As our feet grow older, they naturally develop more problems. But painful and uncomfortable feet are not a natural part of growing old, or something to ‘put up with’.
A lot can be done to improve comfort, relieve pain and keep you on your feet for life.
The condition of our feet often provides early indications of conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and circulatory disease. For this reason, the human foot is sometimes called the ‘mirror of health’.
Look out for signs such as dry skin, brittle nails, burning and tingling sensations, feelings of cold, numbness, and discoloration. Always seek the opinion of your podiatrist when any of these signs occur.
As we age, our feet tend to spread and lose the fatty pads that cushion the bottom of the feet. If we are carrying extra weight, this can also affect the bone and ligament structure.
Many people, including older people, believe that it is normal for feet to hurt, and simply resign themselves to enduring foot problems which could be treated.
There are more than 300 different foot conditions. Some are inherited, but for older people, most stem from the impact of years of use. However, even among people in their retirement years, many foot problems can be treated successfully, and the pain of foot conditions relieved.
Older people should have their feet measured for shoe sizes more frequently, rather than presuming that their shoe sizes remain constant. Dry skin and brittle nails are other conditions older people commonly face.
Taking good care of your foot health has many benefits including increasing your comfort, limiting the possibility of additional medical problems, reducing your chance of hospitalisation due to infection, and keeping you active and mobile.
Mobility can be a problem for older people, yet with basic footcare, and the prompt attention to any problems, getting around shouldn’t be restricted by painful feet.
Podiatrists provide services designed to help keep older people on their feet, serving in hospitals, community health centres and nursing homes, as well as in private practice.
Keeping nails cut and under control will help keep you mobile. Yet a lot of elderly people find cutting toenails a problem, due to poor eyesight or difficulties in bending down.
If you can cut them yourself, make sure you cut them so they are slightly curved just short of the end of the toe, using a strong pair of nail clippers. After clipping, smooth nails with a file or emery board, using downward strokes.
Your podiatrist will be able to cut even heavily overgrown or thick nails painlessly, and advise on appropriate self-care.
Text reproduced with permission from the Australasian Podiatry Council
