With the sandals safely stored away for the next six months, your loved one may think she doesn’t need to worry about foot care as much during the winter. But the truth is, winter can be harsher on feet than the summer and can create some unsightly and painful problems if feet are not taken care of during the cold winter months with the help of personal care at home services.
Common Causes of Foot Problems in the Winter
While your loved one doesn’t have to worry about sunburning the tops of her feet in the winter, other foot problems can occur more commonly in the winter. From dry skin on her feet to forever cold feet due to circulation problems, her feet may feel worse than ever during the winter months.
Five Steps to Healthy Winter Feet
You and personal care at home providers can help your loved one have healthier feet this winter by encouraging consistent footcare steps.
Don’t skip daily care tasks.
Because the heated air of the home can dry out the thin skin on the feet very easily, daily care is all the more important. Your loved one should wash her feet daily with soap and water and then gently pat dry. After washing, a good foot cream should be applied to all areas of the foot except between the toes. The extra moisture in that area can lead to infection.
Keep nails trimmed.
It’s easy to forget about toenails in the winter when the feet are covered up with socks, slippers, or shoes during all of the waking hours. Long toenails can scratch during sleep or break off and cause pain or infection. Having them trimmed properly during the winter will keep feet safe and comfortable.
Keep them warm but not damp.
Cold feet can be painful and achy and may aggravate your loved one’s arthritis. Having warm cotton or wool socks that allow the feet to breathe should help. Keeping well-made, breathable shoes on in the home can also help while providing a non-skid surface for your loved one to walk on.
Keep them dry.
When going out, make sure your loved one has shoes or boots that are water-resistant. Cold, wet feet can increase the risk of fungi growth.
Increase winter shoe size.
Because your loved one may be wearing thicker socks in the winter, her summer shoe size may not be as comfortable and may cause her feet to cramp. Consider going up a half size for winter shoes.
Does Your Loved One Need Help with Personal Care at Home?
One of the reasons elderly people suffer more from foot issues than younger people is their lack of mobility and flexibility to take care of their feet. Whether due to body shape or an inability to reach their feet, they simply may not be able to comfortably reach all areas of their feet to give them proper care.
Having a personal care at home provider help with foot care is one way you can help your loved one retain healthy feet at home. A personal care at home provider can help with trimming nails that can’t be reached or by applying lotion to all parts of each foot.
They will also be able to see the feet better, making it possible for them to spot any issues or injuries that need to be addressed by a doctor. A personal care at home provider can be a great resource for your loved one to maintain good foot health.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Englewood, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, today. Call (303) 647-1800
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Denver, Englewood, Lakewood, Aurora, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Centennial, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Castle Rock and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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