Home Health Care in Memorial, TX
As adults age, the feet may undergo changes and develop problems that they didn’t have before. These changes and foot problems can cause pain, difficulty walking and difficulty doing everyday tasks. Here is a list of common foot problems among seniors and what can be done about them:
• Bunions
A bunion is a hard, bony lump at the base of the big toe. Bunions can develop as people age after years of wearing high heels or other uncomfortable shoes. They can also be purely genetic. Sometimes bunions can cause the big toe to move toward the other toes, causing painful crowding. Bunions can make walking painful but they can be managed by wearing good, supportive shoes or using orthopedic insoles. In cases where a bunion is severe, a podiatrist may recommend surgery to remove the bunion.
• Heel Pain
One major cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, this is when the ligaments on the bottom of the foot undergo stress and strain. Another cause of heel pain is heel spurs which are bony growths on the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis pain can be relieved by icing the foot, massaging, and doing certain exercises that can help strengthen the foot.
• Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are areas of thick dead skin on the foot that can become hard and uncomfortable. Sometimes a podiatrist will need to remove them if they become hard to manage. There are also over-the-counter topical treatments and pads you can place in shoes to help relieve them.
• Toenail Fungal Infections
Fungal infections in the toenail can cause the toenail to become brittle, thick, and discolored. Often these fungal infections will need to be treated by medications that seniors can get from their doctor.
• Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can be caused by not cutting the toenail properly or by wearing ill-fitting shoes. If ingrown toenails become too painful, a visit to the podiatrist may be in order. If left untreated, ingrown toenails can cause swelling and infection.
• Athlete’s Foot
Seniors can get athlete’s foot from walking barefoot on pool decks or in locker rooms. It is a fungal infection that can cause itchiness, burning, and peeling skin, but it can be treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal cream. To prevent getting athlete’s foot, it is a good idea to wear shoes on pool decks, in locker rooms, and even in locker room showers.
Source
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-common-foot-problems
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22536
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/712250
If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care in Memorial, TX, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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