Shoes for Elders: What to Look for When Buying a Pair

If you’re shopping for a loved one who’s getting on in years and they need new shoes, it may seem a little tricky to figure out what types of shoes to get. After all, your mom or dad may have different needs than you do when it comes to footwear. You may have an active lifestyle that requires a lot of movement. But you can’t necessarily assume that your parents do, too.

When it comes to buying shoes for elders, the best thing you can do is ask them what they want and need. That way, you’ll be sure to buy shoes that fit their needs.

Factors to Consider When Buying Shoes For Elders

1. Comfort:

Comfort is essential, especially in shoes. Some older people may need shoes that are more comfortable than their younger counterparts. If you’re buying a pair of shoes for eighty years old, they won’t be as active as they used to be, so they probably don’t need a lot of support in their muscles. So you don’t need to buy your daughter a pair of sneakers if they have weak ankles and feet.

For older people, it’s also important to buy shoes that won’t put too much pressure on their feet. Shoes that are too tight can cause discomfort in the feet and legs, while too loose shoes can make them challenging to walk in. For this reason, it’s essential to check out the soles of the shoes you’re buying. It would help if you started by looking at the heels first and see if they provide adequate traction.

If the heel is high and narrow, it may be too uncomfortable to wear for elderly feet for long periods. Look for a shoe that has a broader heel that will provide more support. Consider whether or not the bottom of your parents’ feet is flat, and look for shoes with thick heels that will help provide stability.

Also, check the soles of the shoes you’re buying. Some shoes, like sneakers, have soles that are made of hard rubber. It can make them uncomfortable to wear for long periods. When you’re looking at sneakers for older adults, look for those with thick but lightweight shoe soles made of foam or gel. These will be more comfortable to wear over more extended periods.

 Appearance:

Shoes can be a significant fashion statement for your parents. They may want a casual shoe design that fits in with the other things they wear or match any outfit they own.

When it comes to shoe designs, you want to consider how they will look. For this reason, you’ll want to buy a pair of versatile shoes that has a good appearance. It is essential if your parents don’t have any other shoes. If they do have other shoes, know that their feet change and may be too big for the ones they own now. So you’ll need to choose a new pair of shoes that your parent can wear and feel comfortable in.

There are also plenty of shoes available in a range of colors and designed to look more stylish. Unlike sneakers, these shoes aren’t meant to be worn every day. Instead, they can be worn for special occasions or to feel a little more fashionable or cool.

3. Size:

When buying shoes for elders, it’s essential to buy the correct shoe size. You want to make sure that it’s comfortable and fits their feet well, not a size smaller nor a size larger.

To measure a person’s foot size, you’ll need to find a piece of paper and trace around their entire foot. Once you’ve done this, compare the length of the form to the size of the shoe. If it’s a half size, round up. Otherwise, round down if necessary.

Another important thing that people often forget when buying shoes for a senior person is getting their feet measured by a professional from a shoe store. They’ll have a much better idea of what size to buy and how to fit the shoes correctly. You want to consider if you plan on buying your parents shoes they can wear for the rest of their lives.

4. Value:

Most older adults can’t afford to spend too much money on a pair of shoes, so you’ll want to make sure their budget is taken into account when you’re looking for a couple.

If you’re buying your elderly parents a pair of adaptive shoes designed for the gym or one of their other activities, you may want to look around for sales. You can also look for coupons from local shoe stores that will help cut down on the cost and land on supportive walking shoes at an affordable price.

5. Style:

As mentioned, many older people have a keen sense of style and want to dress fashionably. If you know that your parents are particular when it comes to the shoe models they wear, you’ll want to take their needs into account when you’re looking for a pair.

You may need to shop around and find shoes that look stylish and comfortable, and easy for them to put on and wear. If you want to buy your parents a pair of flexible shoes that they can wear every day, you may want to consider buying them some that are fashionable.

Older adults have different needs than younger people. If you’re looking for shoes for your elderly parents, you’ll need to take their personal needs and preferences into account. It includes their health conditions and the shoes they need to fit with how active they are. You also want to consider their feet’ size and how comfortable they are when wearing them for more extended periods.

Importance of Choosing the Perfect Shoes for Elders

It is always essential to have a pair of shoes that are right for your feet, and your feet are happy with. These days, marketing and brands make it even more critical. However, some people end up with shoes that are not good for their feet in some way. It can be the cause of many issues in the future like foot fatigue.

For example, ill-fitting footwear can cause you problems with one toe being a tighter fit than the others. Or you may have a problem with the heel of your shoe being worn down. Sometimes, you can change the toe of your shoe to make it more comfortable. But sometimes, it is harder to do so, and you need an expert to help you out. If you take your time when choosing a shoe and trying them on, you will be on the right track.

The elderly need to have a shoe that will fit properly. Shoes for the elderly come in a wide range. If you are looking for a dressy shoe or something comfortable, you can choose from numerous styles. You can also get a shoe with extra supportive features so that your daily activities will not be affected by your old age. Be sure to check out the shoe soles, as you want them to be sturdy and robust if the terrain is uneven.

Top 5 Best Shoes for Elders

1. Skechers Performance Men’s Go Walk 4

Among all the shoes for elder men, Go Walk 4 features an innovative 5Gen midsole design and an advanced nearly seamless one-piece mesh. This is specially engineered to naturally expand with your foot as you walk around. This pair of footwear provides a comfortable insole and great shock absorption at the same time. 

2. Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Kindle Slip-on Shoe

Its rubber sole makes it radically lightweight. This is good for safe walking around the park or around the neighborhood. A pair of these shoes for walking shoes for women will also be a good steal for elders who love to move around a lot. This is made up of innovative and highly responsive 5GEN midsole cushioning, resulting in both comfort and style satisfaction.

3. Hush Puppies Men Gil Slip-on Shoe

The large adjustable velcro straps of these shoes make them easy to be tightened or loosened as needed. Its classic design makes it look good for men of all generations. Its firm upper helps keep your ankle and foot from rolling. Apart from being lightweight, it also includes a removable insole and can be replaced with an orthotic insert if needed.

4. Orthofeet Joelle Women’s Walking Shoe

This ortho foot offers a great orthopedic shoe solution. Apart from its lightweight sole materials, this walking shoe for women is also designed ergonomically with superior cushions along with premium orthotic insoles that offer anatomical art support. This unique therapeutic design helps alleviate stress on the joints and improves the ease of walking for senior citizens.

5. Drew Dublin Men’s Sandals

The Dublin sandal perfectly brings you from one season to another. Its timeless suede breathable padding is designed with added depth for extra wiggle room. It also features a removable EVA and memory foam cushioned and footbed for more added support. This also accommodates prescribed orthotics.

It’s a common misconception that elders don’t have any need for fancy footwear. In fact, many elderly people are still active and want to adopt the same fashion sense as their younger counterparts. Shoes for seniors, however, are a bit different from shoes for teens or adults, because they have to be able to accommodate walking problems and other age-related medical conditions like simple foot pain.

It is up to you as an elderly companion to help your elders choose comfortable shoes for their sensitive feet. You would not want to ruin their physical activity with ill-fitting shoes. Should you have other shoes for elders to recommend, please let us know in the comment section below.