It’s very easy to overlook foot care in the elderly. Attention more naturally falls to ‘bigger issues’ such as joints, illnesses and mental health. Stuck at the end of the body and hidden away in slippers we can all too easily forget how important it is for older people to have healthy feet, so in this article we consider why this is a crucial area and what you should do to ensure an elderly person in your care has tip-top toes!
The Benefits of Healthy Feet in the Elderly
Taking care of an elderly person’s feet and keeping an eye out for problems brings many benefits:
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Staying Active. Foot problems quickly reduce mobility. If it’s painful to walk then an elderly person will walk less. This reduces independence, limits exercise and risks the development of deep-vein thrombosis.
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Balance. Healthy feet improve balance in the elderly, thereby reducing the risk of falls.
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Early Warning Signs. Feet can actually help alert you to health problems at an early stage. Problems such as diabetes, arthritis, poor blood circulation and nerve damage can all have a noticeable effect on the feet or toenails.
How to Keep Feet Healthy
Getting into good habits and routines in relation to foot care will help keep your elderly parent’s feet in great shape, meaning their quality of life as a whole is maintained and even improved.
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Check Feet Regularly. At least twice a week and ideally more often make sure you or your parent checks their feet to prevent problems becoming established. Look for redness, bruises, sores, swelling, cuts, blisters and ingrown or infected toenails. You could buy a long-handled mirror to help your parent check for themselves if bending poses difficulties.
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Wash Feet Daily. Regular washing helps avoid infections and soreness, but make sure the feet aren’t soaking for longer than 10 minutes because this can cause the skin to dry and crack. When drying feet be sure to pat rather than rub and take care to dry properly between the toes. Talcum powder is helpful, especially if the feet are prone to sweatiness.
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Use Appropriate Lotions. Plenty of creams and moisturisers are available to help keep feet healthy, especially if they are cracked and callused. Make sure this is properly rubbed in and surplus doesn’t remain.
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Wear the Right Shoes. So many foot problems are caused by ill-fitting shoes, especially for women. Various brands are designed with the elderly in mind, providing comfort, grip and support.
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Socks Too! Just like shoes, badly fitting socks can cause problems. It’s best to avoid socks with elasticated tops as these can be irritating and restrict circulation. White socks will also make it easier to spot any blood or discharges.
The area which needs the most careful attention, however, is toenails, so we devote the rest of the article to this!
Caring for an Elderly Person’s Toenails
Toenail problems can be extremely debilitating and as with so many things, prevention is always better than cure.
According to Age Concern around one in three people over 65 cannot cut their own toenails. This means over two million people are potentially at risk from a number of problems.
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Ingrown Toenails. This occurs when the toenail curves downward and grows into the skin, usually at the side of the nail. This can cause swelling and pain. If the skin is broken this can then produce infection and problems are likely to be much more serious if the person has circulatory problems or diabetes.
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Fungal Infections. In the early stages there may be no discomfort, with only a thickening or discolouration of the nail, which can turn yellow/green. If fungal infections become established then the nail can fragment and even fall off. Walking can become difficult because of the pain.
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Thickened Toenails. This is known as onychogryphosis and is usually caused by a heavy object hitting the nail or through gradual damage over time. This can once again be painful, making walking a challenge.
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Overgrown Toenails. Untended nails can grow beyond the end of the toes and even start digging into the skin. Obviously this also affects walking.
Consequently it is crucial to keep toenails in good shape, but this is one of the first areas of personal care which elderly people find difficult because of the strains of bending. For this reason they need help.
There are many private chiropodists who will ensure your elderly parent’s feet are properly tended, though they’re not cheap – you should expect to pay around £25-£30 per session, depending on the area where you live. If you decide to use a private chiropodist make sure they are registered with the Health Professionals Council and a member of one of the following bodies:
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The British Chiropody and Podiatry Association
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The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
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The Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Depending upon the person’s state of health, chiropody services may be available free on the NHS. Usually this will be because the patient suffers from a specific medical condition, such as diabetes, and availability varies between regions. You should check with the person’s GP, who may be able to make a referral.
Alternatively,
Age Concern runs toenail cutting services in many areas. Trained professionals will deal with your feet and whilst there is still a charge it is considerably less than private chiropodists. You typically have to attend a centre, but for those with mobility problems a mobile service is usually available for a slightly greater charge.
If you want to deal with this yourself or your parent is still able to cut his or her own toenails, you should consider the following:
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Try to cut the toenails after a bath or soaking the feet as this softens the nails, making cutting easier
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Follow the shape of the toe when cutting. It is very important not to cut them too short, especially at the corners, because this can increase the likelihood of ingrown toenails.
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Nail clippers are often easier to use than scissors, enabling easier control and greater precision. This is particularly the case for the elderly themselves. Alternatively, long-handled scissors are available to help those who experience difficulty reaching down.
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After cutting you should use an emery board or nail file to smooth the nails.
Nobilis – Caring for the Community
As a leading provider of
in-home care, Nobilis has earned a strong reputation for looking after its clients. However, we believe in care across the whole community, which is why we have produced this information library to provide useful, practical guides for a range of issues which are important to the elderly and vulnerable.
If you have any issues relating to care about which you are still unsure the friendly Nobilis team is here to help. Feel free to call us for advice and if we can help, we will. No obligations, no charge, no hard sell – just honest advice from people who genuinely care.
Telephone – 0845 680 0225