WEBVTT 00:00:01.469 --> 00:00:04.669 Here's a bold truth. The wrong pair of shoes 00:00:04.669 --> 00:00:07.669 can cause a fall just as quickly as a throw rug. 00:00:08.289 --> 00:00:10.890 Most people don't think about that, right? But 00:00:10.890 --> 00:00:13.650 footwear plays a huge role in balance, stability, 00:00:13.890 --> 00:00:17.089 and confidence with every step. Today I'm going 00:00:17.089 --> 00:00:19.690 to show you exactly what adaptive shoes are, 00:00:20.010 --> 00:00:22.829 why they prevent falls, and how to choose the 00:00:22.829 --> 00:00:25.949 best pair for yourself or someone you love. And 00:00:25.949 --> 00:00:28.809 trust me, these tips can literally save a trip 00:00:28.809 --> 00:00:32.670 to the ER. I'm Robin Schiltz, a certified dementia 00:00:32.670 --> 00:00:35.250 specialist, and I've spent years helping seniors 00:00:35.250 --> 00:00:38.609 and caregivers make safer choices at home. So 00:00:38.609 --> 00:00:41.990 you're in good hands here. Alrighty, let's jump 00:00:41.990 --> 00:00:45.409 in. You know, shoes seem like such a small thing. 00:00:45.490 --> 00:00:48.030 We slip them on, we head out the door, and barely 00:00:48.030 --> 00:00:50.469 think about them. But when you're older, the 00:00:50.469 --> 00:00:53.469 game changes. Every step takes a little more 00:00:53.469 --> 00:00:57.109 focus. Stability matters more than style. Although, 00:00:57.229 --> 00:01:00.479 hey, we can have both. So let's start with the 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:04.780 basics. What exactly are adaptive shoes? Adaptive 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:07.200 shoes are designed to support the needs of older 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:10.519 adults and people with mobility issues. They 00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:14.159 usually have features like non -slip soles, wider 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:17.780 openings, adjustable closures, and shock -absorbing 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:21.319 insoles. And here's what I love. The right pair 00:01:21.319 --> 00:01:24.719 can make walking feel safer instantly. There's 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:28.439 no learning curve, just support. Now let's talk 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:31.560 about why this matters so much. A lot of falls 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:34.459 actually start from the ground up. When a shoe 00:01:34.459 --> 00:01:37.680 is too loose, too tight, too heavy, too slippery, 00:01:38.140 --> 00:01:41.280 or even just worn out, your body starts working 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:44.599 extra hard to stay balanced. And that uses up 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:47.840 energy and attention that, honestly, most folks 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:50.700 don't realize they're spending. Here's what I 00:01:50.700 --> 00:01:53.840 mean. Maybe you've seen an older parent shuffle 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:57.359 in their shoes. Sometimes we assume that shuffling 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:00.599 is just from age, but many times it's actually 00:02:00.599 --> 00:02:03.340 the shoe. It's not fitting right, or it's weighing 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:05.900 down the foot, or it's tilting the ankle in the 00:02:05.900 --> 00:02:09.099 wrong direction. Well, good adaptive shoes can 00:02:09.099 --> 00:02:12.360 correct that. So let's go over the key features 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:14.960 you want to look for. These are the things that 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:19.879 truly help to prevent falls. First up, non -slip 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:24.300 outsoles. This is huge. Seniors often walk on 00:02:24.300 --> 00:02:27.719 tile, hardwood, or polished surfaces that can 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:32.319 get slick. A good outsole grabs the ground, doesn't 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:35.159 slide out from under you, and if the bottom of 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:38.840 the shoe is smooth or shiny, nope, then you need 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:42.580 to be replacing it. Secondly, you want to have 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:45.680 a wide stable base. Think of it like standing 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:48.520 on a solid platform instead of a balance beam. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:51.960 Shoes that are too narrow tilt the foot and strain 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:54.219 the ankle, which is one of the quickest ways 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:58.919 to lose balance. Next, adjustable closures like 00:02:58.919 --> 00:03:02.520 Velcro, zippers, and elastic laces. These are 00:03:02.520 --> 00:03:05.460 a big deal for folks with swollen feet or arthritis. 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:08.900 If a shoe can't adjust to daily changes in the 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:12.580 foot, it's just not going to be safe. A secure 00:03:12.580 --> 00:03:19.080 foot A secure fit keeps the foot from slipping 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:23.039 inside the shoe, which prevents tripping. Another 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:26.840 important feature is a firm heel counter. That's 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:29.099 the back part of the shoe that cups the heel. 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:32.240 When it's firm, it keeps the ankle upright instead 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:35.740 of rolling from side to side. So what that means 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:38.900 is better stability, better posture, and fewer 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:43.449 stumbles. And then there's the toe box. Seniors 00:03:43.449 --> 00:03:46.229 often have to deal with bunions and hammer toes 00:03:46.229 --> 00:03:50.090 or neuropathy. A wider toe box gives the toes 00:03:50.090 --> 00:03:53.090 room to spread naturally, which improves balance. 00:03:53.689 --> 00:03:56.409 It also reduces pain, and if you've ever tried 00:03:56.409 --> 00:03:59.409 to walk with sore feet, you know that pain alone 00:03:59.409 --> 00:04:03.550 can cause a misstep. Finally, you want lightweight 00:04:03.550 --> 00:04:06.750 construction. Heavy shoes might feel durable, 00:04:07.009 --> 00:04:09.840 but they make the foot drag. Dragging is how 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:13.740 you catch a toe on a rug or a threshold. Lightweight 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:16.560 shoes make lifting the foot easier and smoother. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:21.759 Now when people wear here, when people hear adaptive 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:24.120 shoes, they sometimes think they're going to 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:26.100 look like they're wearing hospital footwear. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:30.319 But honestly, that's old school. There are companies 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:33.300 today making adaptive shoes that look like everyday 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:36.980 sneakers. or stylish flats and even slip -ons. 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:41.199 They don't scream medical device. Seniors deserve 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:43.939 dignity and style, and the industry is finally 00:04:43.939 --> 00:04:47.800 catching up. So who benefits from adaptive shoes? 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:51.120 Well, let me run through a few everyday situations, 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:53.759 and you'll probably recognize someone you know. 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:58.120 If someone has diabetes, Supportive depth shoes 00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:00.939 help protect the feet from ulcers or pressure 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:04.120 points, which is essential for preventing infections. 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:08.860 If someone has arthritis, flexible uppers and 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:11.720 adjustable straps can make getting shoes on and 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:15.500 off so much easier. No bending, no fighting with 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:19.980 laces. On the other hand, if someone has Parkinson's 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:23.959 or a shuffling gait, maybe from neuropathy, A 00:05:23.959 --> 00:05:26.879 structured soul can encourage a cleaner, safer 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:30.759 step. And if someone has balance issues, the 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:34.420 traction and heel support are absolute game changers. 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:37.839 Here's something that's also often overlooked, 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:41.649 and that is indoor shoes. So many falls happen 00:05:41.649 --> 00:05:44.009 at home when someone's walking around in socks 00:05:44.009 --> 00:05:47.069 or soft slippers. You know what I mean, those 00:05:47.069 --> 00:05:49.730 floppy open back slippers that slide around with 00:05:49.730 --> 00:05:52.889 every step? Sure, they're comfy, but they are 00:05:52.889 --> 00:05:56.649 not safe. So I always recommend a dedicated pair 00:05:56.649 --> 00:06:00.149 of indoor adaptive shoes. They'll have clean 00:06:00.149 --> 00:06:03.110 soles, good support, and it's easy to keep them, 00:06:03.110 --> 00:06:05.790 take them on and off. They help the person stay 00:06:05.790 --> 00:06:09.709 grounded, literally, even inside the house. Now, 00:06:09.709 --> 00:06:12.310 if you're thinking, alrighty, Robin, this makes 00:06:12.310 --> 00:06:15.490 sense, but how do I pick the right pair? Here's 00:06:15.490 --> 00:06:19.550 a simple checklist. First, measure the feet, 00:06:19.910 --> 00:06:23.009 the length and the width. Feet change with age. 00:06:23.370 --> 00:06:26.810 Don't assume the same shoe size from 20 years 00:06:26.810 --> 00:06:29.990 ago. Second, check for swelling at different 00:06:29.990 --> 00:06:33.230 times of the day. If swelling changes, you'll 00:06:33.230 --> 00:06:36.730 need adjustable features on the shoes. Third, 00:06:37.149 --> 00:06:39.930 look at how the person walks. Do they shuffle? 00:06:40.350 --> 00:06:43.709 Do they drag one foot? Do they sway as they walk? 00:06:44.250 --> 00:06:46.550 That tells you what kind of soul and support 00:06:46.550 --> 00:06:50.129 they need. Four is look at the flooring in the 00:06:50.129 --> 00:06:55.709 home. Is it mostly wood, tile, carpet? That affects 00:06:55.709 --> 00:06:59.569 the type of traction you want. Five is try the 00:06:59.569 --> 00:07:02.449 shoe at home and watch the person walk in it. 00:07:02.689 --> 00:07:05.670 Do they look more stable? Do they look more confident? 00:07:06.350 --> 00:07:09.620 Trust what you're seeing. Number six is that 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:12.519 comfort matters. If it doesn't feel good, the 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:15.819 shoe is not going to get worn. And here's the 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.699 final thing I want to say, because I've seen 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:21.500 this happen so many times. Please, please, please 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:25.139 don't wait for a fall to make changes. We treat 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:27.300 shoes like an afterthought, but they're actually 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:31.100 one of the easiest and fastest ways to reduce 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:34.500 fall risk. A good pair of adaptive shoes can 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:37.439 help someone stay independent longer. can keep 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:40.060 them steady and give them back the confidence 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:42.379 they might not have even realized they lost. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:45.800 And really, isn't that the goal? Independence, 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:48.819 comfort, and peace of mind for everyone involved. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:52.579 So thank you for joining me today. If this episode 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:55.300 brought a little peace to your day, share it 00:07:55.300 --> 00:07:57.699 with someone you care about. Maybe someone who 00:07:57.699 --> 00:08:00.860 could use a reminder to pause and reflect. You'll 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:04.939 find more resources, I'm sorry, for seniors and 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:08.879 caregivers at seniorsafetyadvice .com. And come 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:11.600 back tomorrow for another daily moment of guidance 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:14.720 and encouragement right here on the Senior Safety 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:19.019 Advice Podcast. Until next time, take care. Bye.