Slippers

Buying gifts for Christmas has surely a common intention form the givers–to make the recipient happy. It is a gesture of wishing well to them.

Nevertheless, there is friendly advisory from health specialists that we should also bear in mind.

HEALTH specialists in North Wales are advising families to think hard about what footwear they buy for older relatives this Christmas.

Many falls by older people come from poorly fitting footwear and, with slippers being a very popular gift to grandparents and older relatives, Flintshire Local Health Board are advising people to think carefully about what they buy as a gift.

“Badly fitted footwear play a part in an unpleasantly large number of falls suffered by older people,” explained Celia Drew, a nurse on Flintshire’s chronic disease management team.

“With Christmas just around the corner, we want to urge people to think carefully about any footwear they might be thinking of buying as presents for older relatives.

“Soft, fluffy slippers might seem like the ideal present, but they can cause real harm.

“If you are going to buy footwear for older relatives this Christmas, look at something that will give plenty of support, as well as not having too much cushioning.