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Welcome back to our Winder-area assisted living and memory care blog where we lovingly share our professional advice and offer our heartfelt support to all you home-based caregivers. Today, let’s talk about shoes. With apology in advance, we’re not going to discuss the latest in senior shoe fashion. We’re going to cover a much more important subject, shoe safety.

Balance in all aspects of life is a good thing. We work hard but make time for fun, love our children while setting boundaries, and eat healthy to enjoy a sundae on Friday night. But mental equilibrium isn't the only kind of balance that's important in life. Good physical balance can help seniors avoid the debilitating and potentially life-threatening complications of a fall.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent study calculated that annually, over two million fall injuries sent seniors to emergency rooms and over 600,000 required hospitalizations.

Reducing the fall risk of our senior loved ones must be a top health priority. Fall risk management is a core tenant of Gateway Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care in Winder, GA, but fall risk management needs to be an active component of your home health care service to your senior loved ones.

When seeking shoes for your senior loved ones, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Put shoes to the test - Press on both sides of the heel area to ensure the heel is stiff and won't collapse. Bend the shoe to check for toe flexibility. The shoe shouldn't bend too much in the toe box area, but it shouldn't be too stiff and inflexible either. Twist the shoe. It shouldn't twist in the middle.


• Have feet professionally measured every time you shoe shop. Natural aging and health changes can cause the size of your feet to change. Measure both feet - late in the day - and shop for the larger foot.


• Bring Your Socks! Bring the type of socks you plan to wear with the shoes and walk around the store in the shoes before you purchase them.


• If you don't feel comfortable or steady in the store, don't buy them. Shoes should feel comfortable and supportive right away. If they don't feel good right away, breaking them in won't improve things.


• See a Podiatrist. If you have specific health challenges or foot issues, talk to a podiatrist about the best footwear for your needs. If your podiatrist has prescribed orthotics - bio-mechanical inserts that go into your shoes, take them with you when you shop and try them out in the shoes you're considering.

Choosing safe shoes for your assisted living or memory care loved one is just one of the countless considerations and challenges that you face daily. Please know this. If caring for your senior loved one at home starts to feel overwhelming, know that you are not alone. Call us! Sometimes just sharing your questions and concerns with a trusted voice of experience….is all you need in that moment.