Healthy feet are essential for healthy aging, yet three out of four people develop foot problems as they age.
Why are healthy feet so important?
Healthy feet allow you to be active which, as we know, has numerous benefits like keeping weight off, maintaining and improving muscle and bone strength, as well as improving our emotional and mental health.
Feet that are healthy allow for proper foot and body mechanics which help prevent falls in seniors. Falls are a major cause of disability in seniors. Proper foot care can alert people to early signs of other more serious health issues such as diabetes or poor circulation.
What you can do:
- Check your feet daily and keep an eye out for blisters, reddening, cracks or pressure points.
- Be sure to wear wide, high-sided shoes with flat heels, relatively rigid soles and soft uppers.
- When buying shoes make sure that they don’t rub or pinch your feet in any way.
- Wear seamless socks with a high cotton content and change them daily.
- Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water (37° C up to 38° C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
- The drier your feet are, the more frequently you should apply foot care products to them.
- To moisturize your feet, use foot- care lotions or mousse that contain urea.
- Do not use baby oil, zinc ointments, greasy ointments or powder.
- Do not cut your toenails with sharp nail scissors but file them straight.
- Use a pumice stone not a callus-removing tool to get rid of rough skin and calluses. Regular medical foot care by a Foot care Nurse is even more effective.
