Most people don’t think about their feet too much and don’t think about other people’s feet, but if you are the caregiver of an elderly loved one, caring for her feet is an important part of helping her to stay healthy and active. They might be covered up for most of the day, but daily foot care is essential to prevent illness and injury. Personal care at home services can help.
Five Steps Toward Healthier Feet for Your Loved One
- Wash feet daily: Washing feet helps get rid of bacteria and dirt that may have settled into the grooves and cracks of the feet each day (even if she wore shoes all day). It also provides the opportunity to examine the feet for any injuries or blisters that need attending.
- Wear proper shoes: Wearing improperly fitting shoes can lead to pain and damage to the feet. Shoes should be reviewed every six months or so to make sure they are still in good condition and fit her feet well. If a shoe has a worn-out sole or no longer fits well, it should be tossed.
- Keep circulation healthy: As a person ages, it’s natural for the circulation to the feet to decrease. Your loved one can increase circulation by performing daily foot stretches as well as keeping her feet elevated when resting.
- Moisturize regularly: The skin of the feet is often dry and rough. Applying lotion daily will help prevent any cracks or tears in the skin from occurring.
- Keep toenails healthy: Correctly trimming toenails (always straight across and no shorter than the tip of the toe) will prevent ingrown toenails and possible infection.
Health Conditions That Can Cause Foot Problems
If your loved one has any of these health conditions, routine foot care and examination are especially important to catch any possible problems at the onset before they have done too much damage.
- Arthritis in the feet, such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis
- Diabetes can lead to poor circulation and a loss of nerve function in the outer parts of the body, such as the feet.
- Kidney disease can lead to fluid buildup in the feet, stretching skin and causing possible tears along with discomfort.
- Arteriosclerosis or a hardening of the arteries can lead to poor circulation in the legs and feet, making them susceptible to nerve damage.
Foot Care Assistance from Personal Care at Home
If you are unable to check on your loved one’s feet each day to review them for possible health issues, and if your loved one is unable to do it herself due to physical or cognitive limitations, having personal care at home providers provide regular foot care can help her avoid many foot maladies.
With a provider who can offer personal care at home services, your loved one will have someone who visits her regularly and can help with her daily foot care. This can help her keep them clean by assisting with washing her feet properly. Or, your loved one’s personal care at home provider might help by assisting with nail care and keeping toenails trimmed and cleaned properly.
Finally, while a provider of personal care at home isn’t medically trained, they always offer a great second pair of eyes to notice anything that might warrant immediate observation from her doctor, so those issues will get treated quickly and properly.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Personal Care at Home in Alamo, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
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