Shoes for Hospice Patients
While many home hospice patients spend a lot of time sitting or laying in bed, there are times that they may like to spend time outside or have to go out for appointments or other errands. The wrong shoes can be uncomfortable, difficult to put on, and may even pose a tripping hazard due to poor fit or aspects of the shoe that may cause a patient to lose their balance more easily.
Prioritizing appropriate footwear selection can provide hospice patients with improved comfort, decreased pain and increased safety - giving them more time and energy to focus on enjoying quality time with loved ones and making every moment count.
Factors to Keep in Mind
When purchasing footwear for home hospice patients, several considerations should be kept in mind to ensure the optimal fit and functionality:
1. Foot Measurement and Analysis: You may need to remeasure the patient’s foot occasionally, as their shoe size could change due to swelling. if there is swelling, understanding what part(s) of the foot are most affected can help you select a style that would be safest and most comfortable.
2. Mobility and Activity Level: Evaluate the patient's current mobility and activity level to understand the appropriate level of support or traction required.
3. Skin Sensitivity: Some patients may experience increased skin sensitivity, making breathable materials and seamless designs the preferred choice to prevent irritation or pressure sores.
4. Ease of Use: Consider each patient's dexterity and ability to put on or take off shoes independently, favoring slip-on styles with adjustable closures for additional ease, or styles that are easy for the patient’s caregiver to put on properly without causing too much discomfort or strain.
5. Therapeutic Needs: Certain medical conditions or foot deformities may require special shoes or orthotic inserts for effective support and alignment, such as orthotics.
Recommended Footwear Options
While personal preferences and requirements for home hospice patients may differ, here are a few recommendations that work well for a majority of patients:
1. Slippers: Slippers made of soft materials such as faux suede with closed backs and sturdy soles are an ideal combination of comfort and warmth while decreasing the risk of falls or trips. Look for adjustable closures or elastic gores (little triangles of elastic sewn into the top of a shoe for easy on/off access).
2. House Shoes: Much like slippers, house shoes provide additional support and stability, making them the ideal footwear option for those who spend much of their time indoors. Look for styles with cushioned insoles and non-skid soles for optimal results. House shoes aren’t generally designed to perform well outdoors, as the soles don’t generally offer much traction or durability.
3. Diabetic Shoes: Diabetics or those suffering from circulation issues often require extra deep, seamless interiors and adjustable closures in their footwear to accommodate swelling and reduce skin irritation. Diabetic-specific footwear offers these features.
4. Orthopedic Shoes: With their sturdy construction, supportive insoles, and wide toe boxes, orthopedic shoes offer excellent stability and comfort for those living with foot deformities or mobility challenges.
5. Adaptive shoes: Equipped with features such as hook-and-loop closures, elastic laces, and extended tongue openings, adaptive shoes may be a suitable solution for individuals who lack dexterity or suffer from conditions like arthritis.
Proper Fit and Care
Finding shoes with the proper fit is vital to both comfort and safety. Some key points to consider are:
1. Sizing and Width: For optimal foot movement, shoes should offer ample room for toe wiggle and slippage. Measure both feet to select a pair that can accommodate for the larger foot size.
2. Heel Support: Make sure that the inside heel portion of the shoe is able to hug to the patient’s foot without too much room. While you don’t want to create pain and discomfort from a shoe that is too tight, you also don’t want to create too much rubbing on the patient’s heel, which, in addition to being painful over time, can also pose a tripping hazard if the patient is constantly feeling like their shoe might fall off.
3. Adjustability: Shoes that provide adjustability via laces, velcro or elastic closures can accommodate for swelling or changes in foot size during hospice care.
Finally, don’t forget good socks!
The right shoes paired with the wrong socks can cause discomfort and the build-up of moisture around the patient’s foot.
Patients at risk of edema or poor circulation may benefit from wearing compression stockings or socks to increase blood flow and decrease swelling. Materials like wool can wick moisture away from the feet. Cotton breathes well and is easy to wash.
Finding Joy in Every Step
Although footwear may seem like a minor decision, its selection can have a profound effect on hospice patients' comfort and quality of life. Anything you can do to help make the patient feel safe, secure, independent, and stress free is worth the effort!
For a list of other supplies you may want for hospice, check out this blog post. We also carry many hospice supplies in our shop, Coastal Medical Supplies.