Her feet are your senior’s foundation. When she has problems with her feet, that’s likely to cause other problems for her, too.
She’s Wearing the Wrong Shoes
If your elderly family member’s shoes aren’t the right size or style, her feet can bear the brunt of that decision. Many people don’t realize that foot size changes over time. Your elderly family member may actually wear a different size shoe than she used to wear, making her current shoes the wrong ones for her.
Or She’s Not Wearing Shoes at All
A similar problem presents itself if your elderly family member doesn’t wear shoes at all. Some people really don’t enjoy wearing shoes, but good shoes support the foot and therefore the entire rest of your senior’s body. They also help to give her the right amount of traction. If she doesn’t enjoy wearing shoes, help her try to find a pair that are comfortable for her.
She’s Experiencing Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that is common in extremities, like the feet. It causes a loss of sensation, which is extremely dangerous. Wounds can very easily form on your senior’s feet and if she doesn’t know they’re there, the infection can spread. Home care providers can help your elderly family member to keep her feet clean and dry while also inspecting them regularly for any wounds that need treating.
Arthritis or Other Health Issues Are a Problem
Arthritis doesn’t just affect the upper body. It also can impact your senior’s ankles and feet, which makes walking incredibly painful and even difficult. Your elderly family member might also find that her feet swell, making it difficult for her to wear shoes during a flare.
She’s Avoiding Walking
That old expression about “use it or lose it” is really accurate, especially for older adults. If your elderly family member is avoiding walking for whatever reason, she may find that her feet have difficulty supporting her when she needs them to do so. Even walking a little bit on a regular basis can help prevent this issue.
Work with your elderly family member’s doctor to determine what is behind her foot pain and issues. From there you can develop solutions that work for her lifestyle. Pain in her feet and trouble walking can have a huge impact on your senior’s overall mood, so this is an important issue for you to address for her.”
Hiring a senior care in-home service provider can help with taking your senior to see her doctor or help to get her up and moving to keep her feet healthier. Call an agency today.
