Foot Care for People with Dementia
The aging process can affect your feet and ankles. As we age, our feet tend to flatten and get wider over time. The fatty padding under our feet also thins out with age and becomes vulnerable to damage. For senior citizens with dementia, it is especially essential for caregivers and loved ones to take proper care of their foot health.
Steps for Foot Care for the Elderly
- Inspect feet Regularly:
Make sure to keep the feet dry and clean and the toenails short. When inspecting the feet, look out for cuts, sores, blisters, callus, in-growing toenails, or anything else unusual. Any of these problems can make feet sore and uncomfortable and impair balance.
- Toenail Care:
Another crucial aspect of foot care is maintaining neat toenails. Overgrown toenails may hurt or make it difficult to walk properly. These foot care services may also be provided by podiatrists. Diabetics should be extra cautious; even a small cut could quickly escalate into a very serious issue.
- Proper Footwear:
Footwear plays a significant role in keeping your feet healthy and happy. Those with dementia may not be able to verbalize pain or discomfort very well. Finding the right pair of shoes can make a big difference for people with dementia in terms of mobility and independence. Get their feet measured. Wearing the wrong shoes can affect more than just comfort levels. They can irritate and result in foot problems as well as limit movement.
- Light Exercise:
The feet may be kept healthy by exercising them frequently. Walking is the best workout for the feet. Additionally, walking can help lower the risk of disease, strengthen the muscles and bones and your heart and according to studies could reduce the risk of dementia.
It might relieve some of your stress to have a professional assist your family members with their regular foot care regimen.
The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, have unparalleled experience treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors: Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, and Zeno Pfau, D.P.M., is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies, including the PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or want to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.
