Rest and relaxation are two things we all covet.
After a long day, unwinding usually starts by slipping off your shoes before lounging in the house. But new research shows that seniors may want to keep their laces tied and Velcro strapped while at home.
For two years, Boston’s Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, followed 765 people between the ages of 64 and 97. The findings probably won’t surprise you.
The study showed that those who wore slippers, wore socks only, or went barefoot on a regular basis at home were far more likely to fall than people who kept their shoes on.
Sure, this might seem a bit obvious, but when you’re helping out a loved in their home, every step matters. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 40 percent of all seniors fall each year, many with life-altering experiences.
In an article for the Chicago Tribune, Dr. Marian Hannan, the study’s senior author and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says:
“Falls in older people are an incredibly common event, they don’t call them slippers for nothing. Between no support and no traction, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Shoes are a natural extension of people’s feet and they have a lot to do with how good or bad your balance is.”
According to the study, here’s how at-home footwear (or lack thereof) breaks down:
- 10 percent: Go barefoot or wear socks or slippers
- 21 percent: loafers
- 26 percent: oxfords
- 36 percent: Sneakers
- Remainder: sandals, high heels or boots.
Of the 563 falls at home that occurred during the study period, half were suffered by the barefoot/slipper/sock group. (There were 1,647 falls reported by 485 participants overall.) Falls took place all over the house — bathroom, stairs, kitchen, living room — and not just in wet, slippery areas.
Falls among seniors are going to happen, it’s inevitable.
But having the added support and balance of a shoe can give both the senior and their caregiver much needed peace of mind. And if you can’t be there all the time for the elderly people in our life, trust someone who can. Learn more about Home Instead’s CAREGivers, and the in-home services we support.
In the Charlotte area, Home Instead Senior Care provides non-medical in-home care to seniors in their homes to help keep them living independently for as long as possible. Simply call our office, anytime day or night, at 704.344.0801.
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You make a very good point here about shoes and safety around the house. It is very interesting to hear that those who wear socks and slippers fall the most often. This makes the suggestion to wear shoes around the house pretty clear. Specially designed shoes are a great way to prevent falls as you said, but also non-slip mats, lighting, and grab bars can boost their effectiveness in preventing household falls. Thanks for sharing the statistics!