Podiatrists in Aged Care

Introduction

Podiatrists are the doctors involved in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and recovering from surgical and medical problems affecting the lower limbs and feet. They are trained to maintain and treat the feet' health, improve comfort, and relieve pain. It maintains the abilities of older and disabled individuals. The feet are one of the most important parts of the body that help us glide throughout the day.

Often, it is the feet that we tend to overlook and do not take proper care of. As the feet age, they expand and lose the fatty pads on the bottom of the heels and the balls of the heels. Aged people suffering from arthritis, diabetes, and other circulatory diseases are prone to many foot diseases. Elderly people who are obese also end up affecting their bones and ligaments. Older people consider these things as normal pain and discomfort and tend to ignore them, while these are the things that need proper medical attention from a podiatrist.

What Is the Importance of Podiatry in Aged Care?

Podiatry is the branch of medical science that is responsible for everything happening to our feet, including research, prevention, and treatment. Elderly people have a high possibility of being affected by foot-related disorders. Regular consultations with the podiatrist can improve the quality of life and help choose the correct footwear to prevent falls.

What Does a Podiatrist’s Service Look Like?

A podiatrist plays a very important role in properly maintaining an elderly person's foot and lower limb health, mobility, and independence, and also helps manage risks.

Some of the services are :

• Podiatrists initially assess general foot health, including skin integrity and build-up, nail health, foot deformities, pressure areas, and risk and circulation areas.

• They also help with individual, personalized plans for every person to make sure their foot care needs are met because the requirements of every individual are different.

• They are responsible for providing general podiatric treatments like managing nails, skin build-up and calluses, fungal infections, and ingrown toenails.

• Special diabetic foot care is also provided, including managing diabetic ulcers.

• Treatment plans for managing foot deformities like bunions, claw toes, and hammertoes.

• Since podiatrists provide customized orthotics, they also develop free basic orthotic prescriptions and molds for people who need them.

• They also help in assessing, diagnosing, and treating acute and chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions related to the foot, ankle, and lower limb.

• Podiatrists also help with gait assessment and recommend exercises to assist with mobility and fall risk.

• They help choose the correct footwear by giving proper footwear reviews and education to assist in reducing pain and fall risk.

• Podiatrists are also known for giving proper education and training to nursing staff so that they can assist them better in maintaining the foot health of the residents.

• They also help establish regular visiting schedules and communicate through emails and simple notification boards for visitors visible within the homes.

• Often, podiatrists arrange for CDM programs that help people understand the insurance they can avail of.

• Podiatrists also help individuals get a clear idea about the right shoes and slippers that they need to wear. People need to ensure the shoes and slippers they wear fit them properly and provide the appropriate support they need for walking. This is done to reduce falls.

• Podiatrists are trained to treat and maintain the health and hygiene of the feet, improve comfort, and relieve pain so that residents can be more confident and rely less on walking aids.

• Podiatrists also help to a great extent in infection control. A podiatrist must aim for a significant reduction in exposure and transmission of the infection. They make sure they meet every parameter that is needed for proper control of the infection.

• Podiatrists also help with heel, arch, forefoot, and ankle pain.

• Competent and timely care, treatment, and support are what podiatrists provide.

• Podiatrists also recommend walking since it is a good exercise for people with foot conditions.

• It is always suggested to avoid over-the-counter corn products unless the podiatrist recommends them. This is because products like these are harmful.

• One should also bathe their feet daily in lukewarm water and use a mild soap, followed by a moisturizer.

• Trimming and filing toenails is a must. Keeping the nails slightly curved at the end of the toe is also important.

• Podiatrists always suggest inspecting the feet daily to check for any signs of redness, cracks in the skin, or any sores.

• It is always a great idea to opt for a shoe with a firm sole and soft upper part that can be laced, buckled, or strapped so that walking doesn't look like a huge problem.

• Podiatrists will always suggest avoiding walking barefoot, even at home, especially for diabetic people.

What Are the Benefits of On-Site Podiatry in Aged Care Facilities?

• Getting podiatry at home is more beneficial for aged people and makes them feel free, convenient, and free of stress.

• Personalized care is improved in the home for elderly individuals.

• Taking slippers and shoes in proper fitting makes people more comfortable than normal and decreases the risk of falls.

• During foot treatment, some diseases are identified earlier.

• Aged people walk with reduced pain.

• It may also increase the number of people walking instead of people.

What Should Diabetic People Do?

Podiatry is very important for diabetic people, so they need to pay special attention to the foot. It is utterly essential for people with diabetes to treat the problems of their feet because foot care is the key to the health of any person. Diabetes patients are more vulnerable to developing foot problems. Certain studies have proven that thirty-four percent of older people with diabetes suffer from foot ulcers.

Conclusion

Podiatrists assess and treat conditions related to the foot and lower limb. Elderly people have really poor blood circulation in their feet, so they are more prone to injuries and infections. If an appropriate treatment is not performed, it can cause amputation (removing the body part) as well. It is always suggested to stay in touch with a podiatrist because they always have the best idea for every disease related to the feet. It is essential to consult a podiatrist because foot care is essential to maintaining health.