Can a shoe or shoe insole prevent an elderly from falling?

There's another cause of falling: syncopatic episodes.

As others wrote, there could be specific issues which cause someone to fall, which can't be addressed by insoles. I wear insoles b/c my feet have lost almost all of their bottom padding. But that doesn't stabilize my balance.

Hearing, eyesight, leg strength, arm strength, dehydration, orthostatic hypotension, too much sugar consumption, can all contribute to falling, as can the type of floor, carpeting or slick flooring, lighting in the area and other ergonomic issues.

Best to get some medical workups and find out why he's falling.

Andy, I see from your profile that your Dad is my age [70] and I have had one major fall that resulted in a broken bone. That was over a year ago, and I have found myself being very careful now when I walk and what shoes I am wearing. For me, no more shoes with any type of high heel.

I think some of the falls are due to weak ankles, which is my problem. I wish I could wear Converse high-top sneakers to work.

For my Dad, his falls were due to a knee problem where the knee would give out. Surgery was out of the question as Dad was in his 90's. He was happy as a clam with his rolling walker. But he would still fall even with the walker because of that knee and not having that upper body strength that he use to have..

I agree with Sunnygirl above, find out what is actually causing your Dad to fall.

Andy1234,
Are you certain about why your father is falling? Are you sure it's foot issues, balance, dizzy, coordination, vision, etc? I'd explore that to make sure that it is his feet. Sometimes, diabetes can cause the feet to hurt or feel numb and I suppose that could contribute to a fall. I'd work with a primary and podiatrist to ensure that the real cause is being treated.

Inserts may work for some people, but, I will caution you in using them for your father? Is he able to tell you when something is uncomfortable or painful? If not, be very careful. I have experience with wearing shoe inserts due to a couple of foot issues that I have and I've never found one that worked for me. I've talked to others who say the same thing. They may look comfortable, but they can cause pressure and pain in the foot. If special support is needed, I'd look into orthotic shoes that have it built in. An expert could help with that.

Thank you for your valuable responses.
from where can i buy one of these diabetic insoles ?
can you please share the insoles brand name?

It looks like a very innovative approach to a world-wide problem: an aging population that tends to experience falling. From what I can see it was in development for several years, and has been tested on a few dozen people. I cannot see that it is in production at this time.

My grandma has special diabetic shoes that are used to keep her feet healthy, cool and help her keep her balance. I have found that with her shoes on and her walking, she walks much better and is much more secure in walking with these medicare diabetic shoes with her special insoles in. Her ankles do not give out, her feet stay perfectly aligned and her steps are more secure. Once she is placed on her feet, she is able to walk without any issues and in fact any falls she has had isn't due to walking but instead due to things giving out or her bumping things etc. She tells me her shoes and insoles make her feel like she won't trip and fall and I have to say, I tend to agree. The insoles are Aerostep I think and they are made by heating the soles and then placing her foot on them to make sure they match her pressure points. Her feet are perfect, no sores, no calluses or anything. Personally I'm jealous as my feet are a mess and full of calluses from being on them all day caring for my grandma, two kids and my household.

So not sure about that cool looking insole being offered there but I do think supportive shoes can really help an elderly person walk better and safer (until it comes to walking in bad weather. Those diabetic shoes is an accident waiting to happen when it comes to any kind of bad weather),