Another thread about shoes off

[LittleMissDaydreams]

Hi everyone, just after some experiences and advice.

We currently have carers in several times each day.

They are very nice and helpful, except they don't take off their shoes.

The house was clean and hygienic, shoes have never been worn inside, only slippers, and the slippers washed regularly.

The entire house, save the kitchen is carpeted.

I tried doing some googling about this and found some discussions about a "shoes-off house" and that people in general would respect that.

However, our carers don't. We have perhaps ten different people who rotate through depending on their rotas, and they all come in with shoes on, rain or shine, mostly not even wiping feet.

Prior to them coming, we were asked to remove the carpet in one room, I'm not sure why, it was a normal, clean, short-pile, quite new carpet, but we went ahead and put a hard floor down. I don't really mind but it doesn't really make the shoes situation much better, it is still getting dirty, and I am now mopping another floor, just when I don't need extra work.

We provided blue disposable shoe covers, and they wore them for a bit, but now some have said they aren't allowed to wear them, whilst others continue to do so.

We have a baby in the house who needs to be able to play on the floor that they have walked on, and I have a health problem that has left me with a weakened immune system.

It does make me rather sad that we have spend all these years being clean and tidy, and now due to a bit of (hopefully temporary) illness, our carpets are being dirtied.

I know that there are people who don't mind shoes on in their home, and I respect that, but I hope those people understand that some people would prefer or even need shoes off.

I would have thought that shoes off (presuming you put clean socks on) or shoe covers on would promote health and healing.

The carers all seem to have similar shoes so I presume they are standard issue, and they haven't used them to go for a hike up snowdon via a mudslide, buy they nevertheless wear the shoes outside.

I expect someone will come along to cite health and safety, but it seems that that is a catch-all excuse rather like the old "because of covid". Yes they might be going into homes with dirt on the floor or whatever, but that isn't the case in our home, and if that indeed is the reason, why is it acceptable then to track the residue of that into our home.

Thank you for reading.

Shoe covers could be a slip hazard, so I get why they might be forbidden by H&S.

To be perfectly honest, the health and safety of the carers is more important than your carpets - or at least that how their employers will see it. If you want their services I think you need to respect that.

You'd be unlikely as a member of the public in those places to have to consider procedures for a swift exit if people became hostile or aggressive. Risk assessments for people working in clients' homes have to consider such an eventuality.

Gross, I wouldn’t wear slippers that loads of other people had worn 🤮

If you have a compromised immune system why the hell is your house carpeted?? Carpets are disgusting, no matter how shoe free your house is or how careful you are they are dirt traps and can never be cleaned properly. This country really is decades behind in this carpet thing, many countries stopped having them 40 or 50 years ago!!

Get clear plastic runners - you can get them cut to the size you need.

Carpets are not disgusting, especially if you look after them. They make a house feel warmer too.

No, not if their workplace is someones home. You show some consideration. I always propose to take my shoes off. We even made Mil take her shoes off. She's posh so wasn't happy but we bought her her private stylish slippers so she caved in:)

The carers have the right to H&S standards in their workplace. No doubt the agency has strict rules about that in place. If the OP doesn't like that, she can look for other carers.

Yeah that is unusual - it's usually if there is a hoist that a hard floor is needed
I visited one person with a hoist and carpet and it was back breaking

I would rather die than make a close and beloved family member uncomfortable in my home for the sake of a pair of shoes. So I guess we're different in terms of how we show consideration and where we expect to find it.

OP's home is the carer's workplace and they will have health and safety rules to follow while working. They won't want to jeopardise their jobs for the sake of OP's carpet, so she needs to find a workable solution.

I am going to guess there is equipment to maneuver - hoist and/or profiling bed which would not be safe to do without a solid flooring and.. gasp.. appropriate footwear. The relative also has catheter in situ = bodily fluids on carpet and socks. I am guessing the OP knows perfectly well why she needs both the hard floors and for carers to wear shoes.

I'm sorry but there's no amount of looking after that stops them being disgusting after some time. Shoes or no shoes. If you have hard floors you can see how much dirt they accumulate every week, even with shoes off. With carpets that dirt just stays there, week after week. Only a small part is removed with hoovering...

It's extremely rude to ask any guest in your house to remove their shoes, tbh. But even more so when those people are working, no doubt need to comply with their H&S rules, and totally won't have time to faff about removing shoes & putting them back on again. We all grew up as babies crawling on carpets in "shoes on" houses, and we were all fine. Frankly, OP, you need to be less precious.

Frankly, OP, you need to be less precious.

To be fair, they can be as precious as they like while looking for different carers

I was only told it was a trip hasard. It was a flat, fitted carpet, not degraded, no holes or worn spots. Identical to the other rooms.

When I say I'm not sure why, I mean I don't understand why a fitted carpet is a trip hasard. But I did it because I'm trying to be helpful.

They do have time. They arrive late and leave early. I'm paying for more time than they are here.

It isn't extremely rude. On someone else's property, it is polite to abide by their customs.

I mentioned up thread that they wear mesh topped trainers. Not exactly waterproof.

Their H&S matters more. I'm not sure why you're having such trouble understanding this.

Yes - but being 'less precious' wouldn't make for a nice frothy thread on MN.

More than the health of the unwell relative? Traipsing dirt in?

I'm probably having trouble understanding because I'm thick. That would be the simplest explanation.

I'm still stuck on the idea of shoes being covered with germs and dirt. I think I probably have a low IQ.

"They do have time. They arrive late and leave early. I'm paying for more time than they are here."

This is the way companies work. You will be (for example) 9 - 10. The next person will be 10 - 10.30. The carers leave you early and get to the next one late. All day. They don't have 'time'. They are working.

I pay by the hour for a service. They leave early and arrive late.

I'm still stuck on the idea of shoes being covered with germs and dirt.

They aren't though, is the thing. As many of us have said, we grew up as crawling babies on carpeted floors in shoes on households.

I don't think there's any documented evidence that shoes on houses are more of a threat to health than shoes off.

However it is quite clear the risks carers will be taking in removing their shoes in your home.

Look it's up to you. Either accept the carers on the terms set or do without them. 🤷‍♀️

People also grew up with relatives chain smoking in houses. Is that still OK?