Foot care for older people

Feet change with the years. The skin becomes thinner and drier, the fat pad under the sole flattens and nails often become thicker and harder. At the same time it becomes harder to reach them yourself.

1. Why it gets harder

Bending becomes less easy, eyesight less sharp and hand strength decreases. Cutting a thick toenail with ordinary clippers is then no small matter.

The result is nails that grow too long and press against the shoe, or too much being cut away so that ingrowth develops.

2. Thinner skin needs more care

With the years the skin produces less of its own oil and dries out faster. That makes cracks more likely and wounds easier. Daily moisturising is then not a luxury.

The fat pad under the ball of the foot flattens, so pressure is absorbed less well. Callus forms faster in those spots.

• Have nails trimmed if you can no longer manage
• Moisturise daily against dry skin
• Choose shoes that support and do not pinch
• At home: €5 on top of the practice rate (excluding travel costs)

3. Preventing falls starts at the feet

Painful feet change your walking pattern and make you less confident. Walking hesitantly increases the chance of falling, and at an older age that is a serious risk.

Feet that do not complain and shoes that fit well contribute more to safe walking than most people realise.

4. Treatment at home

If you are unsteady on your feet or have no transport, Patty comes to your home. The treatment is the same; all you need is a chair at a comfortable height.

A home visit costs €5 on top of the practice rate (excluding travel costs): €50 for the standard treatment and €57.50 for the medical treatment.

5. Signals to take seriously

Wounds that heal slowly, feet that stay cold and pale, a sudden change in colour or sensation: those are things to discuss with your GP.

Because Patty sees your feet regularly, a change is noticed sooner. She discusses what she notices and says honestly when a doctor should look at it.

In practice this subject belongs with corn treatment and ingrown nail. There you can read how Patty works, or you can request an appointment straight away.

Further reading: what does a short treatment cost?, what does callus removal cost?, what does a corn treatment cost?.

Frequently asked questions