Council gives over-50s slipper advice

[Perdita]

A scheme which gives the over-50s advice on how to wear slippers safely has been defended by a local authority.

Warwickshire County Council's initiative was slammed as "patronising" by critics, who said that it was also a waste of tax-payers' cash.

The scheme allows "older people" the chance to replace worn slippers for a new pair for just £5, with advice on how to don them and avoid accidents around the home included in the fee. While the authority said that the initiative will save money in the long run by preventing falls, critics told The Daily Telegraph that the money could be better spent.

Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance Matthew Elliott said that responsible adults were being treated like children. "People in their 50s in particular will be surprised to learn that they are judged incapable of buying and putting on slippers without interference," he said.

"Most people targeted by this scheme would far prefer to have lower council tax and money to pay the bills rather than lectures on slippers from the council."

A spokeswoman for the local authority responded: "It's entirely optional and the majority of people who are taking up the scheme are 65 plus - however, for those who may have health needs at an earlier age, the service is here."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/odd/news/a190033/council-gives-over-50s-slipper-advice.html

There are some people on here who might need this advice :p
I tend to wear those socks with rubber bits on the bottom so I don't slip in the kitchen or bathroom, so I am fine without the advice :lol:

[StarsOfCCTV]

Slipper socks are no fun. :lol:

I would think my mum would be pretty annoyed at being told what to do in regards to slippers. :rolleyes: I would think she'd be more concerned about the council doing something like fixing the pavements so that they weren't uneven, and therefore a hazard.

Advice on slippers sounds like health and safety gone mad. :lol: Whatever happened to people using their common sense. :p

[Dazzle]

It does sound like Health and Safety gone mad, but it's nice that pensioners can get a pair of slippers for £5. Some are so poor they may not be able to afford them otherwise.

[Perdita]

But could they not run the scheme without being so patronising? I think most of us wear slippers throughout our lives, if we managed for over 50 years, advice on how to wear them is somewhat late, surely

[Meh]

What next? How to use a knife and fork safetly?

[Abigail]

I may be stereotyping and this is just my personal opinion but old people wear the sort of slippers that have outdoor soles, why do they need to be told how to wear them properly? It's not exactly hard to slip on some shoes and toddle around the house in them.

[Abbie]

I remember years ago I had a horrible fall down the stairs due to slippers

[Siobhan]

I remember years ago I had a horrible fall down the stairs due to slippers

I broke my toe cause of slippers.. I was carrying something heavy up the stairs and my slipper fell off and I slipped, dropped the thing on my toe and was 6 weeks in a cast

[Perdita]

So do councils have to give advice on how to properly wear slippers to under-50's as well :hmm: :rotfl:

[Siobhan]

So do councils have to give advice on how to properly wear slippers to under-50's as well :hmm: :rotfl:

they should do.. those cute slip on fluffy slipper, not great for walking up a stairs.. I now have either full slippers or slipper socks

[Trinity]

How patronising.

(Plus, £5 is not that chaeap for slippers - you can get them from £2.50 in Asda).

[Jessie Wallace]

The residents where i work are only allowed slippers in their rooms, proper foot wear has to be worn around the rest of the home. Slippers don't tend to fit as well as shoes and are a big cause off them falling!

[Perdita]

That is why I wear slipper socks :D

[JustJodi]

http://www.dearfoams.com/

http://www.dearfoams.com/womens-shoes.htm

Hi gang I am in the over 50's category, my mom is 88 she wears the slippers in that link.. she prefers the ballerina type cos it is snug on her foot, I prefer the BOOT type ,, I do not like the clogs, those are the type that cause so many accidents :-(

I have quite a collection of the boot type ,,Kim gives me a pair for Christmas every year, plus I buy 2 or 3 pairs of ballerina type slippers when I am in the USA:rolleyes:

[Abigail]

Those blue slippers in your first link look like heaven!

I've got these (http://www.marksandspencer.com/Per-Una-Faux-Boot-Slippers/dp/B002LOH0XI?ie=UTF8&qid=1260226566&categoryNodeID=42967030&ref=sr_1_2&page=&node=70875031&sr=1-2&mnSBrand=core&rh=) and they are ridiculously comfy :D