The Importance of Proper Foot Care and 7 Tips for Healthy Feet

Healthy feet are vital to people of all ages. Proper foot care plays an important role in maintaining balance, mobility, and independence. As such, it's necessary to understand the risks of ignoring foot health, as well as the simple ways to stay on top of it. Read on to learn more about the importance of foot care and some tips for maintaining clean and healthy feet!

Significance of Foot Care Among Senior Adults

Aging often causes adverse effects on foot health. Even so, with proper care and maintenance, you can keep them healthy for years to come! If you're a caregiver, you tend to have a long list of tasks to accomplish at hand. As such, it's easy to fall behind on foot care, among other out-of-sight tasks.

As one ages, feet tend to lose their shape and flatten. Sometimes, they enlarge or widen. Plus, the natural padding begins to wear off. Because of this, the feet's joints and bones are left vulnerable to impact and injury.

A simple injury like a blister can easily be enough to impair balance and mobility among senior adults. Neuropathy, sprains, skin breaks, fractures, and ingrown toenails are the perfect recipe for poor health conditions among older adults.
Thus, to avoid health conditions due to poor foot health, here are a few easy tips to keep your feet clean and healthy!

Care Tips for Clean and Healthy Feet

1. Keep Feet Clean

   Unfortunately, washing feet only during a bath or shower may not be enough to keep the feet clean and healthy. Conditions like bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can still affect them. That's why it's critical to keep a regular daily cleaning routine.

   You should wipe feet using a washcloth, soap, and warm water. Don't forget to clean between the toes. Then, thoroughly dry with a towel.

2. Trim Nails

   Trimming nails is among the crucial foot care tips. When they overgrow, they can hamper proper walking and even cause pain. However, regular nail trimming will help keep your feet healthy and comfortable.

   Unfortunately, some may find it challenging to reach their toenails or even bend over. Some podiatrists offer this service as part of their care package. However, if health conditions affecting the feet like diabetes are a factor, you should hire professional.

   Further, if you're caring for someone with conditions like dementia, nail trimming can provoke discomfort, paranoia, or fear. Therefore, try and provide them with a spa experience to ease the tension and help them relax. For starters, massage their feet before trimming. And if they have thick toenails, soak their feet in warm water first to soften them. You can even play their favorite music, movie, or show to distract them.
   
   Make sure you have the right tools for the job! Here's our favorite nail trimming set on Amazon!

3. Moisturize Feet

   Dry skin can lead to flaking, cracking, and even breaking. As such, keeping it moist helps prevent foot sores.

   After cleaning the feet, you should apply moisturizing lotion. This should help lock the moisture and prevent skin from drying. After that, put on cotton socks to keep the feet warm and comfortable.
   

4. Monitor Sores

   One of the common places on the body where bedsores develop first is the heels. Therefore, you should constantly monitor your feet to ensure they are free from sores. When seniors rest, whether on a chair or bed, their feet are constantly pressed against a surface.

   The surface could be a mattress, footstool, or pillow. Regardless, the pressure on their skin can cause irritation. And with time, tissues can begin breaking down. You can prevent this by keeping your heels afloat.

5. Promote Circulation

   Chronic illnesses such as peripheral artery disease and diabetes limit blood circulation in the feet and lower legs. As a result, one may develop blood clots, which is very dangerous. You can promote better blood circulation by elevating the feet and gently massaging them. Also, compression socks can be a helpful way to improve blood circulation to the feet! Click here to learn more about the benefits of compression socks! 

6. Address Pain

   The feet are the first part of the body to experience diabetic neuropathy and arthritis symptoms. Not to mention, they are also susceptible to plantar fasciitis, among other injuries. Thus, if you are experiencing inflammation, stiffness, numbness, tingling, and pain, visit a podiatrist. It's easier for them to combat the illnesses in the early stages than when it is established.

7. Wear Proper Footwear

   The overall health of your feet relies on the type of footwear you wear. When last did you visit a foot specialist before buying a pair of shoes? Well, the size and style of shoes affect their comfort levels. For instance, putting on big or small shoes means your feet can rub against them, developing blisters as a result.

   With time, your feet can develop sores or ailments that can affect your mobility. Therefore, you need footwear that perfectly fits your feet to avoid these ailments. Click here to learn more about how to find the right shoe for you, plus great recommendations! 

Getting Started

As a caregiver, you can leverage the above tips to prioritize the health and well-being of an older adult. As mentioned earlier, any condition that affects the feet is bound to affect one's overall health. As a senior, you can leverage the above tips to care for your feet. They will help you maintain your mobility and independence. However, if you can't reach your toes due to poor flexibility, ensure you get help. The steps you take today to maintain proper foot care will pay off for years to come!