As seniors age, family members often try to get them to take better care of themselves, but seniors often neglect proper foot care. Unhealthy feet could be the sign of diabetes, heart disease, and several other conditions, and they can even lead to poor mobility. Luckily, there are several ways seniors can keep their feet healthy.
Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar
Over time, diabetes can lead to nerve damage throughout the feet. Nearly 70 percent of diabetics develop nephropathy, which leads to numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in their feet. Diabetics are also more susceptible to infections in the feet, which can lead to amputation. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can prevent these problems.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Check Regularly for Problems
Check your loved one’s feet for signs of infection such as sores, blisters, bruises, discoloration, or anything else that doesn’t look normal. If you spot something that can’t be explained, consult a doctor immediately.
Wear Proper Shoes & Socks
Your loved one should always have access to comfortable shoes and socks. Avoid anything that’s too tight, as it can cut off circulation or lead to blisters on the feet. Have your loved one try on new shoes before making a purchase to ensure a proper fit.
Pay Close Attention to Feet during Bath or Shower Time
Let your loved one soak his or her feet for about 10 minutes before taking a bath, as it removes dead skin. Just make sure the temperature of the water is balanced. For seniors who have nephropathy, scalding can be a serious issue. Make sure your loved one washes his or her feet with mild soap and uses a pumice stone to exfoliate any remaining dry skin. Afterward, make sure your loved one dries his or her feet and applies a moisturizing foot cream.
Keep Toenails Trimmed
Keeping the toenails trimmed is important for many reasons. Short nails don’t leave room for bacteria to hide, shoes and socks fit better when nails are short, and long nails can cause cuts and bruises. Make sure to cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails, and use clippers instead of scissors.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Edmonton seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
Promote Good Circulation
Many seniors have poor blood circulation in their feet, but there are some things you can do to boost circulation. Soaking your loved one’s feet in a warm foot bath with Epsom salt may help, along with foot and lower leg massages. Getting at least 30 minute of cardiovascular exercise each day can also increase circulation throughout the entire body.
Edmonton home care service professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (780) 490-7337 today.