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Best Shoes for Dementia Patients
Written by Joe Carney
about the author
7 minute readLast updated May 10, 2022
Shoes for dementia patients need to maximize safety and support limited mobility, since dementia can increase a senior’s fall risk and hinder their movements. Therefore, a dementia patient’s shoes should be supportive, comfortable, anti-slip, and easy to take on and off.
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How to pick shoes for dementia patients: Key features
Shoes can be crucial pieces of safety equipment for seniors with dementia. Studies have shown that wearing proper shoes in the home can lower the likelihood of falls. However, wearing unsupportive footwear, like slippers, may lead to a significantly increased fall risk among community-dwelling seniors, according to a systematic review from the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development. Certain shoe features can improve balance, safety, and joint health among seniors. These same features can also fulfill a variety of dementia patients’ footwear needs. Other features of an ideal shoe for dementia patients offer traction to each step to minimize slips and falls. Key features to look for when shoe shopping for dementia patients include: Shoes that are too long can increase tripping hazards from stubbing the toe of the shoe into floors, steps, or thresholds. Shoes that are too narrow limit surface area between the sole and the ground, and shoes that are too wide can allow the foot to swim loosely inside the shoe. Shoes that don’t fit offer less support and make balance more difficult. Talk to your loved one’s doctor or a podiatrist if you’re not sure how to fit shoes properly to your relative’s feet. They’ll also be able to tell you if adding orthotics would be best for the senior’s individual arch profile. Studies have shown that proper arch support can improve balance, decreasing senior dementia patients’ fall risk.
- Proper fit
- Good arch support
- Large foot hole openings
- Secure and easy-to-use fastening
- Anti-slip treads
- Beveled heels
- Comfortable heel height
- Room for orthotics, if needed
Dementia-friendly shoe design
Hook-and-loop or Velcro-style fastening will likely be easiest for dementia patients who are able to take their shoes on and off independently. Dementia can decrease fine motor skills, and using hook-and-loop straps generally requires less dexterity than using laces or zippers. However, zipper-lace designs can combine the ease of large zipper pulls with the support of one-time tying for customized tightness.The importance of a proper fit
It’s crucial that a senior’s shoes fit their foot’s length, width, and arch profile. Proper-fitting shoes for dementia patients can reduce their fall risk, add comfort, and reduce joint and back pain.Best shoes for seniors with dementia
Walking shoes are likely the best type of shoe for seniors with dementia. Their athletic-oriented design and comfortable yet supportive materials often fulfill safety needs better than sandals, slippers, or fashion-oriented designs. Since feet generally become wider and flatter with age, most options listed below offer wide and removable insoles to fit your loved one’s foot width, and they may offer room for a variety of orthotics if your relative needs extra arch support.
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The cost of some shoes for dementia patients may be reimbursed by Medicare. If your relative itemizes medical costs, be sure to keep receipts to submit for potential reimbursement. Now that you know what to look for when picking out shoes for your loved one with dementia, here are some top walking shoe options currently available on the market. Cost: £83.99 ($88.23) on the Friendly Shoes website Cost: As low as $64.95 on Amazon Cost: $50.20 on the Silverts website
Friendly Shoes – Voyage
Features:- Zipper-lace design
- Beveled heels
- Anti-slip treads
- Removable memory foam insoles
- Cushioned heel collars
New Balance 577 V1 Hook and Loop Walking Shoes
Features:- Hook-and-loop design
- Anti-slip treads
- Variety of shoe widths made for each size
- May be eligible for Medicare reimbursement
Silverts Wide Lightweight Walking Shoes
Features:- Hook-and-loop design
- Anti-slip treads
- Removable insoles
Silverts Extra Wide Shoes
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Features: Cost: $58.57 on the Silverts website Cost: $79.95 on Amazon
- Hook-and-loop design
- Anti-slip treads
- Space for orthotics
- Water-resistant uppers
Propét Stability X Strap Sneakers
Features:- Hook-and-loop design
- Beveled heels
- Anti-slip treads
- Removable insoles
- May be eligible for Medicare reimbursement
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References
Mulford, D., Taggart, H., Nivens, A., & Payrie, C. (2008, August). Arch supports for improving balance and reducing pain in older adults. Applied Nursing Research.
Gross, T., Mercer, V. S., & Lin, F. (2012, July 1). Effects of foot orthoses on balance in older adults. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
Jellema, A., Huysmans T., Hartholt, K., & van der Cammen, T. J.M. (2019, June 6). Shoe design for older adults: evidence from a systematic review on the elements of optimal footwear. Maturitas.
Menant, J. C., Steele, J. R., Menz, H. B., Munro, B. J., & Lord, S. R. (2008, November 8). Optimizing footwear for older people at risk of falls. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development.
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