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Posts for category: Seniors Foot Care

By Crofton Podiatry
January 16, 2019
Category: Seniors Foot Care
Tags: corns   calluses   Orthotics   Ulcers   arthritis   Hammertoes   Diabetic   ingrown   odor   neuromas   foot exams   rashes   exercises   swollen  

As older loved ones age, it’s even more important that caregivers look to taking care of the feet. With age comes many complex health issues, including ones that affect mobility like arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, diabetes, and heart problems. In some cases, the feet can be the first to experience issues associated with many of these problems, even pointing you in the right direction when it comes to a diagnosis.

Here are some ways to care for senior feet and why they are important:

  • Regular hygiene – It’s important to wash the feet with soap and warm water every day to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. If the skin tends to get dry, apply some moisturizer. Keep in mind that even if seniors are not as active, the feet can sweat and develop an unpleasant odor due to bacteria.
  • Frequent foot exams – While helping your loved one wash up, inspect for any new skin issues, like cuts, scrapes, rashes, skin breakdown, or even ulcers. Depending on other health issues he or she might have, their skin may have trouble healing properly, or even feeling that there is a problem. For example, diabetic patients may begin to lose feeling in their feet due to diabetic neuropathy. This is caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the nerves. If you don’t pay attention, a wound can become an infected ulcer, requiring immediate treatment.
  • Proper toenail trimming – Toenails need to be cut straight across. Otherwise, they may become ingrown and cause pain. Additionally, allowing them to get too long can cause them to break and cause pain.
  • Daily exercises – Keeping feet strong and flexible is part of keeping them healthy. Encourage foot exercises, which will help reduce the risk of falls and also increase circulation in the feet. Seniors who are mostly sedentary are prone to swollen feet, and moving the feet can reduce that risk.
  • Make sure the shoes fit – Make sure that they are wearing the correct sized shoes so that they don’t have to worry about painful toe conditions like hammertoes, neuromas, or corns and calluses. If they have a foot deformity requiring special shoes, bring them in to get custom orthotics.

Regular checkups with our podiatrist should also be a part of that care. Remember, the feet can often indicate a larger health issue. Make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Brad Toll to help you find treatment for your older loved ones’ foot conditions. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
May 09, 2018
Category: Seniors Foot Care

As older loved ones continue to age, there are more and more things to worry about. From regular and more frequent doctor visits to keeping track of daily medications, seniors need a lot of support to continue to lead healthy lives.

Body parts also change and behave differently, including our skin, bones, joints, and muscles – and yes, even those parts of the feet. And that means that senior feet might need more attention, such as different footwear and some lifestyle changes.

Foot Wear

  • A good, comfortable, supportive pair of shoes could mean less foot and joint pain.
  • Shoes should match the environment in which they are used to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Use footwear with smooth outer soles on carpeted surfaces and use footwear with anti-slip grip outer soles on smooth, slippery surfaces.
  • Compression socks can help those who have problems with reduced circulation in the feet, from diabetes or other circulatory issues.

Foot Care

  • Inspect the feet daily. Foot problems can become harder to spot as senses begin to dull. Get into the habit of helping seniors check their feet for any changes in the skin, toenails, or foot structure (e.g. bunions, hammertoes).
  • Use softly padded mats around the house, wherever seniors stand for a long time, such as in front of the bathroom and kitchen sinks.
  • Install safety bars in bathrooms to prevent falls or trips getting in and out of the tub, or off the toilet.
  • Foot massagers or foot soak machines can help increase circulations in the feet and give relief for painful symptoms from overuse, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
  • Continue to exercise and eat a nutritious diet to prevent problems and maintain foot health. Incorporate foods that are good for bones and soft tissues, like dairy (calcium), salmon (omega-3 fatty acids), and plenty of fruits and vegetables (vitamins and enzymes).

Senior feet need special care. Make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your foot care needs. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
August 25, 2016
Category: Seniors Foot Care

As our loved ones get older, they have a harder time keeping balance and being aware of their surroundings. Balance, or lack thereof, is a key reason for the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older people - Falls. That is why proper, supportive footwear is important for protecting our seniors to keep them healthy and mobile.

The ability to move about and be independent can play a huge part in the lifestyle of an older adult. Not only is mobility helpful to seniors, but to their loving caregivers as well. While there are many risks for older adults’ falls, including brittle bones, slippery floors, and loss of balance, supportive footwear can reduce the risk level.

So what makes supportive footwear for older adults?

  • Arch and Heel support: Make sure that the heel is stiff, but cups the heels of your feet comfortably. The insoles should have flexible cushiony support, but the outer soles of the shoes should not be easily bent in half.

  • Toebox: The toebox should not be too wide, narrow, flat, or tall. Your toes should have room to wiggle, but not enough that the front of the shoes feel like they flop around. You should be able to tie laces comfortably enough that they are snug, but not restricting so that you feet do not slide around.

  • Outer rubber soles: Take into consideration the environment in which you will be walking the most. For smooth surfaces, the rubber soles should have a good grip. For carpeted areas, the grippy soles could be a hazard that causes trips.

  • Feet should be measured each time you buy shoes as foot sizes can change. Weight changes, and especially for diabetic patients, there can be fluctuations in swelling.

  • When trying on new shoes, they should feel comfortable and secure. Thinking that they may feel better when broken can be deceptive, especially if you plan to wear these shoes right away.

If you are unsure about footwear for seniors, your best bet is to go to a podiatrist. Our board-certified foot doctor, Brad Toll, DPM, at Crofton Podiatry will be more than happy to assist you with your foot support needs. We know how important it is to keep your older loved ones protected and mobile, so make an appointment to come see us at our Crofton, MD office! Call us today at (410) 721-4505.

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2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

Podiatrist - Crofton, Crofton Podiatry, 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25, Crofton MD, 21114 (410) 721-4505