Keep Those Aging Feet Agile

Health Guides
Keep Those Aging Feet Agile
Foot Care

For many, the feet are mere body appendages that carry them from one place to another. But, it is the feet that contribute significantly to your sense of well-being and independence. And as you age, these need just as much more care as the rest of your body.

Perhaps, even more since they bear your weight all the time and are prone to extensive wear and tear without your tender love and care.

Foot problems increase with age. According to experts, problems with the feet can be early warning bells of more serious conditions like diabetes, arthritis, circulatory disorders and nerve damage.

Foot hygiene

Unhealthy feet may keep you from enjoying an active life. It is possible to keep foot problems at bay by following simple routines.

• Check your feet regularly for blisters, bruises, sores, and infections to the toenails. If bending over is a problem for you, use a mirror or ask someone to do it. Also, do this in a good light.

• Wash your feet everyday with warm water. Pat dry and do not forget the area between your toes.

• Soaking the feet is very relaxing. However, do not soak for over ten minutes as this leads to dry skin.

• Cut toenails straight across and not like curved fingernails.

• Moisturise your feet and heels with lanolin-based creams for dry and cracked skin. In case of sweaty feet, dust lightly with talcum powder.

• Wear proper fitting socks and shoes. Do ensure that your socks are free of elastic bands at the top and the shoes that you wear are wider at the toes, have soles designed to enhance grip and reduce foot stress.

Flex those feet!

Exercises increase blood circulation to the feet and thereby go a long way in keeping those aging feet agile for a long, long time.

• Avoid sitting cross-legged for long periods of time.

• While sitting, lift your legs off the ground and flex the ankles to strengthen them.

• Rock with your toes in a rocking chair

• Carve circles (clockwise and anticlockwise) in the carpet with your toes.

• Pick up a towel with the toes.

• Stand with your feet a little apart and walk with your weight on the outer edges of the feet.

• Raise yourself on your toes and then lower. Repeat 10 times to begin with.

• Walk your way to health. It is the best exercise for older people as it can be done anywhere, any time and costs nothing.

• Other low-impact activities like swimming and golfing ensure healthy benefits to the entire body and the feet too.

A word of caution

Although, self-care is imperative to your feet, it is also essential to be watchful, should your feet depict any signs of changes. Consult a medical healthcare professional immediately, if

• Sores on your feet do not heal

• Corns and calluses get painful

• You experience pain in the feet while walking

• There is occasional numbness/loss of sensation in the feet

• The skin on your feet/legs changes colour

• The shape of your feet changes.

Our feet talk, we just have to listen to them.