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Wearing the appropriate slippers to reduce trips and falls

(27 Posts)
Safethansorry1 Tue 16-Aug-16 13:36:53

I recently bought my mother who suffers from alzheimers and is really unsteady on her feet a pair of Velcro slippers, The Velcro fastening on the slippers have helped with her walking and she does not now walk out of them as she did with shop bought slippers.

TriciaF Tue 16-Aug-16 14:22:45

Good idea - I recently binned an old pair of slippers that had become too big, and bought a new pair.
I was finding that the old ones started to slip off and I caught the toe on the floor.
I don't think we always lift our feet properly when we walk when we get older.

Anya Tue 16-Aug-16 14:58:47

blush

pensionpat Tue 16-Aug-16 15:58:18

There's a reason they're called slippers! Don't know if they still do it, but for a few years Age UK held an annual Slipperswopshop where people exchanged their old ones for some with Velcro. Apparently the biggest reason for older people to be in hospital is falls.

rosesarered Tue 16-Aug-16 16:07:26

Oh dear, ......this is our most old lady thread ever.grin

Ana Tue 16-Aug-16 16:49:28

But despite what the OP claims, you can certainly buy velcro-fastening slippers in shops!

Safethansorry1 Tue 16-Aug-16 17:26:20

Hi Pensionpat. Yes i have heard of the Slipperswopshop and the sloppy slipper exchange. AGE UK run a similar slipper event in Southampton. www.slippersfortheelderly.com runs this type of event, They save lives and also save the NHS much needed funds by reducing falls and injury's to the elderly, by wearing the appropriate Velcro slippers falls are reduced.Saving suffering and injury. These slipper events are a good idea indeed. Good Idea.

Katek Tue 16-Aug-16 19:00:41

I just wear my feet indoors, nothing on them at all. Just an old hippy at heart. grin

Jalima Tue 16-Aug-16 21:14:17

I wear shoes. Indoor shoes (a habit from schooldays)

Deedaa Tue 16-Aug-16 21:29:38

I was never able to talk MIL out of her lethal mules. "But I never fall over!" Eventually a broken hip left her chair bound and the slippers were no longer a risk.

Grannyknot Tue 16-Aug-16 21:47:29

Kate' me too. Feet on their own are good. Or those socks wuth rubber grips on the sole. Not sure that Velcro slippers are needed.

Grannyknot Tue 16-Aug-16 21:48:37

With!

My accent crept in to my typing! grin

Grannyknot Tue 16-Aug-16 21:50:11

Is this thread an advert?

Lyndylou Tue 16-Aug-16 21:50:46

Me too Katek, I can't bear slippers. I owned a pair for a very brief period when we had a feisty little kitten who liked nothing better than to attack toes when I was least expecting it but they soon got discarded when the kitten discovered different things to play with.

Ana Tue 16-Aug-16 21:52:45

Grannyknot, that's what I thought too - but it's hardly worth reporting! grin

Jalima Tue 16-Aug-16 21:59:44

We could have a discussion about what constitutes 'elderly' grin

Ana Tue 16-Aug-16 22:14:48

I think we've had that discussion many times over, Jalima - can't remember whether any conclusion was reached! grin

ninathenana Tue 16-Aug-16 23:14:21

Is the op suggesting that we are all of a certain age where we need the support of a stout pair of slippers with Velcro fastening ?
If not I fail to see the point.

durhamjen Tue 16-Aug-16 23:35:33

I just had my feet on when I fell down stairs.
I do not think that velcro slippers would have helped.

Grannyknot Wed 17-Aug-16 07:31:54

I was recently described as "early elderly" grin

(I'm 67 and it was in relation to responding to research).

Grannyknot Wed 17-Aug-16 07:33:42

Ana, 're CBA, true.

Mumsy Wed 17-Aug-16 07:45:05

I hate wearing slippers, I normally go around barefoot during the warmer weather and wear the flat mule type in the winter months. I can never find a nice comfortable fit in slippers no matter what style I go for. The only time there seems to be a good collection of slippers is at xmas time. It would be a good idea if slippers had more support in them.

grannylyn65 Wed 17-Aug-16 17:58:15

Crocs !

GrandmaMoira Wed 17-Aug-16 19:48:10

I've always worn flat mules but now find they are too wide and slip off so now only wear them between bedroom and bathroom. I have some soft shoes to act as slippers in winter and flat sandals in summer. When I had a severe prolapse I was unable to lift my feet properly and fell indoors flat on my face. You don't have to be very elderly to fall.

Jalima Wed 17-Aug-16 19:56:18

I had to wear a velcro slipper/sandal after I fell down the stairs and sprained my ankle badly.
Along with a couple of crutches to help me along hmm