Proper Foot Care Is Easy With At Home Health Care

by Matt Clinnard

When thinking about home health care, not many people consider how their loved ones could benefit from proper foot care. However, this is an important issue that could significantly improve your loved one's quality of life.

Often, we worry about our hearts, our lungs, kidneys and joints, but not many people realize that healthy feet are often a cornerstone for feeling great for many people. A caregiver can help your loved one combat feet issues caused by a number of factors, such as disease, poor circulation, improper care and poor footwear.

Quality home health care includes practicing good foot care. A caregiver will regularly check your loved one's feet, making sure that there are no issues present that a doctor may have to deal with. This will help your loved one's circulation.

A caregiver can also remind your senior loved one to put their feet up when they are resting. Stretching is important as well, and your loved one and their caregiver will work together to find a way for them to stretch as often as possible.

Your loved one's home health care professional will be tasked with making sure your loved one is always wearing comfortable and appropriate shoes. This will keep many issues at bay.

Here are some of the most common foot problems faced by older adults and how their caregiver can help them deal with them:

• Fungus. Yes, it seems odd, but pretty much anyone can get athlete's foot, not just athletes. It is a very common condition among older people. A home health care professional will help your parent treat the condition and keep their feet dry and clean to prevent further infection.
• Dry skin. It may not seem like a big deal, but dry skin is very problematic for older people, particularly if they are not able to bend down and scratch themselves. A caregiver will help your loved one clean their feet with mild soap and use lotion or moisturizer.
• Corns and calluses. This is an issue many older people face but cannot care for on their own. A caregiver will take your loved one to the doctor for treatment and make sure they are staying on track. Dealing with corns and calluses goes a long way towards improving an individual's quality of life.
• Ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails are very painful and can keep coming back. A caregiver will make sure to cut your loved one's toenails properly to prevent future ingrown toenails. However, if your loved one's ingrown toenails have already caused a major infection, this is something a doctor has to deal with and a caregiver will make sure your loved one is getting all the proper care they need.