ASSISTANCE
New Minas program takes steps to highlight importance of foot care
Foot clinic is helping seniors with health and socialization.
“People don’t realize how important good foot care is until they have problems that impact their mobility and health. And for those on a fixed income, the ongoing cost of this care is prohibitive,” says Cheryl Manzer.
Manzer is the founder and organizer of Meet Your Feet, an outreach project of the Orchard Valley United Church in New Minas, which provides free, professional foot care on a monthly basis to low-income seniors and other vulnerable persons.
The project was launched in September 2015 by Manzer, a retired foot care nurse, with support from the church and grants from the Eastern Kings Hospital Foundation and the Eastern Kings Health Board. Four years later, the once-amonth clinics now needing four licensed foot care nurses, with support by more than 20 volunteers, serves more than 100 patients each month at Orchard Valley, St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in Wolfville and
St. James Anglican Church in Kentville.
The St. James clinic is the second Wednesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The Orchard Valley clinic takes place on the second Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by the St. Francis of Assisi clinic that afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The clinics provide basic foot care with specialized care for persons with diabetes, including education on keeping one’s feet in good condition. The patients attending the clinics also receive light refreshment, free transportation, foot wear, socks, moisture cream and other foot appliances when required.
Over the years the clinics have developed a social element as volunteers get to know the returning patients and the waiting patients get to know each other as they chat over the refreshments.
The program has benefited greatly from the ongoing support of the Mud Creek Rotary Club.
“This worthwhile project serves a lot of people in the area,” said Rotarian John McNeil, a member of the group’s community service committee.
“Good feet will treat you well. Unfortunately, there are people who can’t afford to treat their feet well.”
Ann Booth
Mud Creek Rotarian
“We are pleased to help it expand to meet the increasing need,” added Rotarian Georgie McNeil.
The club understands the importance of the foot care clinics.
“Good feet will treat you well. Unfortunately, there are people who can’t afford to treat their feet well. For those with diabetes, if you can’t walk, you can’t exercise easily and their feet are more open for infections,” said Mud Creek Rotarian Ann Booth.
Meet Your Feet is just one of the projects that are supported by the Rotary’s Toonie Toss. The Toonie Toss started six years ago and has provided more than $500,000 to support projects from Windsor to Berwick.