Walking is the ultimate daily exercise for seniors, and well, for any age really.  The benefits are numerous!  But when we start to age, care and thought now need to take place before we even think of placing our feet on our front porch! We need to start incorporating safety into our plans, so we’ll be talking safety walking tips for seniors!

Welcome to the aging feet and what we can do to ensure we are walking safely.

How Our Feet Age

Years of treading terrains, both treacherous and mild, have made our feet plain tired.  Along with bad walking shoes, age has a huge part in how we are able to move as we walk into our golden years.

Our feet start to go through changes as we age, such as:

• Arthritis screams HELLO!
• Fat disappears on the bottoms of our feet – the one place where we lose fat?! 🤦
• Circulation slows
• Feet can get wider

So all of these may mean that you need new shoes to accommodate the changes in your feet.

Why Walking is Great!

The benefits of walking are too numerous to just stop walking due to pain or other mobility issues.  Not only does walking lower risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis; it also strengthens the muscles, manages weight, and improves balance which in turn helps lower risks for any falls.

Senior Safety Tips for Walking

Here are some tips on how to make walking for seniors safe and enjoyable

• Walk at a good pace – no rushing!
• Wear good shoes
• Tread terrains that are safe and stable
• Use your walking aids if you need to – it’ll ease up pressure on joints and make for a more enjoyable stroll
• Keep a bottle of water with you
• Cross only at intersections
• Increase your visibility – this is a great time to break out those neons!
• Watch buses and make eye contact with drivers

What Do I Look for in a Shoe?

A good pair of shoes is a must for stability and comfort and safety during a walk.  Look for:

• A good fit  – make sure to choose shoes that more toe room and has a wider fit – this will accommodate any swelling
• Good balance – we lose our sense of balance as we age, so look for shoes that feature a heel cup, optimal arch support, a contoured footbed and a stable sole
• Cushioning – a must for aging feet as we start to lose the fat padding underneath
• Slip resistance – #1 important feature!  Slip-resistant rubber soles as any falls can be very detrimental or fatal in old age

Enjoying the oldest form of exercise is everyone’s right to enjoy.  Even as we age, walking continues to provide health benefits.  Age shouldn’t be a hindrance to walking, so just learning of a few safety walking tips for seniors in advance to ensure safety is all you need to get trekking again without a care in the world.