Appropriate_Click_36 t1_irmd7w2 wrote on October 9, 2022 at 11:01 AM

First of all, thank you. Working in an ALF can be brutally difficult. Really, thank you. Secondly, I don't think there are. You're right, BIFL boots for construction are totally different than the shoes you need. You might get bodily fluids all over them and getting all the feces or blood out of most shoes is nearly impossible. Danica and Crocs make work clogs you can Cavi-wipe but most people find them hard to get used to. Anything sneakerish will get wet, as you noted, and this ruins most shoes. They need to be very comfy and non-slip. I think this may be one instance where buying shoes that are comfortable and supportive are more important than BIFL. Buy the cheapest most comfy, supportive shoes you can (if you find a style and brand that works, buy as many pair as you can afford at one time) and be prepared to swap up for a new pair, as needed.

ImRealFunAtParties OP t1_irmftbw wrote on October 9, 2022 at 11:34 AM

Thank you. I hadn't considered how I'd get bodily fluids or feces out of a BIFL shoe or boot. When I get some on my sneakers, I hand wash them as best I can and let them dry in the sun. Thankfully, that has only happened three times. This last time happened day before yesterday and the worst. It involved getting a large (and strong!) dementia resident out of urine soaked clothes while avoiding the puddle of urine on the floor. Needless to say, my shoes ended up wet. This resident is notoriously difficult to get dressed and undressed. He doesn't understand and he fights you every step of the way. He's really a sweetheart and one of the nicest residents at the ALF. He just didn't understand that we needed to go to another room (which he refused outright to do and I didn't have time to gently coax him into going), needed to get away from the puddle (which I had some success but he kept going back to it while I was changing him), or that I'm there to help. To him, I'm just a stranger who's trying to make him go somewhere for no reason and get undressed then redressed again for no reason. I'm still new to working at an ALF, so it'll probably happen again and again.

I don't know if I want shoes that can take bodily fluids and keep on ticking for the long haul. Especially if I get feces on them. I't would probably be better for me to just get new shoes if I can find them cheap enough. I don't know. It's something to think about. If I can't get the urine out this time, then I probably have to get rid of these shoes. They were expensive and I just bought them. But I also really don't want to walk around in urine-covered shoes just to feel like I got my money's worth. I read somewhere that having multiple pairs of shoes can help them last longer. Maybe I should have a rotation? I'm not sure. Thank you again.

DJWoolyShambler t1_irnkx64 wrote on October 9, 2022 at 5:03 PM

Buying several comfortable sneakers and rotating absolutely sounds like the way to go for me. I definitely notice my shoes lasting longer this way.

Appropriate_Click_36 t1_irn0an0 wrote on October 9, 2022 at 2:40 PM

Yeah, it's tough. When you know you might have to wade through fluids, it can help to have a pair of shoe ponchos nearby to cover your expensive shoes : https://www.ninesmw.com/products/kikkerlandwaterproofshoeponchos?variant=.&utm_medium=google&utm_source=paid_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4omaBhDqARIsADXULuVbh79PDTCpQd9wg4Rb3wTPqHv8v0RZ0sMsvn9OmA-81cAlbyWpuQ8aAn8XEALw_wcB

PS, I hope you're in nursing school. Anyone who's as dedicated to patient well-being as you are is desperately needed all the way up the nursing chain and it's the only way to increase your income substantially and continue to care for our patients.