Archived press release

Date Published: 19/03/07

Older residents in Aylesbury Vale are being offered the chance to throw out their sloppy slippers and get a brand new pair free of charge. Local agencies in the district, including AVDC, Buckinghamshire County Council and Bucks Primary Care Trust...

Older residents in Aylesbury Vale are being offered the chance to throw out their sloppy slippers and get a brand new pair free of charge.

Local agencies in the district, including AVDC, Buckinghamshire County Council and Bucks Primary Care Trust, have organised a Senior Wellbeing Event and will be giving away the new slippers to pensioners in a bid to reduce the number of falls caused by ill-fitting footwear.

People aged 60 or over are being invited to exchange their old and possibly dangerous slippers for a free new pair that has been specially designed with safety in mind.  Advice and guidance on foot care will also be given with the slippers, together with an assessment of each person’s risk of falling and information on how to avoid falls in the home.

Falls account for a significant proportion of emergency visits to hospital by older people and are the reason for the vast majority of hip fractures. Research has shown that badly fitted slippers are often implicated in older peoples’ falls.

Jenny Newton, Health Improvement Officer at AVDC, said: “Sloppy, loose-fitting slippers cause trips and falls, which are the most common type of accident in the home for people over 65 years of age.
  
“Even a slight trip can cause significant injuries in older people and we are keen to do our bit as a council to help prevent these unnecessary falls. We are holding a Senior Wellbeing Event so people can swap their ill-fitting slippers for a safe and snug pair.”

As well as the sloppy slipper exchange, a team of experts will be on hand at the event to offer free budget, safety and health advice and lots of other information on staying independent at home.

The event will be held on 27 March at Long Crendon Library in the High Street, Long Crendon, from 10am to 2.30pm. The sloppy slipper exchange will take place between 1pm and 2.30pm. Free refreshments will be provided during the event.

For more information, please visit AVDC’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or contact Jenny Newton, Health Improvement Officer, on 01296 585154 or email jnewton@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk