DB Wider Fit Shoes, a retailer dedicated to wider-fitting shoes is calling on people in their 60s and beyond to think more carefully about the shoes they wear each day, as statistics continue to show a worrying upward trend in falls among older people throughout the UK.
Data suggests that falls account for around one in four emergency ambulance call-outs involving people over 65, while hospital admissions for this age group increased by more than a quarter over the ten years leading up to 2020.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has reported that nearly a third of people aged 65 and over, and around half of those aged over 80, suffer a fall at least once a year. Amongst the over-65s, falls remain the single most common cause of death resulting from an injury.
Charles Denton for DB Wider Fit Shoes said: “Falls can have many different causes, from balance issues to ageing, but footwear is often overlooked as part of the conversation.”
He continued: “Poorly fitting shoes or footwear without proper support can affect stability and increase the risk of trips. Shoes that fit properly, with secure fastenings and good grip, can help people feel steadier and more confident on their feet, particularly those managing conditions such as arthritis or neuropathy.”
Ann, a woman in her 70s, has come forward to share her story after a fall serious enough to land her in hospital led her to completely reconsider the type of shoes she had been wearing.
Ann lives with Peripheral Neuropathy, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Peripheral Neuropathy can reduce feeling in the feet, while arthritis affects joints and stability. Together, these conditions can increase the risk of losing balance.
After a fall from her previous shoes, which left her in the hospital, Ann is now wearing comfortable shoes, which are making a difference.
“Put those three conditions together, and it doesn’t do your feet any good,” she said. After discussing her situation with her podiatrist, who suggested she try a wider-fitting, more supportive shoe, Ann decided it was time to change her footwear.
Since changing her footwear, Ann says she noticed a difference almost immediately. She is back to doing the things she enjoys most, including spending time in her garden and taking her dog for walks.
The spokesperson added: “Ann’s experience highlights the importance of supportive, well-fitting footwear, particularly for people managing conditions that affect balance or stability as they get older.”
