Healthy Aging Month: Senior Foot Care Tips
We spend our whole lives on our feet, so it’s important to focus on footcare for seniors—all that pressure adds up as we age. So, since September marks Healthy Aging Month, Westfield, IN podiatrist Dr. David Sullivan is devoting this post to ways you can care for aging feet!
5 Keys to Senior Foot Care
The longer you spend on your feet, the more likely you are to develop problems. But foot pain isn’t an unavoidable side effect of aging. With a bit of effort, you can prevent discomfort, so you can stay active and comfortable for years to come.
Focus on footwear. Choose supportive shoe styles that feel comfortable the very first time you try them on. Make sure to leave wiggle room in the shoe’s toe bed—about ½ between the edge of the shoes and the end of the big toe. Heels should be no taller than 1½ inches. And speak to us about adding orthotics for extra support if you can’t find a pair with enough built-in support.
Stay active. Try to go for daily walks to maintain mobility, and immediately address any discomfort that you notice during movement. After movement, take a few minutes to stretch your toes, feet, ankles and calf muscles. This can help improve your circulation while also helping you stay mobile and injury free.
Wash daily. Always clean feet with soap and water at the end of each day, making sure to dry thoroughly—especially between the toes—and apply hydrating lotion before putting on socks and shoes.
About those shoes…keep them on, even in the house. It’s important to keep feet covered and supported at all times, as this will decrease your risk for injuries, and for falls, especially if you have diabetes.
Don’t be a stranger. Make regular appointments with our podiatry office in Westfield. Why is this our most important seniors foot care tip? Your feet change quickly as you age. And a small problem can easily blow up into a big one, almost without you noticing the transition. To prevent chronic foot pain, we encourage you to schedule regular visits in our office. That way, we can quickly diagnose and treat any developing issues before they cause you pain or limit your mobility.