A council has spent thousands of pounds on a scheme to teach the over-50s how to wear their slippers safely.

The Warwickshire County Council service allows 'older people' to bring in their old slippers and replace them with a new pair, to cut the risk of falling over.  For a fee of £5, participants receive a fitting session, a new pair of the Velcro fastening slippers, and advice on how to wear them.  The council claims that the initiative will save money in the long run because it prevents costly injuries to elderly people.

But critics say the so-called Sloppy Slippers project, which is costing taxpayers £3,500, as a waste of money and "patronising" to people in their 50s and 60s.  Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "This is a patronising campaign that treats responsible adults 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."

And Neil Duncan Jordan, of the National Pensioners' Convention said: "Falls among the elderly are very serious, but for the vast majority of people in their 50s and 60s, this is patronising and a waste of money."  A council spokeswoman insisted: "It's really about prevention and intervention where people are targeted earlier to prevent problems later in life.  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."

I was thinking of slippers for my own dear Mum on her birthday... today! It's too risky though... I'll stick to gin! 

Happy birthday Mum!


When he said "you put your left leg in" I thought we were going to do the Hokey Cokey...

The original was here