Wardrobe · 30 min
Shoes that fit the feet you have now
Feet change with age, pregnancy and illness. Have them measured, and choose shoes for the feet you have today.
Most people buy the same shoe size for decades, but feet can grow longer and wider over the years, and swell during the day. Shoes that pinch, slip or rub cause pain and can make falls more likely. Good-fitting shoes can still look good.
The steps
Four small steps,in your own time.
Go shoe shopping in the afternoon, when feet are at their largest, wearing the socks you usually wear.
Ask to have both feet measured for length and width. Fit shoes to the larger foot.
Look for a thumb's width of space beyond the longest toe, a firm heel that does not slip, a non-slip sole, and a fastening such as a strap or laces that holds the foot.
Walk around the shop for a few minutes. The shoe should be comfortable straight away; do not rely on it stretching.
The reason
Why it helps
Shoes that fit well support the foot, reduce rubbing and blisters, and help with balance. Slippers and loose backless shoes are a common factor in falls, especially for older people. Checking size now and then avoids years of squeezing into a size that no longer fits.
A gentle variation
If going to a shop is hard, measure your feet at home by standing on paper and drawing around them, then compare with sizing guides, and buy from somewhere with easy returns. Indoors, choose slippers with a back and a firm sole.
WE · TRIBE
Try itwith someone.
Go shoe shopping with someone, or take the person you care for. Check their shoes and slippers at home too: worn soles, broken backs and floppy slippers are easy to miss.
Try it today
This week, check your everyday shoes and slippers for fit and wear, and if they are tight or loose, plan an afternoon to have your feet measured.
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