Walking is one of the best exercises for many seniors. It has low cost, is easily accessible, and is often something that most seniors can take part of without too much pain. However, for some seniors, walking may be avoided because it can cause significant pain, often localized to one foot or both. Talking to your senior about why she avoids going for a nice walk outside, along with bringing her to a podiatrist, are some ways to find the root of the problem and then work with the senior home care providers to help with the solutions.
Five Common Foot Pain Conditions in Seniors
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the toenails start to curve toward the toe as they grow instead of growing straight out. They may find themselves lodged underneath the skin of the toe, causing pain and swelling. It is common among the elderly because as a person ages, the toenails often become thicker and may begin to curve. Many elderly people also struggle to trim their nails properly, increasing the risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Bursitis
Bursitis is caused by the bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, muscles, and tendons) becoming inflamed due to stress and overuse. It most commonly occurs in the heel and big toe and can lead to pain, stiffness, redness, and a loss of mobility, making walking even short distances difficult.
Cracked Heels
As a person ages, the elasticity of their skin reduces, making it easier for it to crack and break open, especially on the heels. This area is often neglected and becomes thick and dry, leading to open cracks that stretch painfully when a person walks, and can even lead to infection if not taken care of.
Foot Fat Pad Loss
Everyone starts with a nice cushion of fat on their heels and balls of their feet, providing comfort and support when walking. As a person ages, those fat pads can atrophy, leading to pain when the person tries to walk without those parts of their feet protected. Walking without shoes that provide support (like plastic flip flops) or standing in one place for too long can lead to extreme pain in the feet.
Osteoarthritis
As one of the most common causes of foot pain in older adults, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the joints of the feet wears away. A double-edged sword, it can lead to pain both while walking and while resting. The feet become tender, and any pressure on them can be painful.
Helping Your Loved One Enjoy Walking Again
The good news is that most of these conditions have treatments and solutions that can reduce the amount of foot pain your loved one feels, so she can be active again. Many seniors don’t like to “complain” about pain, so they simply suffer instead when solutions are out there to improve their quality of life if they seek them out.
Getting Help with Senior Home Care
If your loved one needs significant recovery time for surgery or treatment to help improve her foot pain, she might need some extra help around the home. A senior home care team can step in and help her with chores and tasks around the home as she recovers. With senior home care providers helping around the house, your elderly loved one can recuperate more quickly and be back to enjoying her walks again.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care Services in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, please call the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
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