For several years the symptoms increased slowly
After decades of wearing Suits with coordinated suspenders, ties, and leather sole (dress) shoes then the Business Casual became the norm but still leather sole shoes
Feet and footware transitions:
After Parkinson’s joined our family, leather sole (dress) shoes got replaced completely, too slippery, and not enough give and just plain uncomfortable. …and after a very few years his feet shape and shoe size started to change. Not something we were expecting.
Tennis Shoes: The dress shoes were replaced at first with a variety of tennis style shoes, far more comfortable and not slippery, better footing for him. …and he was still able to walk with or without a cane and we were able continued square dancing for a
couple of years until his balance became compromised while dancing, so we retired from square dancing, it had been a good run.
Calf length socks were replaced lower styles, easier to get on and off
Slippers: I don’t really recommend them, even with rubber soles, the person can step out of them too easy and maybe trip.
Just be extra careful in your choice of styles if they are choice.
Water shoes: Ray came up with Water Shoes. Bought Cal’s first in 2019. Cal’s toes on his right foot had curled up into
what Cal called a monkey’s fist and even without Parkinson’s it made walking difficult. This had been a problem for a long time.
(Cal’s right side of his body was considered Parkinsonian side – most of his initial symptoms would start there)
Shoes were becoming very difficult to find. I probably bought dozens of pairs off Amazon, thank goodness for their return policy.
By that time there was no way to get him to a shoe store.
-Peg