Foot training to avoid slip-ups

Poorly-fitting footwear puts wearers at a higher risk of falls

Care home staff are to be trained to understand the importance of properly fitting footwear in preventing falls by residents.

Badly-fitting footwear like slippers are one of the major causes of falls for older people and they can sustain bruising, sprains or even broken bones.

Flintshire Local Health Board (LHB) is providing the training to its staff.

It wants families to consult experts like podiatrists before buying elderly relatives slippers for Christmas.

Good fitting slippers fit the shape of the wearer's feet, have a non-slip sole and should support the foot, reducing the chances of a fall.

Chiropodists and good shoe retailers should also be able to provide more information on properly fitting footwear, said Flintshire LHB.

Celia Drew, a chronic disease management nurse with Flintshire LHB who is organising the training, said: "We know from research that there is a clear link between foot pain and falls.

"When people have poorly fitting footwear, they are much more likely to sustain a fall, which can lead to bruising, sprains or a broken hip.

"We are working with care homes throughout the region to make sure that their staff are properly trained and know the risks that poorly fitting footwear can present.

She said the LHB wanted staff who were dealing with relatives to be aware of the more suitable options when it came to slippers.

"An indoor shoe would be much more appropriate than a slipper and they aren't terribly expensive, retailing at around £20," she said.