THEY’RE traditionally associated with warmth and comfort – but slippers
can also pose a catalogue of hidden dangers.
Now a special event will offer free baffies to older people and carers
treading the fine line between cosiness and calamity as part of a wider effort
to reduce falls at home.
The event, organised under the nationwide Reshaping Care for Older
People (RCOP) programme, which takes place on Tuesday 28 January in St
Patrick’s Church Hall, Coatbridge, will also focus on good foot and bone care
with a range of experts on hand to offer advice.
RCOP aims to make independent living a reality to growing numbers of
older people by providing more support and care in the community, at home or in
homely settings.
Partners, who will be represented at the event, include NHS Lanarkshire,
North Lanarkshire Council, the voluntary and the independent sector.
Advisors from Mobility Scotland will also be present to provide the
slipper safety check. The company’s Billy Finnie explained: “Poorly fitting or
worn-out slippers can compromise the individual’s position, balance and
mobility which can lead to falls.
“This time of year can be problematic because well-meaning family
members may have bought their gran, aunt or uncle slippers at Christmas,
perhaps not checking the exact size beforehand.
“A lot of people will persevere, even if the slippers they are wearing
are two sizes too big. Older people from the local community can bring along
their existing slippers for the check. We’ll measure up feet and supply a new
pair, where appropriate.”
The slipper exchange has been backed by key partners in RCOP.
Wendy Feeney, NHS Lanarkshire’s Lead Nurse for Osteoporosis, also
stressed that the event will focus on a range of other issues that can
contribute to falls.
She explained: “People of all ages fall but older people are at greater
risk and they are more likely to experience serious injury.
“Evidence shows that this can be reduced when an
individual’s risk of falling is assessed and actions are taken.
“The NHS Lanarkshire falls service, who will be in attendance, are a
specialist team and they will be available to provide information and advice.
“Foot and bone care is also crucial to preventing falls in older people
and we’ll be offering advice on how to take care of toenails, feet and bones.”
RCOP is also geared to giving people and community groups the resources
to strengthen their communities. In each of North Lanarkshire’s six localities,
a local level ‘consortium’ has been established to guide and co-ordinate local
planning.
Claire Delahay, representing the Coatbridge RCOP consortium, played a
leading role in organising the open day.
The consortia has been instrumental in setting up a raft of projects and
schemes in the area, ranging from tutorials on modern technology, lunch clubs
to community transport. Many of the supports and projects will be on display
during the open day. Melanie
Menzies Health & Well Being Manager for North
Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd will also attend to highlight the many programmes of
physical activity available in the area.
Claire said: “Working together with other agencies and
organisations is crucial and events like this also underline the collective
commitment to make Lanarkshire a great place for older people to live, now and
in the future.”
For more information on the event, which takes place on Tuesday 28
January in St Patrick’s Church Hall, Coatbridge 10.30am till 2pm,contact Claire
Delahay on 01236 875054
