16th June 2009
New slippers for old on Falls Awareness Day
To mark National Falls Awareness day on Tuesday 23 June elderly people can pop along to the Broomfield Community Centre (behind the Angel Pub) between 1.30pm and 3.30pm to exchange their slippers and get health checks.
The Elderly Assessment Team from Broomfield Hospital will be on hand with free slippers for elderly people that will be properly fitted to prevent them from tripping and falling.
Vicky Leah from the Elderly Assessment Team said:” The aim of the slipper exchange is to provide those elderly people who would genuinely benefit with properly fitting slippers to promote safer mobility and comfort. Specially trained fitters will be there to fit the slippers as we know that having slippers that don’t fit properly can lead to falls, which is what we want to prevent.”
The team have 200 pairs of free slippers available in a range of sizes for men and women. These will be issued on a first come, first served basis.
There will also be health information available and blood pressure checks. At 2pm and 3pm taster sessions in special falls/balance exercise classes will be held.
Vicky adds:” A physiotherapist from NHS mid Essex will be there to provide walking stick MOTs and replace the ferrules (rubber tips). We will also have representatives from First Bus who will be giving advice about being safe on board their buses. I would encourage elderly people to come along, it should be very worthwhile.”
ENDS
Media contact : Jo Triggs tel: (01245) 514235 | Mobile : 0790 005 4948
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