It is important to take care of one's feet to avoid common foot issues such as heel pain, corns, bunions and deformities. The reason is that these conditions can reduce mobility. However, while the young can afford to experiment with what works and what doesn't, the elderly can not. This is because as people age, foot care becomes much more difficult, especially with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes. However, this does not mean you should leave the feet of an elderly loved one unattended to. This article highlights simple foot care procedures for the elderly.

Examine the Bottom of Feet Regularly -- Out of the 16 million people who have diabetes, approximately 25% of them have foot problems. With these statistics in mind, it is essential to inspect the under-sole of an elderly loved one's feet regularly. As you perform such examinations, make sure that you keep a keen eye on any cuts, splinters, cracks, blisters or pressure sores. Although the above foot issues are common in older adults, they should show signs of healing within a day or two. If they do not, the foot issues should cause concern, and you should book an appointment with a podiatrist. When examining the underfoot of an elderly, make sure you elevate their feet using a stool for comfort purposes. 

Cut and File Toe Nails -- Some people believe that the elderly do not need to cut their toenails regularly because they no longer grow as fast as they do in young people. While it is true that nails grow slowly as people age -- due to reduced blood circulation in the nails -- it doesn't mean that older people should neglect toenails. In fact, if an elderly loved one has circulation issues in their feet, an ingrown toenail can lead to amputation. Therefore, pay close attention to your loved one's nails and ensure you file them round at the edges to avoid ingrowths.

Examine Shoes -- According to recent statistics, about one in three people aged 65 and older experience foot pain or stiffness, and these issues can be caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes. If an older person wears ill-fitting shoes for extended periods, then blood circulation to the feet is curtailed, and this causes significant foot pain. Therefore, you must ensure your senior loved one wears shoes that fit properly. Due to the delicate feet of senior citizens, it is best to have a podiatrist recommend the right shoe size for them.

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