Older feet grow: the untold secret.
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2024
- Here is a startling fact, 83% of older people are wearing the wrong size shoe, usually either too short or too narrow, Why?
Remember these, garment bags, I put this one away decades ago with a dark suit and dark shoes for weddings and funerals. But times have changed, the requirement of formality is gone, and these clothes have stayed here in a time warp.
When facing aging, I guess there are some known knowns. Your hair turns gray (unless you dye it like me), you skin loses elasticity, you develop wrinkles and sags (point to jowls), tendons become less elastic. We expect these things. But then I guess there are some known unknowns.
The issue of older feet growing is something I had never heard about until it happened to me. And I am not alone, the majority of older people’s feet have grown as well. But most of them do not know or do not want to acknowledge the issue, which is probably why the majority wear the wrong size shoe.
But when you think about it logically, it makes sense that older feet grow. The muscles and tendons in the foot loose elasticity, just like the skin on your arms and face. The feet spread wider and lengthen.
And this logical conclusion is born out by the medical research. This issue is well reported in the medical journals. I guess foot specialists and gerontologists know that older feet grow, I just wonder why they have not bothered to tell us?
In fact, all older adults have foot expansion. With age:
a. Less fat in heel, feel the rocks more
b. Arch falls, feet lengthen
c. Foot, especially the forefoot widens
d. Poorer shock absorption
e. Reduced ankle flexibility
f. Need for more padding on arch
g. Increased pronation (beveled shoe helps)
And, shoes are available that address all of these issues.
Now men probably do not have much issue with having larger feet, in fact, some may equate larger feet with having larger ... noses. But some women, on the other hand, have been raised with the impression that small feet are delicate and feminine. For them, having larger feet as they age may be challenging to admit. But, the issue is important. The shoes you wear are where the rubber meets the road, literally.
Falls are the leading cause of accidental injury and death among older people. Thirty percent of people over age 65 experience a fall every year. Improper fitting footwear contributes to the risk. Good footwear can help prevent falls. I encourage women to wear their clown shoes with pride, this is not an issue of fashion, it is an issue of safety and comfort
And there is a type of shoe that will likely fit an older person best. That is a shoe with a wide toe box-often now called “foot shape,” as well as generous arch support and adequate padding. There is a bit of debate if a maximal cushion shoe is best. Personally, I prefer a maximal cushion shoe, which is the currently the trendy style, but there are those that say a lower cushion is better, and for them, there are many options, like the Altra Lone Peak.
Also, shoe with higher sides provide additional support. Personally, I choose to wear low cut shoes around town for the convenience, but I hike exclusively in mid-cut shoes. Studies show mid-shoes are more protective for aging feet.
The knowledge that older feet grow and that there are shoes that are better designed to fit an aging foot has been valuable to me.
If you are still wearing a traditional shoe, I would encourage you first have your feet professionally measured, and then to try a pair foot-shaped, well-cushioned shoes. Manufacturers like Altra and Hoka have free shipping, free returns and a 30-day free trial. You can even order two pairs, one regular size, and one a half-size larger to see how they fit. Perhaps they will help you as much as they have helped me. The 30 day trial may be better than a walk around a shoe store, as it takes some time to adapt to the new style of shoe.
So, that’s it, the primary purpose of this video is to share the secret that older feet grow, and it is completely normal and expected. Also, to let you know the majority of older people currently wear the wrong size shoe, and you might want to ask yourself if that includes you.
I hope this information is as useful to you as it was to me, and let’s spread the word, so it is no longer a (secret that older feet grow, it is a normal part of the aging process.
You know, my feet have grown, but I never knew it was unexpected thing. Thanks for providing this information.
Happy to help!
Wow, i never new about feet growing as you get older, but it makes sense, i have noticed i sometimes need a size bigger, i just thought it was a manufacturing fault.
Thanks CG Hiker for your very educational video.
Paulo & Kathy GB. 👍💞👞🥾🙏🤗
It was a suprise to me as well. The phenomena is well documented in the medical literature, but not well communicated to those it effects. Thanks for your comment.
I have always noticed that older people seem to have their feet shived into a small sized shoe. It's important to always measure your feet as you age. Great points!
I never knew of the phenomena of older feet growing, if it is something we expect, I think we can deal with it more easily! Thanks for watching.
@@RationalTalk I honestly had no idea either. I appreciate the information. I can pass that on 😃
@@nationalparksprincess3216 I wish it were more commonly known, as falls are one of the biggest avoidable health risks for older people.
I see more and more people wearing those wide cushioned shoes, I think I'll give them a try myself. Thank you for the recommendation.
I think they make a lot more sense for aging feet, at least they have for me!
Your advice is well-taken. Afte hiking long steep downhill distances, specially off-trail ones, I used to suffer from severe toe jams. I solved the problem by ordering shoes half size bigger and using extra soles.
I am glad to hear that worked out for you. The extra room in a shoe really works out well for me as well. Thanks for your comment.
You are absolutely right, I have been wearing a size bigger shoe (European sizes) for almost a decade. Also, I feel comfortable only in sports shoes. When I go out somewhere where formal clothes are required, I usually get blisters on my feet.
All the more reason to wear clown shoes! : ) I think the nice thing about retirement is not having to dress-up anymore and being able to seek out the most comfortable attire! Thanks for your comment.
I learned this awhile back but blamed it all on the falling arches.All thru my late teens to 30’s I wore a 7-7.5. But, in 50’s I needed a little bigger & now 60’s need an 8.5.I have even gone up to 9’s in hiking shoes.
I just went through my shoes 2 wks ago because I needed a pair of water boots for a recent trip to flooding waters in Ruidoso, NM & none of mine fit comfortably even w/ thin socks. So, I boxed up 5 pr of boots for a new home & bought 1 new pair of cheap plastic rain boots at Academy for $30. Leaving me w/ only 1 pair of heavy bike boots that were my step sons.
My friend is gonna get nice leather boots. Harley Davidson, Keen & Fly. She hit gold. Maybe she’ll take me to lunch. 😂
I think the falling arches are probably part of it, but the changes in size are to be expected (except it was a suprise to me!). I have given away a bunch of nice shoes because the growth as well, but I still hold on to my first pair of real hikers, I guess for sentimental reasons!
Wow, the situation in Ruidoso was really a mess. I hope your visit there was productive and that people are recovering the best they can.
I think that rich friends shoud buy us lunch at every opportunity! Thanks for your comment and I hope your trip went well.
I think it makes sense that as you lose elasticity your feet could expand and change shape. Very interesting and a good reminder to get your feet measured once and a while.
I think the real changes for me started in my mid-50's, so hopefully for you this is just an issue of which to be aware. Thanks for watching!
Before I watched this video, I was skeptical. But after I watched it, then I realized you are right. I do have growing feet problems. I just never thought about it. This is really a wonderful video and thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Good job 👍
Thanks, I am glad the information was helpful!
Wow, I have never heard of such thing until I watched your video. Thank you for pointing it out for us. It's been very educational and interesting to me. Great job.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching. It was something I had never heard of before it happened to me!
I never really thought about it, but now that you mention it, my feet have grown some. A very informative video, thank you for covering the subject.
I think it is a good issue of which to be aware. Thanks for watching!
Thanks - another practical and useful video. My feet have grown from 10.5 to 12.5 over time which means buying 13's most of the time and that's fine. Sometimes there is a little too much volume over the top of foot in some 13's, which just means lacing over forefoot a bit snugger.
Another factor other than age which lets feet grow I think is that except when other shoes are needed for specific activities I wear Keen or other "bump-toe" sandals basically every day which lets feets spread and be the size they want. My feet certainly seem happier for having the extra space.
Thanks for recounting your experience with this issue. I think allowing feet room to expand results in them growing more, or at least that is my experience, but it sure is a much more comfortable way to go. Thanks for your comment.
Wow. I stopped online ordering because it never fits. Just realized it may be my feet getting bigger 😂 Thanks for sharing ❤👍
Statistically speaking, that is likely to be true. I think being aware of this issue will help people to develop strategies to deal with it. Thanks for watching!
From a 9 or 9.5 to 11 or 11.5. And damned if I can find a pair of shoes that fit. Altras are hard to find without for me driving 30 or 40 miles in bad traffic. My best options are an old pair of Crocs and a pair of Merrell minimalists both of which were actually too big when I bought them on sale. One saving grace is that the public where I live doesn't appear to give a S about style.
Altra has free shipping, free returns and a free 30 day trial, so they could ship them right to your house! Having good fitting shoes has sure made a difference for me. I think since covid, a pair of sweatpants and some flip-flops is about as dresses as anyone gets to go to the store! : )
💚 Wow, l never even thought about the possibility of feet growing as we age. I will be having my feet professionally measured this weekend. Thank you for educating us out here in internet land, & surely saving some of us from a future fall. ~08/01/24~ 🌴
Thanks for your kind comment, I would very much like it if more people understood this phenomena, instead of it being a surprise like it was for me!
좋은 말씀 많이 듣네요. 끝까지 들어볼게요
Thanks for watching!
Older feet grow alright...they grow tired and sore! lol Yup, have gone from a steady 8 to a size 9, and wide at that. Guess we all can add feet to the list of ears, nose, hair, and nails that all continue to grow!
LOL. The ear hair is something young people probably do not want to hear about. It is a good point that wide shoes help with the issue. The first time a shoe salesperson suggested wides, I was shocked, but now I buy them whenever they are available. Thanks for your comment.
I used to go to shoe stores to buy shoes, but now I order them online. They have never fit my feet properly😅
Shoes are hard to buy. Sizing them properly may help.
I also have noticed this but blamed it on the manufacturers 😂
Exactly the same for me. It was a revelation to learn that the foot growth is to be expected. Thanks for your comment.
Hi. I thought it was because I’ve gained weight, years ago. I’ve been buying half a size bigger. I recently went to a shoe store where they measured my foot and found it to be the same size. I found this confusing, of course. The shoes I try on continue to… need that extra half size. SIGH.
There is also the issue of foot swelling, either through the day, after sitting for a long time, or making a big hike. My feet swell while driving, but oddly, not much while hiking. Also, allowing some room for slippage had really helped me in the shoes I wear. It makes sense to wear what works and to pay less attention to the number on the shoes. Thanks for your comment.
@@RationalTalk Oh yeah. Someone told me that if I do regular calf lifts that this will combat my “fat” feet🙂. (I do some when so remember.)
Cheers.
@@GilliMarieMoody I used to lift six days a week and my feet still grew! Too bad I lack the discipline to do that anymore.🙂