Foot pain is a leading cause of mobility issues in older adults. What leads to foot pain? It can be an ingrown toenail, arthritis, stretched or torn tendons and ligaments, and shoes that don’t fit. Your mom complains about having sore feet. Stop and look to see if her shoes are to blame.
How do you make sure your mom wears shoes that fit correctly and support her as she walk? Use these four tips to ensure she gets the right fit.
Have Their Feet Measured
Get your mom’s feet measured by a professional. Don’t do this first thing in the morning. Wait for the end of the day when she’s been on her feet. That’s when her feet are at their largest. Take that measurement and add about half an inch from the longest toe. That’s the shoe size to shop for.
Don’t be surprised if one foot is larger than the other. If so, purchase shoes that fit the larger foot. You don’t want her to force the larger foot into a shoe that’s clearly too small.
Choose Shoes That Fit the Shape of Your Foot
Your mom’s foot tends to be wide with toes that spread out. Shoes that have a pointed toe will hurt her feet. If she needs to choose men’s shoes with more room for the toes, make sure she knows it’s perfectly fine to head to the men’s section.
Aim for Materials That Have Give
Leather and materials that are pliable will mold themselves to the shape of your foot. That prevents irritation and allows the air to flow around the foot, which can help prevent the foot from sweating excessively.
Try Shoes On
While a shoe maybe your mom’s size, sizing isn’t always standard. Whether she orders online or in a store, she needs to try them on. It can be easier to return if she buys online from a store that has local franchises. Some online shoe sellers make returns simple to manage. If she purchases from this type of retailer, she can confidently return shoes for a larger or smaller size.
One thing to consider is setting up regular appointments with a foot specialist. If your mom deals with foot pain, checks from the podiatrist are important. A podiatrist can address painful issues like ingrown toenails, blisters, and cracked heels.
Transportation may worry you and your mom. If she wants to see a podiatrist and can no longer drive, caregivers from a senior care agency can help. Call a senior care agency to schedule services.
