Slippers and socks are often given as gifts, but think twice when choosing footwear for someone who is tottery or has a shuffling gait.

Sandy Turnwald, Senior Quality Management Coordinator for Bupa Care Services' Gardenview facility, says she is not surprised that in Britain, hospital records show that ill-fitting slippers are a common cause of falls, broken bones, and even bites when owners try to wrestle them from the family dog!

Safety first

Sandy says footwear preferences are very individual, but safety should be the first consideration when buying footwear for ourselves or others.

"Sometimes people come into our facilities with footwear they have owned for years."

"They love their high heels, slippery soles, and shoes that are too tight, and it can be hard to convince them they are unsafe!"

Feet can change over the years, developing bunions or corns, and can alter in shape.

 Bulldog

Try before you buy

"It's important to work out what is best for the person, taking into account their living environment and individual needs. And all footwear should be tried on before buying to make sure it fits properly," she says.

Feet can become bigger and broader with age, and develop bunions, corns, or sensitivity due to diabetes. It's important to try on slippers and other footwear before buying.

Simple tips to consider!

• Choose slippers and shoes with nonslip soles that have been tried on, and safely fit the individual.
• Don't buy slip-on ‘scuff' styles. Footwear should enclose the foot and provide good ankle support.
• Velcro shoes and slippers work well and can help to preserve independence, but they aren't very attractive, and the velcro loses its ‘stickability' over time.
• All slippers should be checked and replaced regularly (at least annually) as they tend to get stretched and baggy faster than shoes.
• Sole treads can become smooth with wear, increasing fall and slip risks. Ideally, have two pairs so that if one needs to be cleaned or repaired, a spare is available.
• Label shoes and slippers with a waterproof pen if the owner lives in a communal facility. If the person does not walk (i.e. uses a wheelchair), soft-sided footwear is fine, but firm-sided, supportive slippers and shoes with nonslip soles are best for walking.
• Boot-style slippers or ugg boots can be heavy, stretch, and become unsafe. Sheepskin linings in slippers and shoes are comfortable, but hot during the summer months, and take a long time to dry after washing.
• Don't wear slippers to bed, as they can cause pressure points on delicate skin. If wearing socks to bed, change them at least once a day, and check feet often for red areas and pressure points.
• Footwear that doesn't fit well can potentially cause pressure sores, especially for people who have had strokes, lost sensation in their feet, or are diabetic; they may not feel pressure or discomfort until a sore appears.
• Dry feet well, including between toes, after baths and showers, and check for sores or red areas at the same time.
• Nonslip socks with textured patterns on their soles are safer and more comfortable than regular socks when walking on surfaces such as lino, but they aren't good for wet areas such as the bathroom or toilet.
• Those who sit in wheelchairs or lounge chairs for long periods need to have feet and other pressure points checked regularly.
• Footwear should also be checked to ensure it is not too tight, or causing pressure on tender skin. In bed, it's nice to rest legs on a pillow with the heels in mid-air. This reduces pressure risks.