How much time do you spend checking your elderly family member’s feet regularly? If you’re like most caregivers, you might not be spending as much time as you need to be.
Keep Feet Clean and Dry
Feet can be a difficult part of your senior’s body for her to keep clean on her own. If her mobility is limited, she may not be able to bend over to do what needs to be done. Feet are prone to fungal problems, viral infections, and bacterial issues. Checking and cleaning in between toes and making sure that feet are completely dry is a crucial step in making sure they’re healthy.
Make Sure Her Shoes Fit Well
Your senior’s shoes are another key part of keeping them healthy. Foot size can change dramatically over the span of her life, so you need to make sure that your senior’s shoes still fit her properly. If they’re too tight or too loose, those can each create problems. The toe box needs to have plenty of room and the heel should cup without sliding up and down the back of your senior’s foot.
Keep Nails Trimmed
Nails are another problem. If they’re too long, they can get sharp and cut your senior’s toes. This can open the way for infections to become a huge problem and no one wants that. When you trim her toenails, make sure that you cut them straight across. If you trim them in the round, they’re more likely to become ingrown. Use a file to remove any sharp edges after cutting her nails.
Watch for Pain or Sores
Pain, sores, and even redness can be an indication that there’s something wrong. Make sure that you mention these issues to your senior’s doctor as soon as you notice them. In some cases, your senior might need to see a podiatrist to deal with any major problems. Neglecting foot issues can lead to huge problems down the line, especially if your elderly family member has circulatory problems. Her feet can be the first warning sign that something else is going on.
Keeping up with foot care is something that elderly care providers can help you with, too. Whether you live too far away to handle this or you’re unsure what to do, they can help. Foot care is far more important to your senior’s overall health than you might have realized, so having someone paying attention is crucial.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Lockwood, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
