Most people don't think much about their shoes when they're at home. They might kick off their work shoes at the door and pad around in socks, or slip on a pair of comfy slippers. But it turns out that what you put on your feet at home can be the difference between staying upright and ending up on the floor.
This is especially true for older adults. Falls are a big deal for seniors - they're a leading cause of injury and loss of independence. And a surprising number of these falls happen at home, often because of what people are (or aren't) wearing on their feet.
The interesting thing about footwear and falls is that it's an area where common sense often leads us astray. Take slippers, for example. They seem like the perfect at-home shoe - soft, comfortable, easy to slip on and off. But many slippers are actually fall hazards in disguise.
The problem with typical slippers is that they're too loose. They might feel cozy, but they don't provide any real support to your foot. Worse, they can catch on carpets or slide on smooth floors. That shuffling walk that people often adopt when wearing slippers? It's not just a funny way of moving - it's a sign that your brain is working overtime to keep you balanced.
On the other end of the spectrum, going barefoot might seem like the most natural option. After all, isn't that how we're meant to walk? But while barefoot walking can be great in some contexts, it's not always ideal at home. Hard floors can be slippery, especially for older adults who might have decreased sensation in their feet. And small obstacles that you might easily step over in shoes become much more dangerous when you're barefoot.
So what makes for good at-home footwear? It's not complicated, but it does require rethinking some common assumptions.
First, you want a shoe that stays on your foot. This means a closed heel, not a flip-flop or backless slipper. You also want some way to adjust the fit - laces, velcro, or even an elastic band can work. The goal is to have the shoe move with your foot, not independently of it.
Next, you need a sole with some grip. This doesn't mean a chunky, outdoorsy tread (which can actually increase trip risk on smooth floors). Instead, you want a flat sole with enough texture to provide traction on both carpets and hard surfaces.
The sole should also be thin enough that you can feel the floor through it. This might seem counterintuitive - don't we want cushioning? But feeling the floor helps your brain understand where your foot is in space, which is crucial for balance. There's a reason ballet dancers don't wear thick-soled shoes when they're practicing.
Support is another key factor. A good at-home shoe should cradle your heel and provide some arch support. This helps distribute your weight evenly across your foot, which improves stability.
But perhaps the most important feature of good at-home footwear is that it's comfortable enough that you'll actually wear it. The best fall-prevention shoe in the world is useless if it sits in the closet because it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.
This points to a broader principle in design: the best solution is often the one that people will actually use, not the one that's theoretically most effective. It's a principle that applies as much to software interfaces as it does to shoes.
There's an interesting parallel here with how we think about safety in digital spaces. In both cases - physical and digital - there's a tendency to focus on active threats (like viruses or wet floors) and overlook passive dangers (like poorly designed interfaces or unsupportive shoes).
This shoe issue also highlights the importance of paying attention to seemingly minor details. A quarter-inch difference in heel height can significantly affect your stability. A slightly looser fit can dramatically increase your fall risk. These small differences might not matter much when you're young, but they become crucial as you age.
It's a reminder that as we get older, our margin for error decreases. Things we could get away with when we were younger become risky. This is true in many areas of life, not just footwear.
There's also a lesson here about the value of specialized knowledge. Most people, if asked to design a safe shoe for older adults, would probably come up with something that looks like an orthopedic shoe - chunky, ugly, and screaming "I'm old!" But experts in this field know that the best shoes for preventing falls often look pretty normal. They just have subtle features that make them much safer.
This kind of non-obvious specialized knowledge is valuable in many fields. It's the kind of thing that's hard to replicate with AI or to learn from a book. It comes from years of experience and careful observation.
For now, if you're concerned about fall risk (for yourself or an older relative), it's worth talking to a podiatrist or a fall prevention specialist about proper footwear. It might seem like a small thing, but when it comes to preventing falls, every step counts.
And even if you're young and steady on your feet, pay attention to how you feel in different shoes. Are you more stable in some than others? Do you change how you walk depending on what's on your feet? Understanding these things now can help you make better choices as you age.
After all, we all want to stay on our feet as long as possible. And sometimes, the key to that is right under our noses - or in this case, under our feet.
As you consider making your home more accessible and comfortable for aging-in-place, remember that a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) can provide invaluable expertise. These professionals are trained to understand the unique needs of older adults and can help create safe, functional living spaces that promote independence. If you're looking to hire a CAPS professional in your area, don't hesitate to contact us for recommendations. We can connect you with experienced specialists who can turn your aging-in-place vision into reality. On the other hand, if you're inspired to become a CAPS professional yourself and join this rewarding field, we encourage you to explore the opportunity. Click here to learn more about the CAPS certification process, including upcoming training dates and requirements. Whether you're seeking assistance or looking to start a new career path, the world of CAPS has much to offer.
Fritzi Gros-Daillon MS, CSA, CAPS, UDCP, SHSS
Household Guardians, Owner
2019 NAHB Instructor of the Year
Published author of "Grace and Grit: Insights to Real Life Challenges of Aging"
Comments