Hip pain, neck pain, dementia... all of these are serious conditions amongst older people, but what about foot pain? Inadequate foot care, particularly from an early age, can increase one's risk of falling and cause other health complications. As you age, having an appropriate foot care routine can help you stay active, healthy and happy. Here are our top 4 tips for keeping your feet in tip-top shape:
Cut your toenails right
Foot care doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, in fact, it can start with something as simple as cutting your toenails right. Rather than rounding off the edges of your toenails, cut them straight across -- this will help reduce the risk of ingrown toenails and save you a whole lot of pain in the future. Contact a podiatrist if you need any help.
Exercise
Your podiatrist can give you special exercises to help keep your feet and ankles strong. Additionally, these exercises can also improve your balance and spatial awareness. All in all, exercise is a great way of strengthening your feet whilst reducing your risk of falling and injuring yourself.
Choose the right footwear
The right footwear will be comfortable and reduce your risk of falling whilst allowing you to stay active and enjoy life. Firm, flat shoes with some grip and ankle support are ideal for elderly patients. If you need further advice, ask an expert about what shoes are right for you.
Act early
As with anything, prevention is better than treatment. The earlier you start taking care of your feet the less you will have to worry about in the future. Consequently, it is best to get into a routine before problems even start to arise.
If you do notice something is wrong, however, see a professional podiatrist like the ones at Melville Wellness Centre straight away. Never try to scrape or cut corns or calluses yourself, this will put you at risk of infection or skin damage.
If you'd like an appointment with a Perth podiatrist or if you are concerned about the state of your feet contact us at Melville Wellness Centre today. We would be happy to have a chat and discuss different options for you.
