Monday, December 9, 2013

If The Shoe Fits: Senior Citizen Attitude Towards Footwear

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States. Many of these individuals suffer moderate to severe injuries, including hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Experts say that many falls are due to preventable factors such as muscle weakness, improper footwear, and medications.
Many elderly people choose to walk around inside their homes, either barefoot, wearing socks without shoes, or wearing slippers.
Studies have found that nearly half of the participants who reported a fall were not wearing proper footwear at the time of their fall. These people also reported more serious injuries, including fractures, sprains, dislocations, and pulled or torn muscles, ligaments or tendon. Injuries from falls are the main cause of trauma that can lead to mortality among the elderly.
Footwear influences balance and one prevention strategy is to wear sturdy, properly fitted shoes.
When choosing proper footwear consider factors such as heel collar height, sole hardness, and tread and heel construction which can also influence gait and stability. Wearing improperly fitting shoes not only affects balance, but also cause pain, foot ulcers or blisters.
Shoes with low heels and firm slip-resistant soles should be worn both inside and outside the home as a way to prevent slips, falls and injury.
Side Note: Removing throw rugs and other obstacles in the home can also prevent falls, as well as installing handrails and night lights.
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