Regular Foot Care Is Essential For Seniors
Seniors who are living independently may need some help taking care of their hygiene and health-related tasks. Foot care is often difficult for seniors to do on their own because many seniors have trouble bending, reaching, or standing in positions that make foot care easier. Seniors also may be unable to grip lotion bottles or other items that they need for good foot care. Personal care at home services are a type of care designed to help seniors who live alone take care of hygiene tasks, like showering or foot care.
But without regular foot care, seniors run the risk of increasing the chances of developing serious health problems. Seniors who have diabetes need to practice good foot care to make sure they don’t develop ulcers on their feet and legs. Personal care at home is a great way to make sure that your senior parent has the help they need to shower, brush their teeth, wash their face, and take care of their feet every day.
If your senior parent isn’t taking good care of their feet, they could end up with problems like:
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are a very common problem for seniors. Athlete’s foot makes the skin between the toes itchy, red, and flaky. Toenail fungus causes nails to become thick, yellow, and brittle. These problems may not sound serious, but they can make walking painful and increase the chance of falls. Seniors living alone might not notice the signs right away, and without treatment, the infection can spread or lead to more discomfort.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. This can cause swelling, pain, and sometimes infection. Seniors who have trouble bending down to trim their nails properly are more likely to get ingrown toenails. If ignored, the area can become very sore and even require a doctor’s care.
Calluses and Corns
Calluses are thick, hard patches of skin, often found on the bottoms of the feet. Corns are smaller, raised bumps that usually appear on toes. Both are caused by too much pressure or friction, often from shoes that don’t fit well. For seniors, calluses and corns can make walking uncomfortable. They can also hide sores underneath, which can get infected if not treated. Living alone, a senior might not notice how bad they’ve gotten until it’s painful to walk.
Foot Ulcers
A foot ulcer is an open sore that doesn’t heal easily. Seniors with diabetes or poor circulation are especially at risk. Without regular foot checks, a small cut or blister can turn into an ulcer. These wounds can get infected and become very dangerous if untreated. In serious cases, they can even lead to hospitalization. Foot ulcers are one of the most preventable problems, but only if feet are checked daily for cuts, redness, or swelling. If your senior parent has diabetes, they should have personal care at home so that a care provider can do daily foot checks and foot care.
Poor Circulation and Swelling
As people age, blood doesn’t always flow as well to the feet. This can cause swelling, cold feet, or numbness. Poor circulation also slows down healing, meaning even a small scrape might take a long time to heal. Seniors who sit too long, don’t exercise, or have medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease are at higher risk. Ignoring swelling or numbness can hide more serious problems and make walking more difficult over time.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Personal Care at Home Services in the Olathe, KS area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City today.
Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in Missouri, as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.
Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.
Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.
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