Happy, healthy FEET
HEART@HOME FOOTCARE NURSES CAN COME TO YOUR HOME AND ASSESS AND TREAT FOOT PROBLEMS
Our feet are both our biggest asset and most likely the last thing we spend attention on. When our feet hurt, our whole body hurts and this can affect our ability to maintain physical fitness, enjoy daily activities and get out and about doing the things we love to do. Some people are unable to care for their own feet due to physical limitations, or they have illnesses that put them at higher risk for infection or injury. In these instances, it is helpful to have someone to assist with regular health and maintenance for our toes and feet.
Regularly scheduled footcare supplied by a Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse with Advanced Footcare education is an important aspect for maintaining overall health and wellness. Advanced Footcare Nurse, Kim Dickinson, suggests the following tips to maintain optimal foot health:
Wash your feet every day. A quick soak from 3-8 minutes is enough. Check the temperature of the water before sticking your feet in to protect them from scalding and burning. Dry between your toes with a towel. Finish with a gentle moisturizer, but do not put any between your toes (fungus loves moisture).
Go for a quick walk; gentle stretches and foot exercises have benefits that extend well beyond our toes. While sitting, pick up marbles or a small cloth with your toes off the ground, or simply curl and relax your toes. While holding on to a table or a sturdy chair back, rise up on tiptoes, then rock back onto heels.
While sitting, alternate pointing your toes towards your nose with pointing them down towards the ground. Rotate your ankles in circles, clockwise then counterclockwise.
TIPS FOR BUYING SHOES
Buy shoes late in the day; this is when your feet will be most often swollen. Buy shoes that fit properly. Make sure you can wiggle your toes and they do not touch the front of the shoe, or the top or sides. They should have room to breathe and stretch out.
Choose leather or canvas or some other type of naural fabric to ensure moisture doesn’t get trapped and cause your toes to sweat. Make sure your socks have a high level of cotton and are the right size.
Pick shoes that have a closed toe and full back. You want your shoes to be snug but not tight, and offer your whole foot support. The heel of the shoe should be as wide as the foot and shouldn’t have more than a 1.5-inch/3cm heel. Make sure the soles have a decent tread to prevent slipping or falling.
Laced up shoes are the most preferred, or Velcro if it is easier for you. This allows for adjustment to the snugness of the shoe
over time.
IN-HOME FOOTCARE
Even if we do all of these things, we sometimes need a little extra help. The Heart@Home Team at Heart Pharmacy hosts Footcare Nurses that can come to your home to assess foot and lower leg issues. They are trained to spot infections, bruises, corns, callouses, cuts, scrapes and decreased sensation due to things like diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Footcare Nurses provide treatment options to keep you and your feet healthy. If you are unable to reach your lower limbs or feet to trim your nails or maintain foot health, a nurse can come to your home to provide regular footcare services. Heart@Home Footcare provides regular assessment, treatment, and assistance that decrease the instance of cuts and injuries that may be caused by thickened, overgrown and often fungal nails. Fungal infections in and around toenails is very common and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. They can often cause severe thickening and discolouration of the nail leading to ingrown nails and overgrown cuts.
When this happens, they often become too thick and too stiff to cut with regular over the counter nail clippers.
Heart@Home Footcare nurses help keep your feet comfortable and free of injury, including thinning and shortening those thickened, discoloured toenails. Fungal infections between the toes often leads to red, scaly and itchy skin. Heart@Home Footcare Nurses can walk you through treatment options or point you in the right direction towards a higher level of treatment through allied care providers.
No matter the issue, Heart@Home Footcare Nurses will assist, guide you through treatment options, and suggest allied care providers for issues that remain challenging.