As we grow older, staying active and mobile is key to maintaining independence, health, and quality of life.
Considering how our feet support us through the years, it’s no surprise that later in life we may start to experience problems with them, leading to limited mobility. Podiatry for seniors is one of our most in-demand services here at Trevor Lane Podiatry – and in fact, Australians aged 65+ account for 75% of Medicare rebated podiatry services.
The good news? From managing chronic conditions to preventative care, your local podiatrist provides natural, non-invasive techniques designed to help keep seniors on their feet – literally!
Why it’s Important to Look After your Feet
Neglecting foot care as we age may lead to issues such as infections, chronic pain, reduced mobility, and complications in overall health, especially for those living with conditions such as diabetes.
Further, frequent foot pain has been found to impair balance and foot function (1) and more than double the risk of falling (2), which can pose a huge risk to seniors.
Taking Care of those Tootsies
You can take care of your tootsies by:
- Washing your feet daily.
- Making sure to cut straight across when trimming your toenails, so they don’t become ingrown.
- Use a pumice stone regularly to slough off dry, dead skin – then moisturise.
- Wear good quality, podiatrist-approved shoes.
- And see a podiatrist if you’re experiencing ongoing foot pain or discomfort.
Common Foot Issues in Seniors
Your local podiatrist can be a valuable ally in your aim of ageing well, supporting you in your senior years with concerns such as:
- Diabetes-Related Foot Problems: Type 2 diabetes is common in older Australians. This condition may affect circulation and nerve function in the feet, increasing the risk of ulcers or infections, and slowing the healing process. A customised diabetic foot care plan from a podiatrist can help you manage the risk of complications, by providing you with education and support around things like foot hygiene and cleanliness, toe nail maintenance, daily foot monitoring, and footwear choices.
- Bunions: These painful bumps at the base of the big toe or side of your foot can make getting around incredibly uncomfortable. A podiatrist may recommend bunion pads, footwear, orthotics, or physical therapy to help ease the discomfort of bunions.
- Arthritis: Arthritic joint pain in the feet can significantly limit mobility. At Trevor Lane Podiatry, our podiatrists can offer advice on managing arthritis with supportive footwear, stretches, and treatments like Foot Mobilisation Therapy or Prolotherapy, which are designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing process and restore strength in painful soft tissue and joints.
- Toenail Issues: Thickened or ingrown toenails are more common with age, and the stiff joints and reduced flexibility often experienced by seniors may make this trickier for them to manage. That’s why our podiatry services for seniors include cutting tough toenails when required.
- Heel Pain: Conditions like plantar fasciitis may lead to persistent heel pain. Here at Trevor Lane Podiatry, we are able to provide valuable advice and treatment options to help you step out freely again!
Podiatrist for Seniors: Early Intervention is Key
Because podiatry focuses on prevention, regular appointments are a good idea for over 60’s – even if you’ve never seen a podiatrist before. In fact, routine assessment and management of foot problems by a podiatrist has been found to help older people retain motor performance and improve healthy ageing (3).
And – if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, you might be eligible for five Medicare rebated podiatry services per calendar year, through a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan.
At Trevor Lane Podiatry, we also offer a concession rate for patients with a pension, health care, or seniors’ card.
Don’t Let Foot Pain Hold You Back!
Ageing well starts with taking care of your foundation – your feet! If you’re in the Redlands, book an appointment at Trevor Lane Podiatry and let’s get you on the journey towards good foot health and wellbeing.
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