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I’m honored to be a guest blogger for Sixty & Me. I believe you’ll find my most recent article helpful, especially since so many of you spend much of the day on your feet.
Did you know that by the time we reach age 50 the average person has taken enough steps to equal walking around the entire world three times?
No wonder our feet are tired! After all these years of faithful service, our feet need extra love and care. Check out these 7 tips to maintain healthy, happy feet.
Indulge in a Relaxing Foot Soak
Simply add 1/2 cup Epsom salt or a few drops of essential oils (favorites are lavender and peppermint) to a gallon of warm water. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes, then dry gently with a fluffy towel. Be sure to dry especially well between your toes.
Pamper Your Skin
As we age, the skin on our feet becomes thinner and drier. After a shower or bath, treat your feet to a massage with your favorite lotion or cream. Avoid leaving lotion between your toes as this can promote the growth of fungal infections.
For rough patches, try an exfoliating foot scrub. You can also apply a thick lubricating cream at bedtime, then sleep with cotton socks on your feet. If you wear sandals, remember to use sunscreen on the tops of your feet.
Take Good Care of Your Nails
Keep toenails trimmed so the edges are even with the tips of the toes. Nails become drier and more brittle as we age, so they’re usually easier to trim after softening in a foot soak. Trim straight across to help prevent ingrown toenails.
Wear the Correct Shoes
Years of fashionable high heels and pointy-toed shoes eventually catch up with us. The result can be corns, bunions, curled toes or other painful problems. Now is the time to look for shoes that provide comfort and good support.
As we get older, our feet become wider and a bit longer, so double-check your size before buying new shoes. It’s also a good idea to shop for shoes in the evening as our feet tend to swell a bit as the day goes on.
Keep an Eye on Your Feet
Examine your feet regularly and look for changes such as blisters, cracks, growths or signs of a fungal infection, i.e., rash, itching, peeling skin or thickened/yellowed toenails. A small hand mirror is helpful to see your feet from all angles.
Contact your medical provider if you see signs of infection or slow healing. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or other medical conditions affecting your feet, you may require a special foot care routine. Please consult with your medical provider.
Enjoy Your Exercise Routine
As we age, our feet continue to benefit from exercise to maintain strength, flexibility and good circulation. Strong feet also promote proper balance that helps prevent falls.
The bones and joints in our feet are more prone to injury as we grow older. Keep up your exercise habit, but consider adjusting your routine to include lower-impact exercises.
Never Ignore Pain
Despite all we’ve put our feet through over the years, they shouldn’t need to hurt. Sore feet aren’t a normal part of aging.
Women tend to ignore foot pain and hope it goes away on its own. However, delaying medical care often makes treatment more difficult. If you’re experiencing foot pain, see your primary medical provider, a podiatrist or a physical therapist.
How are you going to care for those faithful feet of yours? Let us know in the comment section!
Scott @ Graying With Grace says
Hi Diane! Great tips for keeping senior feet healthy! I was glad to see buying the right shoes on this list. I recommend seniors look for shoes with velcro closure straps. This allows them to customize the fit of the shoes from day to day depending on the amount of swelling they have. This can also help reduce pain from arthritis in the feet. Thanks for all the important information you share with seniors and their caregivers.
Diane says
Hello Scott,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and adding this important suggestion!