Foot Care for Seniors Part 1

Your foot is one of the most used parts of your body. You walk; you stand; you run; you hike. Your feet has to support the entire weight of your body for sometimes hours a day repeatedly, 365 days a year with no rest except when you’re physically sick. It makes sense then that all those years can take their toll.

AllCare Foot & Ankle Center is Dallas’ and Arlington’s foot and ankle health experts. We care about helping seniors care for their feet as they age. In this blog post, we’ll go over some helpful tips specifically for seniors for foot care. Contact us today!

TIPS FOR FOOT CARE FOR SENIORS

• Wear the right shoes. Many of us simply go to the shoe store, and spend a grand total of maybe 10 minutes finding a pair of shoes that “fit”. But how good do they fit? And just because they fit, do they have the right support structure? AllCare Foot & Ankle Center in Arlington suggests going to a shoe store with staff that can measure your feet and help you choose the proper footwear. Have your foot measured, as your foot size can change with age. Go in the late afternoon or evening after you’ve been walking around for a while. Most of us have one foot slightly larger than the other. Choose a shoe that fits the slightly larger foot. Make sure your shoe is not too tight or too small. If your foot is sliding around in your shoe, then you can develop blisters. You should have half an inch from the heel of your shoes to the top when you are standing. Seniorsshould avoid high heels and stick to closed-toed shoes, which helps to prevent falls since they have more surface area to grip the ground with.
• Keep your toenails trimmed. It can be harder as you age to reach your toes in order to trim them properly if you have mobility constraints. If this is the case, seek assistance from a spouse, a child, or a senior care assistant. A podiatrist such as the foot doctors at AllCare Foot & Ankle Center can trim your toes properly (straight across and not too short). Taking care of your toenails will prevent ingrown toenails, which are painful and can interfere with walking.
• Keep your feet clean. Clean feet is essential to preventing infections, such as fungus, viruses, and bacteria, who thrive in dirty environments. As seniors age, they may take less showers and baths than otherwise simply due to the fact that it’s harder for them to do so. If this is the case, investing in simply wiping down the feet at night (which can be added to a senior’s bedtime routine) can suffice.
• Moisturize. Skin needs moisture content in order to stay healthy, soft, and smooth. By regularly moisturizing your feet, you’ll help prevent cracking, flaking, and breaking, which is not only painful, but could be the beginning of a more serious infection. Seniors are more prone to dry feet and open sores. The podiatrists at AllCare Foot & Ankle Center in Arlington recommend applying moisturizer immediately after your shower or bath in order to lock in moisture content, and then put on breathable cotton socks for added protection and moisture retention. This will help keep your free soft and warm and is another great addition to your bedtime routine.

AllCare Foot & Ankle Center in Arlington cares about your feet. For seniors, wear and tear can over the years definitely take their toll. With falls being the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors, you need to be able to walk without pain, sores, warts, bunions, or other foot problems. See your podiatrist regularly to check your feet for any problems that may cause problems walking. Contact us today!