Keeping a spring in your step: foot care tips for seniors
By the time we’re in the senior age range, our feet have done some serious mileage. The average person takes around 6,000 steps a day, and that adds up to over two million steps a year. Every time you take a single step, your feet are loaded with up to 1.5 times your own body weight.
So it’s no wonder that our feet change as we age. You may find that:
- Your foot arch flattens
- Your foot gets wider and a little longer
- Your ankle and foot stiffen and you don’t have the range of movement you used to
- You develop foot problems such as bunions
You may not notice it yourself, but your heel pad becomes thinner as you age, which reduces the amount of shock your feet can absorb. What you probably will notice is that your feet get more tired, or that your shoes don’t cushion your feet on uneven or stoney ground as much as you would expect.
However, remember that uncomfortable or painful feet are not a natural part of aging. With a little TLC from you and expert advice from your local foot care clinic, you can improve your own comfort levels and stay more mobile.
Here are three top tips for looking after your feet (and footwear) so you can enjoy your senior lifestyle to the max!
1. Listen to your feet
Or rather, spot the signs of what they might be telling you. Your feet can act as early indicators of medical and other conditions, especially if you are experiencing tingling, sore joints, or ulcerations and sores that don’t heal. If you have any concerns, consult your physician or a local foot clinic such as ours in Ingersoll, Stratford and London.
By inspecting your feet every day before you put your socks on, you’ll also spot any early signs of conditions such as athlete’s foot, nail fungal infections, cracked skin on your heels, ingrowing toenails and calluses. If you find anything, make an appointment with us for advice and treatments.
2. Retire your old footwear
We probably all have a favourite pair of shoes, boots, slippers, or trainers that we have potentially worn for years. If so, they probably don’t fit your feet as well as they once did as your feet have changed shape (see above). This in turn may affect your gait (the way that you walk), putting additional stress onto certain joints and creating uneven wear on the soles of your shoes, which can affect your balance.
Take the opportunity to have your feet accurately measured to establish your current foot size – don’t rely on what it used to be a few years ago. Each season, replace your old footwear with new items that fit snugly and fully support your feet.
- Choose new winter shoes that have a good grip to prevent slips and falls
- Opt for shaped, supportive summer shoes rather than flat deck shoes
New footwear will also be much cleaner inside too, reducing the risk of foot infections due to residual bacteria, or fungal spores from previous infections such as athlete’s foot living in your old shoes.
If you just can’t bear to part with last year’s sports-style shoes, and they are generally in good condition with minimal wear on the soles, Nike has some tips on how to disinfect trainers and other casual shoes.
3. Get more support
If you find your feet ache more after walking or exercise, or you experience heel pain, you may require more support for your feet than your shoes provide on their own. You may also find that you experience other joint and muscle pain if your gait (the way you walk) has changed over time too.
Orthotics are insoles that slip into footwear to provide additional support and cushioning exactly where you need it when wearing your everyday shoes, boots, heels and more. They also realign your feet within your footwear to the optimum position for walking and moving, restoring your natural gait, reducing pressure by absorbing shock, and promoting better balance and posture too.
Our custom made orthotics are moulded to your feet, and can easily be swapped from one pair of shoes to another. We can also create orthotics that can be used for specific sports too. Call us for an appointment to have your gait analyzed, your feet checked, and to discuss how orthotics can help you.
Healthy senior feet with Hunt Foot Care
Our three Ontario foot care clinics are happy to help with any aspect of senior foot health, including toenail trimming, corn and callus treatments, diabetic foot care, and effective aids for better mobility. Simply call us and make an appointment:
