Ageing takes a toll on the feet. Over time, feet flatten and become wider. The fatty padding naturally wears down, exposing the bones and joints of the feet to wear and tear. An injury as simple as a bad blister can impair mobility, balance, and overall function in older adults. Use these essential senior foot care tips to keep ageing feet healthy and reduce the risk of health issues indirectly caused by foot problems.
Keep feet clean: Good foot hygiene is critical to preventing fungal, viral, and bacterial infections – routine foot cleaning may need to happen outside the bath or shower. Making a regular habit of simple foot wipe-downs with warm water, soap, and a washcloth will do the trick.
Moisturise feet: Dry skin is more prone to cracking, flaking, and breaking, so moisturising is essential for preventing open foot sores. Foot cream should be applied after the feet have been thoroughly washed and dried. This ensures that moisture is locked in and helps keep skin soft and supple. Cover moisturised feet with breathable cotton socks for comfort and warmth.
Trim nails: Keeping toenails trimmed is an essential element of foot care. It can cause pain or interfere with stable walking if they get overgrown. Professional care may be required for seniors with health conditions that affect their feet, like diabetes.
Monitor sores: Did you know that a common location for bedsores is on the heels of the feet? Older adults who spend a lot of time in bed or a chair, continuously resting their feet on a surface like a pillow, footstool, or mattress throughout the day can result in pressure and skin irritation, leading to tissue breakdown. Prevent this potentially life-threatening condition by ‘floating the heels’ – propping the ankles up, so the feet rest suspended in the air without touching anything.
Get properly fitting footwear: Wearing shoes that are too small or too big can impact more than comfort levels – they can rub and cause blisters and other foot ailments, as well as impair mobility. In general, seniors should avoid wearing heels higher than one inch and find close-toe shoes that are comfortable and support their arch type, foot width, and ankles.
Address pain: Feet are often the first parts of the body to show symptoms related to conditions like arthritis and diabetic neuropathy. They can also be affected by injuries like plantar fasciitis. If an older adult experiences pain, tingling, numbness, stiffness, or inflammation in their feet or ankles, they should visit a doctor or podiatrist for a thorough exam as soon as possible.
Promote circulation: Older adults who suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or conditions that limit mobility may experience reduced circulation in their lower legs and feet. Circulation in senior feet can be improved with foot massages, elevating the lower legs when resting, and talking with their doctor about prescribing compression hose.