Community Update (8/15/24)

Wellness

Save the Date – Safe Falling for Older Adults

September 10, 2:00-3:00pm, Lubber Run Community Center

While the safest fall is the fall that never happens, it is can be helpful to understand ways to fall safely. Join Dennis Jinnohara, of Kupuna Aikido, to learn the ABC’s of and

techniques for safe falling. Free, open to the public, no registration required.

The Glass Slipper No Longer Fits—Have My Feet Grown?

By Joan Smith

While I have had long, narrow feet for most of my life, I was surprised recently when I found the old sizes just were too tight. So I was heartened by a recent “Ask A Doctor” column in the Washington Post (June 11, 2024) that addressed this change.

Physician/Columnist Trisha Pasricha explored this topic with several experts and shared the following information. While we stop growing in height by early 20’s, our feet continue to grow in both length and width. Plus, over the last century, our “collective feet size” has become bigger! As a point of reference, in 1900, average shoe sizes were 6.5 for a man and 4.5 for a woman. This explains how we are incredulous as we look upon tiny Victorian shoes in the museum!  As we have become taller with good nutrition, and bigger with the obesity epidemic, foot growth has accelerated. Some studies have found that with major weight loss may come a decrease in shoe size.

Age is a factor affecting shoe size, as we have spent a lifetime bearing the weight of our whole bodies; this causes our feet to flatten and widen. Other factors include pregnancy, as hormones relax the body’s ligaments. Some women do not regain their former foot size after childbirth.

Edema is another factor, since retaining too much fluid in the feet can cause the collapse of the arch of the foot. Those of us who like to go barefoot find our feet become wider, as do those who like to run in minimalist shoes. Then there are bunions and calluses, perhaps triggered by wearing shoes that are too small, but can later lead to deformities that enlarge feet. And a rare disorder called acromegaly produces too much growth hormone, which can enlarge the feet.

So, what do we do about it? First, we are counseled to “love our feet”. We need to let go of our old “knowledge” of what our shoe size is, and have a good fitting for shoes, then adjust to the new/current accurate shoes size! A proper shoe size can help prevent diabetic ulcers, as well as prevent tripping/falling. Your health care provider may advise you to wear compression stockings to manage edema/swelling (and they come in so many colors and patterns now, so no need for style compromises).

We all know that foot exercise can be beneficial in preventing many maladies; tipping feet up/down and back/forth ten times can increase circulation, flexibility, and possibly sensation (this statement reflects what this writer found after doing this in water aerobics!)  Our aging feet lose some fat in the pads on the bottoms of our feet; this explains why a 20 year old can run over the rocks on a beach, while we have to put on our sandals to avoid the pain.

Make a date with a podiatrist to thoroughly assess your feet. They may suggest some minor surgery to fix a pain or fitting problem, and they will be able to treat any ulcers or bunions or calluses as well as trim those toenails, all of which may help your feet be happier!