A geriatric podiatrist offers the elderly foot care treatment. Search for information on the internet to get ‘senior foot care near me.’Podiatrists are known for treating foot and ankle problems and for rehabilitation abilities. Elderly foot care also known as geriatric foot care that is a specialized foot care service for seniors. Older people have their feet go through natural wear and tear, leaving them susceptible to deformity and injury. Do not ignore foot pain because there is nothing like normal foot pain as we get older. The feet are the first indicators of circulatory disease, diabetes, or arthritis.
Geriatric foot issues can be very uncomfortable to live with. For elderly foot care services, contact the podiatrist at DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
The four-foot care treatments for the elderly include:
Toenail trimming
Toenail trimming is crucial for foot health and should be correctly done. In young people, it is okay to take a nail clipper and trim the toenails. However, through age, the toenails grow thick and become hard to trim, prompting using the safe procedure. It is advisable to soak the toenails first and using sanitized nail clippers, trim the toenails straight across. This procedure also helps to prevent ingrown toenails.
Diabetic foot care
Most aging adults have underlying health problems and diabetes is one of them. Diabetic patients need close and special attention to the feet because of decreased blood circulation. Diabetes causes damage to blood vessels making it harder for wounds to heal. This means any injury to the feet can turn out to be very severe and cause serious infections. Be careful when trimming the toenails so that the feet are not injured. The podiatrist will encourage wearing socks and shoes always and performing exercises to promote blood circulation to the feet.
Infections
The older we get the more our immunity goes down and the body is at risk of fungal and other infections. When the toenails are not regularly trimmed fungal infections can hide underneath the toenail and eventually spread to other toes. This can cause more foot-related problems and it is not advisable to use over-the-counter options. Visit the podiatrist’s office as soon as you notice thickening of the toenails, discoloration, or deformity.
Fallen arches or flat feet
It is common in older adults because with time the arches fall. When one stands the arch of the foot may not be as strong as it always has been. The fallen arch may be associated with knee pain and one should visit a podiatrist for professional care.
When caring for an elderly person ensure that the toenail length is short and blisters or cuts are taken good care of to avoid infections. The skin ages and gets thinner leaving it susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. The skin becomes dry with age and can cause cracks in the heels or toes which can be an entry point for infections. Look out for any swelling of the feet that could be an indication of underlying health problems such as diabetes or circulatory issues or an injury to the feet.