|
E-mail this page to a friend!
Do your shoes match
Aging Feet Get Longer, Wider, Flatter, Thinner
July 11, 2005 - If style is the main objective when
you select shoes, your feet may suffer, especially as you age. Over
time, your feet become wider and longer and the natural padding under
your heel and forefoot thins. Years of use also flatten your arches and
stiffen your feet and ankles. Aging boomers and senior citizens need to
match their shoes to these changes.
If you often wear shoes that are too short or too
narrow, you may develop foot deformities such as bunions, calluses or
corns, hammertoes or pinched nerves between your toes. Wearing
better-fitting shoes reduces your chances of developing deformities or
making them worse.
The July issue of Mayo Clinic Womens HealthSource
offers these tips when selecting shoes:
> Try on shoes
later in the day. Feet can swell as the day wears on.
> Fit shoes to
your largest foot. Your feet arent equally matched, so have both
measured.
> Make sure
theres at least a half-inch for your longest toe at the end of each
shoe when youre standing. You should be able to wiggle all toes.
> Make sure
your heel doesnt ride up and down when you walk.
> Leave
too-tight shoes behind. Theres no such thing as a break-in period.
> Look for
shoes that are solidly constructed, conform to your feet and have
cushioned soles that absorb the shock of hard surfaces.
> Try a lace-up
style. A shoe that ties can be adjusted for better comfort and support.
> Look for a natural material, such
as leather, on the upper portion of the shoes because its usually
softer and provides more flexibility than a man-made material.
If you have diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid
arthritis or other conditions that put you at risk of foot problems, ask
your doctor what other precautions are recommended.
More about Aging
Feet
By American Podiatric Medical Association
Whether due to neglect or abuse, the normal wear
and tear of the years causes changes in feet. As persons age, their feet
tend to spread, and lose the fatty pads that cushion the bottom of the
feet. Additional weight can affect the bone and ligament structure.
Older people, consequently, should have their feet measured for shoe
sizes more frequently, rather than presuming that their shoe sizes
remain constant. Dry skin and brittle nails are other conditions older
people commonly face. Finally, it's a fact that women, young and old,
have four times as many foot problems as men, and high heels are often
the culprits.
Observing preventive foot health care has many
benefits. Chief among them are that it can increase comfort, limit the
possibility of additional medical problems, reduce the chances of
hospitalization because of infection, and lessen requirements for other
institutional care.
Keep Them Walking
Studies show that care for a bedridden patient
costs much more than care for an ambulatory patient. In their private
practices and in foot clinics, podiatric physicians are providing
services designed to keep older people on their feet, and they serve in
hospitals and nursing homes across the country.
Records indicate that amputations and other forms
of surgery due to infections of the feet, many brought about by
diabetes, have been significantly reduced in recent years because of
early diagnosis and treatment. Further reduction in this area is a goal
of Healthy People 2010, a US Department of Health and Human Services
campaign endorsed by podiatric physicians, to encourage understanding
and application of preventive medical practices.
Foot Health Tips
-
Properly fitted shoes are essential; an
astonishing number of people wear shoes that don't fit right, and
cause serious foot problems.
-
A shoe with a firm sole and soft upper is best
for daily activities.
-
Shop for shoes in the afternoon; feet tend to
swell during the day.
-
Walking is the best exercise for your feet.
-
Pantyhose or stockings should be of the correct
size and preferably free of seams.
-
Do not wear constricting garters or tie your
stockings in knots.
-
Never cut corns and calluses with a razor,
pocket knife, or other such instrument; use over-the-counter foot
products only with the advice of a podiatrist.
-
Bathe your feet daily in lukewarm (not hot)
water, using a mild soap, preferably one containing moisturizers, or
use a moisturizer separately. Test the water temperature with your
hand.
-
Trim or file your toenails straight across.
-
Inspect your feet every day or have someone do
this for you. If you notice any redness, swelling, cracks in the
skin, or sores, consult your podiatrist.
-
Have your feet examined by a DPM at least twice
a year.
For more on aging feet by APMA
Click Here
Click to More Senior News on the
Front Page
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
