Ames Walker Blog

The Best Shoes for Seniors: Sandals, Hook and Loop Strap Shoes and More

Most seniors know they should be wearing some kind of orthopedic shoe, but it can be tough to sort through all the options out there and make the right decision. To help you with the shopping process, we’ve compiled a guide of our best tips for choosing orthopedic shoes. Below, we break down their benefits, outline our top shopping criteria and highlight some of the best styles for seniors, from dress to strap shoes. Benefits of Orthopedic Shoes If you’re not convinced yet on why you should consider these shoes for your everyday activities, here are three of the most important benefits of wearing orthopedic shoes you need to know: Orthopedic shoes promote good balance, proper posture and walking mechanics, which...

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5 Ways to Relieve Aching Legs at Night

You’ve brushed your teeth, put on your pajamas, turned off the light and crawled in bed. You close your eyes, ready to drift off to sleep, but your aching legs won’t let you be. If you often find yourself unable to fall asleep, wondering, "why do my legs ache at night?" you're not alone. Whether this condition is temporary or chronic, tired, aching legs at night are very common— and frustrating. Thankfully, there are multiple steps you can take to refresh your legs and boost your sleep quality. Below, we briefly explain possible causes of aching legs before diving into five solutions that can help you manage your symptoms. Causes of Aching Legs The first step to treating aching legs...

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Never Slowing Down: Compression Stockings, Braces & Other Essentials for Active Seniors

Never Slowing Down: Compression Stockings, Braces & Other Essentials for Active Seniors

Many young people envision their golden years as endless days of sitting around—but your retirement doesn’t have to look like that unless you want it to. In fact, staying active as a senior won’t just help you pass the time, it will also keep your body strong and your brain sharp as you age. In this guide, we cover the benefits of staying active for seniors and explain the gear that older adults need. Then, we conclude by summarizing our favorite activities for seniors. Benefits of Staying Active Exercise is good for your physical, mental and emotional health at all stages of life, including your golden years. Here are the five benefits of staying active that all seniors should know:...

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6 Health Benefits of Leg Elevation Pillows

You know that it feels good to put your feet up at the end of the day, but do you know why? Well, it’s not just in your head. The many benefits of leg elevation include increasing venous blood flow, reducing swelling, and relieving symptoms of high pressure in your veins. Standing on your feet or sitting at a desk all day can cause your legs to ache because your veins are fighting gravity to deliver blood back to your heart. Here are six more reasons you should invest in a leg elevation pillow. 1. Improve Blood Flow in the Veins When you step out of bed each morning, your veins begin to work against gravity as they transport blood from your feet all...

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9 Occupations That Would Benefit from Doctor-Approved Compression Therapy

If you think your job might be negatively impacting your circulation, you might be right. Occupations that require you to sit or stand all day (or a combination of both) can contribute to slow blood flow—but compression therapy can help to improve circulation. Here are nine occupations that can benefit from compression therapy: 1. Medical Professionals Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, home health aides, technicians—pretty much all medical professionals spend their entire shift standing and walking. In fact, nurses often cover more than four miles in the hospital corridors during a 12-hour shift. Compression socks keep their legs and circulation healthy, so they can focus on patients instead. 2. Air Travel Workers Flight attendants are usually required to wear more formal tights...

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