Preserving Autonomy Through Foot Health: a Study on the Acceptability of a Program Including Various Workshops for the Elderly

Préserver Son Autonomie Par la santé du Pied : Etude d'acceptabilité d'un Programme Incluant différents Ateliers Chez Les Personnes âgées

Every year in France, 2 million falls by people over 65 are responsible for 10,000 deaths, the leading cause of accidental death, and more than 130,000 hospitalizations.

The investigators will combine minimalist footwear, plantar massage, and workshops to re-learn walking and posture. The main objective of this study is to verify the acceptability and feasibility of this program among the elderly.

Study participants will benefit from a plantar massage session (5-10 min massage performed by a podiatrist) and one posture and walking workshop per week, also supervised by the podiatrist. Minimalist shoes have been purchased by the centers and used during the workshops. They will also be available to participants outside the workshops for the duration of the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• People over 65 years of age
• Able to walk independently with or without a walking aid (cane, walker, etc.)
• Persons affiliated with a social security system or assimilated
• Persons (participants, guardians, or curators where applicable) who have been informed and have given their written consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• People with a contraindication to wearing minimalist shoes
• Persons unable to participate in the various workshops
• Refusal to participate in research
• Persons under court protection
• Persons unable to walk
• Persons with any other contraindication at the investigator's discretion