Think about what a foot does. It’s the body part that takes the full body weight with each step. It’s key to mobility and balance. When foot pain appears, it’s a problem. It can make it hard for an older adult to move around. If it impacts balance, it may lead to a fall. To make sure foot pain doesn’t affect balance and mobility, you need to pay close attention to foot care.
Four Important Steps in Foot Care
What are the four most important steps when it comes to helping your parents with foot care? First, the feet need to be washed regularly. You want to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin. Make sure you wash between the toes and get any lint and dirt that build up there and under the nails.
Second, dry the feet completely. Make sure to dry between the toes, too. This will keep bacteria or yeast from growing in the moist skin. While drying them, look for any cracks, scratches, sores, or cuts. If there are any, add an antibiotic cream and bandage to help keep them clean while they heal.
Third, cut the toenails if they’re getting long. Use toenail clippers and cut straight across the nail. You don’t want to cut them so short that you clip skin, but you don’t want them to be too long either. If the nails are too long, they could dig into neighboring toes when you put on shoes.
Fourth, apply a moisturizer that’s good for feet. You want a cream that absorbs into the skin. You don’t want one that’s so thin and watery that it doesn’t add much moisture. If you don’t want to buy a perfumed cream, coconut oil is a great moisturizer. Put socks on to keep the moisturizer from rubbing off on the flooring.
Make Sure Shoes Fit Correctly
Make sure that your parents have shoes that fit correctly. Worn soles or shoes that are too small will increase the risk of foot pain. Go to a shoe store that offers professional fittings. It’s better to take the time to get the right size and width than to guess and hope for the best. If the shoes rub, it’s going to lead to blisters and cause foot pain.
Do you live too far away to help your parents with foot care? That’s exactly why you should look into senior care services. Caregivers spend time with your parents as often as they’d like. In addition, to help with grooming and foot care, they’ll have help with other aspects of daily living like meals, transportation, and companionship. Talk to a senior care specialist to learn more about personal care and grooming services.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Los Gatos, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
