With old age, being and remaining healthy becomes a priority. Older adults get preoccupied with issues such as heart disease or dementia. With things like this, they forget about a crucial part of their bodies. We are talking about the feet. The lower end of our legs can produce many issues for the elderly. If seniors have troubles with their feet, they can become housebound or even immobile. In more severe cases, results can be fatal. Because of this, older adults need to prioritize foot health.
Common Foot Problems for Seniors
Many seniors experience foot issues. These problems can vary from bunions to hammertoes. Some seniors can have issues with their feet due to diabetes. This development is not at all uncommon. The most common foot problems include:
- Pain in the heel region
- Ingrown toenails
- Corns – This condition is the appearance of thickened skin between toes and on the soles of the feet. It can be extremely painful.
- Calluses – This state is similar to corns. They appear if we walk too much or wear inadequate footwear.
- Bunions – A bunion is a bump formed on the big toe.
- Deformities
Most of the conditions mentioned above can cause immobility. If they appear when you have different mobility problems, they can render you completely unable to walk. Some people even end up in a wheelchair. But luckily for all the elderly people in the world, all of these foot issues can be treated. By adopting corresponding foot care treatments, most older adults can avoid finding themselves in this situation.
Foot Care for the Elderly
Issues with feet are not only tied to heels and toes. They can happen on any part of the foot. Because of this, older adults need to consider various treatments.
Some of the signs that foot issues are on the way include discoloration of the foot or toenails, sores, and wounds that are not healing fast enough. Also, tingling and burning sensations in the feet are clear signs of upcoming issues.
If your loved one starts complaining about any of these symptoms you need to take them to see a dermatologist. It is essential for the doctor to determine that these signs are not a product of diabetes.
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Once you know that diabetes isn’t causing the trouble, you need to start taking better care of your feet. Here is a list of things that you need to be sure to do:
- Elevate your feet while seated. For this, you can use a footstool.
- When drying feet, be sure to dry them thoroughly.
- Both shoes and socks need to be a size that suits your feet.
- Regularly trim your toenails.
- After washing your feet, be sure to put some lotion on them.
One of the most critical parts of foot care is the nail care. Nails are also prone to causing pain and discomfort. If nails are not properly trimmed, they can cause ingrown nails or even an infection. The best time to cut nails is right after a bath or a shower when they are softer to cut. As the years start to pile up, it becomes more difficult to take proper care of your feet. Because of this, seniors should consider hiring a caregiver to take care of their feet.
Many people ignore foot pain, but they really shouldn’t. Foot pain can lead to various severe conditions. Older adults that experience pain in their feet should see a doctor straight away.
The quality of a senior’s life depends on good feet. In old age, it only becomes more important. Taking care of feet isn’t a tricky task, so everyone should do it. It’s all about maintenance.
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