Being good to your feet becomes very important when you get older. Taking care of your tootsies means that you can prevent falls and injuries as well as some of the complications that can set in from diseases like diabetes.
Mastering a few tips can help keep your feet in great shape so they can take you wherever you want to go in your golden years.
Don’t Go Barefoot
While it’s tempting to go outside on a nice summer’s day without any shoes, it can be bad for your feet. It’s best for seniors if they wear closed toed shoes to protect against any kind of cuts, scrapes or even falls.
It’s even a good idea to wear shoes inside as much as possible to prevent the same kind of injuries.
Keep The Blood Flowing
It’s important to promote healthy circulation in your feet as you get older. Here are a few tips to help you accomplish that goal:
- When you’re sitting down watching your favorite show on television or the Internet, prop your feet up on a stool. When you’ve been sitting down for a long time, wiggling your toes can also help to promote good circulation.
- Stretching daily is also a good idea. In fact, many people learn some fundamentals of yoga to keep the blood flowing as they age. Regular foot massages are another healthy habit to get into.
- Of course it almost goes without saying that you should quit smoking. Tobacco harms the circulation to your entire body.
Keep Those Toenails Cut
Some of the things that you can do to keep your feet in top shape might seem a little obvious. Trimming those toenails on a regular basis helps to prevent the problems associated with ingrown nails.
If you have trouble reaching your feet, you should see a podiatrist who can trim your nails regularly.
Combat Fungal Infections
Applying foot powder every day if you’re active is a good way to prevent infections like athlete’s foot. Making sure you are wearing the right shoes that fit properly is critical for seniors.
Keeping your feet dry by changing your socks on a regular basis is also a good practise.
Visit Your Podiatrist
Being proactive about your feet is always a good idea as you age. A big part of staying on top of any issues like hammertoe is going to see your podiatrist before they become bigger issues.
