FOOT CARE TIPS FOR THE AGING FOOT

Seniors: the Elder Flowers of our society; there's wisdom in their eyes and experience in their steps. The elderly contribute to us in so many ways, from volunteering their time to the community, and babysitting our children, to guiding us with their long-accumulated wisdom. It's no wonder we want them to be happy, autonomous, balanced, and well-cared for. 

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 3 out of 4 people develop serious foot problems as they age, and many people are led to believe that this is a natural consequence of aging. But the truth is that seniors are more likely to neglect foot care and as a consequence, are much more likely to develop common foot conditions that compromise the necessary conditions for healthy aging.

Feet that are healthy and pain-free contribute to an enhanced sense of well-being, personal autonomy, and a greater quality of life. Additionally, healthy feet maintain good balance, prevent falls, and keep the elderly active. On that note, i want to share 5 simple ways we can help the elderly in our family and in our society to maintain conditions for the healthy, aging foot.

5 Simple Foot Care Interventions For the Healthy, Aging Foot.

1. Check Feet Daily

This one is easy to do and oh so easy not to do. Take a few minutes each day to help the senior member of your family visually inspect all angles of the foot. We suggest you contact us if notice any of the following: 

Sores, cuts, delayed wound healing, infected toenails, and/or any blisters. Prevention is the best strategy, however, early interventions can significantly minimize the long-term risk associated with common foot problems.

2. Keep Feet Smooth and Soft

As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. After washing the feet, apply a high-quality foot cream to hydrate and soften the cracks on the soles. It is important to avoid applying any lotion in-between the toes to avoid the accumulation of excess moisture.

To mechanically soften the excessive build-up of calluses, we recommend that you avoid doing this yourself and that you see a Certified Foot Care Nurse since common conditions such as neuropathy can diminish sensation resulting in injury and Foot Care nurses typically use single-use or sterilized tools for infection prevention purposes.

3. Keep Toe-Nails Trimmed

Did you know that keeping toenails trimmed and filed directly prevents falls in our elderly and therefore, reduces the rates of hospitalization?

Toenails that are trimmed allow footwear to fit better, prevent snagging, and foster better hygiene practices.

To trim toenails, cut straight across the edge of the nail and file the corners to smoothen. Cutting the edges at an angle versus straight across can cause ingrown toenails. 

4. Wear Proper Footwear

Footwear size can change for the elderly as the aging foot can often become longer and wider. Most communities have specialty shoe stores with complimentary shoe fittings so be sure to visit them! Also, we don't know who needs to hear this but it's a great idea to change socks daily!

Protip: Shop for shoes in the evening to account for swelling during the day!

5. Choose Activity Everyday

It is NEVER, EVER too late to start incorporating gentle exercises such as walking into your foot care routine. Gently exercises such as walking build strength, flexibility and promotes circulation. Another benefit of gentle exercise is improved balance and you know we love improved balance to maintain seniors' independence and autonomy!

Those are just some of the many ways you can help your loved one age beautifully. They are simple, they are effective, and they are necessary interventions. 

In-Home Foot Care Nurse in Edmonton

Over time, you may come across situations where simple interventions are no longer effective and your loved one's foot care needs are beyond your scope. Find out how we can help when you start to notice any of the following:

• Infected toenails (signs and symptoms: tenderness, heat, purulent drainage)
• Delayed healing of sores/wounds 
• Diminished sensations
• Pain during mobilizing.

** We recommend receiving foot care from a certified nurse every 6-8 weeks.

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