If your senior mom or dad has diabetes, they need to take very good care of their feet. Seniors who have diabetes often have poor circulation and nerve damage to their feet, and they may develop ulcers on their feet or ankles that are slow to heal. Personal care at home can help your senior mom or dad take care of their feet.
Seniors who have diabetes have a high risk of experiencing infections because of slow-healing foot ulcers. And some may even need to have amputations if they don’t make foot care and managing their diabetes priorities. With personal care at home, your mom or dad won’t have to struggle with foot care.
A personal care at home provider who has experience helping seniors with hygiene tasks can help your mom or dad with foot care tasks like:
1. Inspect Feet Daily
Your mom or dad should be checking their feet daily for any changes. A personal care at home provider can check their feet if your mom or dad can’t check their feet. Look for cuts, blisters, swelling, redness, or any changes in skin color or texture.
2. Wash and Dry Feet Properly
Your senior parent should wash feet daily with warm (not hot) water and mild soap. Feet should be dried thoroughly, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal infections. Personal care at home providers can be a big help with daily washing and drying if your mom or dad can’t safely wash their feet on their own.
3. Moisturize, but Avoid Between the Toes
Moisturizing with a specialized lotion for feet is important, especially in cold weather. Apply lotion to keep the skin soft and prevent cracking. Avoid putting lotion between the toes, as excess moisture can lead to infections.
4. Trim Toenails Carefully
Your mom or dad may also need personal care at home to help with nail trimming. Nails should be cut straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Your mom or dad’s doctor may also recommend that they get a medical pedicure at a medical spa, which will include nail trims.
5. Wear Proper Footwear
Make sure your senior parent has shoes that fit well, with a wide toe box and good support. Avoid tight socks and opt for seamless, non-restrictive diabetic socks. Socks should be breathable cotton, not polyester.
6. Never Walk Barefoot
Seniors should always wear shoes or slippers, even indoors, to protect against injury and to provide traction so they don’t slip. Make sure that indoor house shoes or slippers have a sturdy sole and offer support.
7. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Protect your mom or dad’s feet from extreme cold or heat, as nerve damage may make it difficult to detect temperature changes.
8. Keep Feet Warm and Circulated
If your mom or dad is mostly sedentary, it’s important to make sure their circulation is good and that they are warm. Keep feet warm with socks during colder months, but ensure they are breathable and not too tight. If your mom or dad spends a lot of time in a chair or on the couch, make sure they have plenty of warm blankets and that they cover their feet.
9. Address Wounds and Injuries Promptly
Any cuts, blisters, or openings in the skin could become infected and should be treated right away. Clean with mild soap and water, cover with a sterile bandage, and monitor for signs of infection. Consult a doctor or podiatrist if wounds don’t heal quickly.
10. Schedule Regular Podiatrist Visits
Make sure your mom or dad sees a podiatrist regularly who can check their feet and address any issues. A podiatrist can help with specialized care, such as addressing calluses, corns, or nail problems safely.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Ladue, MO, please contact the caring staff at Pear Tree Home Care today! (314) 942-9411
Pear Tree Home Care Provides Senior Home Care Services in St. Louis, Ladue, Chesterfield, Town and Country, Clayton, Des Peres, St. Charles, Wildwood, Brentwood, Maryland Heights, Lake St. Louis, O’Fallon, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Arnold, Oakville, Mehlville, Creve Coeur, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, Warren County, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas.
At Pear Tree we’re innovators. Our goal, to create a family of caregivers looking to provide a one of a kind experience to our clientele.
In 2016, our founders noticed a key problem in home care industry that everyone seemed to be ignoring.
It’s too systematic. Home care isn’t one size fits all. Just like people aren’t one size fits all.
That’s where Pear Tree comes in.
We yearn for you to have the best possible care for your loved ones and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they aren’t only in good hands. They’re in great hands. Because, in the end, that’s what we’d want for our family.
It’s proven. When the home care experience is immersive and personalized, you’re going to produce better success rates with healthier family members.
Please, join us in our journey of revolutionizing the home care industry and creating lasting relationships along the way.
This is not the first Home Care agency for Pat, she was the Director of nursing for Kimberly Nurses in 1980 and after the tragic passing of the companies president she opened and co-founded American Nursing Resources Home Health Agency. Pat opened and passed Medicare certification for ANRHHA Clayton and Washington, MO offices.
For Zachary, the name “Pear Tree” is a tribute to his beloved late friend; Wade Abbadessa. Wade worked at his family’s famous restaurant “The Pear Tree” in Macon, until his tragic death in September 2014. Wade lost his battle with a rare form of bone cancer at the young age of 26. His legacy will live on through our company.
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