FOOT HEALTH
Meeting the needs of an ageing population with increasing foot health issues
T
he population of Great Britain is ageing. There are in excess of 10 million people in the UK who are over 65 years old and that number will have
almost doubled to around 19 million by 2050. Our ageing population will undoubtedly have an impact on the NHS and of course, on commercial businesses focussing on the elderly, including those businesses involved in foot health and in selling footwear. There are, for instance, 3.9 million people living with diabetes in the UK
today (either diagnosed or undiagnosed), and this figure has more than doubled in the last two decades. By 2025, it is estimated that those with diabetes will reach five million in the UK. They will all need suitable footwear to reduce the likelihood of serious medical complications. Diabetes can have a huge impact on foot health. Poor circulation, numbness and the reduction of sensation due to vascular disease, are just some of the outcomes that can result from diabetes. Whether customers have naturally broad feet, or suffer from foot health issues, there is a real desire for younger looking silhouettes and contemporary colours - shoes that complement a youthful wardrobe. There is absolutely no reason why wide fitting shoes need to look or feel 'frumpy' or dated. DB Shoes has been able to design and manufacture shoes for both men and women that meet customers' unique fitting needs whilst also being comfortable and 'easy on the eye'.
DB wider fitting shoes have been designed to be as smooth as possible
internally. With few internal seams and styles with seam-free toe boxes, the shoes are especially useful for those people suffering from diabetes-related foot problems. Where seams do exist, those seams have been placed in locations designed to reduce the possibility of rubbing. DB styles have removable socks to create extra depth / space for orthotics and they're available in different widths and depths, ensuring a comfortable fit.
30 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • MAY 2016 Making sure that sufferers have the correct fitting footwear is important.
Poor fitting shoes, whether too loose or too tight, can cause rubbing and chaffing which can lead to further complications. About a third of all people aged over 65 fall, at least once each year (this
is equivalent to over 3 million people). The cost of hospitalisation and social care for hip fractures, (most of which are due to falls), is £2 billion a year or £6 million a day. A consistent and adequate falls prevention strategy could reduce the number of falls by 15-30%. All DB house shoes have hard wearing, stable outer soles that can be worn inside or outside. The wide flat sole provides a stable base for walking. The uppers have a stiffener built into the back panel that supports and cradles the heel safely and comfortably. The touch fastening straps allow for easy access, yet can be adjusted simply and quickly to ensure a perfect fit. Accidents can happen so easily, but many falls can be avoided by wearing correctly fitted, supportive footwear. Being able to buy good quality, well-fitting house shoes is of paramount
importance for falls prevention. The right footwear can increase foot health, improve mobility and enable independence in the elderly. DB Shoes Ltd is a long established UK manufacturer of wide fitting
footwear, specialising in shoes, boots and house shoes for the wider foot. Under its easy b and Da Bella brands, it offers Ladies and Men's width fittings of EE-8EE, the most comprehensive range of wide fitting footwear in the U.K and in 2009, became the first recipients of the Healthy Footwear symbol.
You can request free catalogues online at
www.widerfitshoes.co.uk or by calling their friendly and knowledgeable customer service team on 01933 359217 who are happy to discuss the DB in-stock service and answer your questions. The potential for increase in sales is enormous in an ever growing market!
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