole is also built with lightweight material designed to keep the feet at ease and super comfortable at all times.
10. Dr. Comfort Men’s William-X Double Depth Black Diabetic Casual Shoes
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This is a sleek shoe to help pull off a casual look. It also offers extra depth which makes the shoes quite comfortable and offers support to your feet. The double depth design makes this shoe one of the best shoes for elderly with balance problems. It accommodates the extra volume that may be required by people with internal braces, severe edema, AFOs, and other related conditions. This shoe has a protective tox box design which provides extra protection for your toe against stubbing.
Buying Guide For Best Shoes For Elderly With Balance Problems
To get the best shoes for seniors with balance problems, some of the factor to look out for include:
Non-slip sole: Shoes for seniors need to have slip-resistant soles. Since seniors are less stable and more prone to slipping, they won’t do well in shoes that are too flexible. Shoes with sturdy non-slip soles are more recommended.
High-back: Seniors will find deeper high-back shoes more comfortable and sturdier as it provides extra support for the ankle.
Size: Sizing is one of the most important considerations in picking shoes for the elderly with balance problems. Hence, you have to ensure that you check the size chart before you make a purchase. Loosely fitting shoes will slip and slip on the senior’s foot and may lead to loss of balance or fall. Similarly, if the shoes are too tight, it will lead to foot pain.
Stability: The need to choose stable shoes for seniors cannot be overemphasized. Go for flat or low heel shoes against high heeled types that are generally less-stable
Wide mouth: Many elderly suffer from toenail issues. Hence, shoes with wider opening are more recommended since they tend to be more comfortable thanks to the extra room.
No laces: A senior will have a hard time bending down to tie shoelaces. Hence, shoes with velcro are better suited for them.
Easy to maintain: Choose shoes that are easy to maintain. Breathable and washable shoes are more likely to last longer. You can also look out for shoes with antibacterial and antifungal properties
Excellent arch support: Shoes that have excellent arch support can help the elderly with balance and prevents fatigue. Having good arch support makes the shoe rigid enough, yet provides enough flexibility to allow natural movement.
Wait until the afternoon to buy shoes: If you intend to go shoe shopping, it is recommended that you do so in the afternoon. Your feet tend to expand during the day. Hence, you are likely to get a better fit when you try shoes on in the afternoon.
Walk around to make sure the show fits and feels comfortable: Unless you are shopping online, it is recommended that you try on shoes and walk around in them to see if it is comfortable before you make a purchase.
FAQ
Why Do Elderly Need Special Walking Shoes?
As they age, seniors experience physiological changes in their body which can make them susceptible to foot problems like arthritis, diabetics, bunions, toenail issues, heel pain, and so on. Due to this delicate nature of a senior’s foot, buying shoes that are specially designed with these needs in mind is important. The elderly need special shoes to maintain balance, protect the muscles of the leg from deteriorating, and to cope with pain.
Conclusion
These are some of the best shoes for seniors with balance problems and other health issues. Every shoe on this list has been designed with the elderly in mind. However, our top pick based on the factors discussed above is the New Balance Women’s 411 V2 for women shoes while the Propét Men’s M5015 Scandia Strap Slip-On is our top pick for men.
