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Category: Elderly Foot Care

10Aug

Swollen AnklesSwollen ankles in the elderly are known as lower extremity edema that often affects older adults. Foot edema is evident when the shoes become too tight or markings on the ankles from the socks. Swollen ankles are annoying and at risk of reduced mobility and skin breakdown, but what is happening inside the body? Although leg swelling is common, especially if you have been walking or standing for long, foot edema treatment is administered, if there is no known cause.

Read More “Swollen Ankles in The Elderly”
Close-up of elderly foot with skin issues, being examined by a healthcare professional.
23Sep

elderly foot care

Foot problems in the elderly develop due to the aging process, poor circulation, and systematic diseases. The common causes of pain are disability, skin problems, calluses, corns, and nails. They can lead to structural problems and disorders that can cause the seniors immobility for a while. When seeking geriatric foot care, consult a foot health specialist who can identify minor and serious foot problems and conditions, and treat them accordingly.

How to offer elderly foot care services

With aging, feet become wider and flatten because the fatty padding wears down. The joints and bones are exposed to tear and wear. There are elderly foot care services that are readily available for seniors.

  1. Maintain good feet hygiene

Whether an older adult needs help with bathes, the feet should be washed at least once a week. Maintaining foot hygiene prevents viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Foot cleaning can be done outside the shower. Regular foot wipe downs and foot massages promote relaxation and elevate blood circulation.

  1. Moisturize the feet

Older adults have drier skin that is more prone to breaking, flaking, and cracking that causes open foot sores. After thorough washing and drying the feet, apply a lotion that locks in moisture to keep the skin supple and soft. Cover the feet with cotton and acrylic blend socks for warmth and comfort.

  1. Toenail cutting service for the elderly

It is a crucial part of foot care because overgrown toenails interfere with mobility and cause pain. However, toenail cutting service should be done by a podiatrist for elderly especially, if the older adult has health conditions such as diabetes or dementia to avoid causing discomfort, fear, or paranoia.

DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center specializes in geriatric foot care treatment. Feel free to contact our office to book an appointment with our podiatrist. Our Houston foot specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide your elderly one with the care needed to keep them pain-free and on their feet.

  1. Regularly examine the feet

You need to closely monitor the senior’s feet and take note of any cracks, cuts, splinters, pressure sores, and blisters. The most common location for bedsores is on the heels of the feet. If the senior spends most time in bed or a chair, pressure or irritation on the skin can cause tissue breakdown. If these injuries do not show improvement within 24 hours, contact a specialist.

  1. Proper footwear

As I age, I also need to contact senior foot care near me in Houston to have my feet measured to get the right shoe sizes. Oversize or small size shoes affect the comfort levels of the feet that can cause blisters and other ailments that can impair mobility. The shoe heels should not be higher than 1 inch, and they should support the foot arch type.

Proper elderly foot care is given to non-diabetic and diabetic elderly patients. Minor foot abnormalities that are preventable may lead to severe foot problems if not attended to on time. Injuries can impair the function of the feet and cause mobility and balance issues to the elderly. Podiatrists are well trained to give foot care programs following the pathophysiology of foot injuries and provide nail care.

Close-up of elderly foot with skin issues, being examined by a healthcare professional.
2Aug

elderly foot care

How significant is elderly foot care? Elderly foot self-care is difficult due to internal factors related to aging and physical factors such as changes in nail structure. Poor foot health is not only by aging, but there might be some underlying health conditions. Foot health is promoted and maintained through self-care. Foot problems are prevalent in older people, but women are likely to suffer more. There has been an emphasis on people to adapt to their lifestyles and take control of their health to reduce the chances of developing aging health effects. With age, the fatty padding in the feet wears down, and the feet become wide as they flatten. These cause a simple injury to the feet, impair their function.

Senior Foot Care Tips

  1. Keep the feet clean

Elderly feet need thorough cleaning several times a week. The cleaning is done outside the bathroom to maintain good foot hygiene and prevent bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.

Use soap, warm water, and a washcloth. Cleaning the feet at night promotes relaxation.

  1. Moisturize the feet

The older we get, our skin becomes drier, leaving it vulnerable to open sores from breaking, cracking, and flaking of the skin. After thorough washing and drying the feet, use foot lotions that lock in moisture to keep the skin soft and supple.

  1. Toenail cutting for the elderly

Overgrown toenails interfere with stable walking. Toe trimming is an important practice for feet care. Nail care for the elderly can be done at home, but if they are paranoid or uncomfortable its best to visit a podiatrist since they offer elderly foot care services. The latter is encouraged, especially if the senior has underlying health conditions that may affect their feet. Visiting a podiatrist ensures feet problems are detected and dealt with in time.

If you are dealing with an elderly loved one with foot issues, you may want to seek help from a foot and ankle doctor. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

  1. Proper fitting footwear

Improper footwear has been identified as a major contributor to falls among seniors. The health of the feet is impacted by the footwear one wears. Shoes are important for security and balance when walking. Too tight or loose shoes can rub on the feet, causing blisters, sores, and other foot ailments which can easily impair your ability to walk.

The footwear should be comfortable to support your arch type and the heel should not be higher than 1 inch.

  1. Foot exercises

Seniors do not move around a lot, so foot exercises are the way to go. Encourage exercises that promote ankle flexibility and balance.

  1. Encourage wearing of socks

Seniors have poor circulation in their feet, so encourage wearing of breathable cotton socks for warmth and comfort.

Foot self-care and self-management should be encouraged to prevent foot problems for seniors. The elderly need to be advised, supported, and educated on how to maintain healthy feet. It is vital to visit a foot care professional regularly for medical pedicures and examination of the feet with recommendations on best foot-care practices.

Close-up of elderly foot with skin issues, being examined by a healthcare professional.
27Oct

Elderly Foot Care: Things You Must Know

Seniors frequently suffer from the problem of recurring foot pain that hinders their mobility, balance, and independence. Moreover, there are times when the symptoms of a systemic disease first appears in the feet itself. For all these reasons and more, the elderly need special care to be taken of their feet. And on that note, here are the seven things you must know in about elderly foot care.

elderly foot care

  1. Check the bottom of your feet

A considerable percentage of people who suffer from foot problems have diabetes. Blisters, calluses, cracks, splinters, and cuts on your feet should ideally start healing within a day. You need to contact your physician if they do not start healing.

  1. Choose to wear proper socks

Socks must not be too tight because that ends up inhibiting blood flow to your feet. Elderly people should not wear cotton socks as it does not come with moisture wicking properties. It is best to wear socks with acrylic blend because it absorbs moisture well.

  1. Cut the toenails properly

Ingrown toenails are one of the most common problems faced by the seniors. Coupled with the issues of circulation, it can lead to a need for amputation. Thus, while cutting toenails, it is important to file them straight across and rounding out at the edges.

  1. Wear shoes that fit

Most seniors tend to wear shoes that are too small for their feet and choose to overlook the slight discomfort that they feel. Over time, it can turn out to be a major problem for your feet and the constant, nagging foot pain would grow worse with time.

  1. Use a gentle moisturizer

It is common practice among seniors to moisturize their feet, as a part of Geriatric Foot Care, and it is actually a good habit. But, you need to make sure to use a gentle moisturizer and use it only on the bottom and top of your feet. Do not use moisturizer between your toes.

  1. Regular foot baths and foot massages

Foot massages and foot baths help the muscles in your feet relax. It is helpful in soothing dry skin and relieving bunions. Foot massages would help in improving circulations in your feet, and keep away the usual problems of foot pain and soreness.

  1. Monitor the sores

The heels of your feet are common places for bedsores because you tend to spend most of your time in a chair or bed, while resting your feet on a mattress or pillow. Doing this for a prolonged time leads to skin irritation and tissue breakdown. So, try to suspend your feet in the air from time to time by keeping a support underneath it.

Routinely following the suggestions mentioned above would help in keeping foot pain and other problems at bay, and ensure greater mobility. Consult a reliable and experienced foot specialist in Houston if there is any continued feeling of continuous pain and numbness in your feet.

11Feb

As you grow older, you will start to notice more problems with your feet due to wear and tear. This may also happen because the skin will start to become thin and lose elasticity. Some signs of aging feet are regular aches and pains, bunion development, and clawed toes.

Fortunately, there are ways you can improve comfort, relieve pain, and maintain mobility in your feet. One of the best ways to deal with aging feet is to exercise. If you keep active, your muscles will become toned which will then strengthen the arches in the foot and stimulate blood circulation.

It is important that you practice proper foot care to protect your aging feet. You should wash your feet in warm water on an everyday basis. Afterward, the feet need to be dried well and it is important to dry between the toes. Your toenails should be trimmed and kept under control; nails that are poorly cut may become ingrown. At the end of each day, performing an inspection of your feet will allow you to detect any ailments in their early stages.

As you grow older, it becomes more important that you wear comfortable shoes. Your shoes should be secure, and they should provide decent arch support. If you are looking to buy a new pair of shoes, it is best to look for a pair that are made from a breathable material. It is also helpful to have shoes that have a bit of extra room at the top of the shoe, especially if you suffer from swollen feet.

The most common foot problems that elderly people will encounter are bunions, calluses, corns, hammertoes, heel pain, and foot problems related to diabetes. Some other issues include arch pain, tarsal tunnel syndrome, Achilles tendonitis, and Morton’s neuroma

An annual foot examination is a great way for you to ensure that you do not have any serious health problems with your feet. You should talk to a podiatrist about the available treatment options for whichever foot issue you are dealing with.

Podiatrist examining elderly woman's foot for foot health.
9Jul

Elderly people may develop conditions concerning the feet as they age. There are several reasons why this may occur, including a loss of natural cushioning the foot possesses, poor circulation, and brittle nails. Some of these ailments may include athlete’s foot, dry skin, which may cause cracked heels, or additional uncomfortable conditions known as heel spurs and hammertoes. Research has shown that an important part of maintaining healthy feet is to choose shoes and socks that fit comfortably. It’s common for feet to get wider as we age, which makes it beneficial to have the feet routinely measured. It’s crucial for diabetic seniors to practice proper foot care, and this may possibly prevent wounds and cuts from becoming worse, which may be a result of a loss of sensation in the feet. If you would like additional information about how to care for elderly people’s feet, please consult with a podiatrist.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr.Eji Shobowale from DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

  • Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
  • Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
  • Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
  • Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
  • Shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Pressure sores
  • Loss of circulation in legs & feet
  • Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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