If your senior parent has diabetes, proper foot care is essential for their health and well-being. Poor circulation and other diabetes-related issues can cause foot ulcers or severe infections. However, it can be difficult for seniors to bend over or reach to care for their feet. Seniors also may have trouble showering or washing their feet. They may experience dizziness that can cause falls if they try to take care of their feet on their own. Personal care at home services can help.
Personal care at home is specialized hygiene care for seniors at home. Care providers that specialize in personal care at home have experience and training so they can help seniors with tasks like showering, using the bathroom, getting dressed, and getting safely in and out of bed.
A personal care at home provider can help your senior parent take excellent care of their feet so that they can avoid problems like these common foot ailments that seniors with diabetes experience:
Diabetic Neuropathy
One of the most serious complications of diabetes is nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy. This condition reduces the ability to feel pain, heat, or cold in the feet.
Seniors with neuropathy may not notice cuts, blisters, or other injuries, which can lead to infections. Nerve damage can also cause tingling, burning pain, or weakness in the feet. Over time, neuropathy can lead to foot deformities and increase the risk of ulcers and infections.
Poor Circulation
Diabetes can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the feet, a condition known as peripheral artery disease. Poor circulation slows down healing, making even small cuts or blisters more likely to become infected.
If left untreated, poor circulation can lead to serious complications, including gangrene and the need for amputation. Proper foot care and personal care at home can help improve circulation and reduce the risk of complications from diabetes.
Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers are open sores that develop due to poor circulation and neuropathy. Because many seniors with diabetes don’t feel pain in their feet, they may not notice a small cut or blister.
Without proper care from personal care at home experts, these wounds can become infected and take a long time to heal. If an infection spreads, it can lead to severe complications, including amputation. Keeping feet clean, wearing proper footwear, and checking for injuries daily can help prevent ulcers.
Infections and Fungal Issues
Seniors with diabetes are more prone to infections because high blood sugar weakens the immune system. Even minor injuries, such as a small cut or blister, can turn into serious infections if not treated properly.
Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot or toenail fungus, are also common in people with diabetes. These infections can cause itching, cracking skin, and thick, discolored nails, increasing the risk of bacterial infections.
Personal care at home providers can help seniors keep their feet dry, wear breathable shoes, and trim their nails properly, which can help prevent infections.
Corns, Calluses, and Dry Skin
Corns and calluses form due to repeated pressure or friction on the feet. While they may seem harmless, they can lead to ulcers if they break down. Seniors with diabetes also tend to have dry skin, which can crack and create openings for infections.
Moisturizing the feet daily with the help of personal care at home services and wearing properly fitted shoes can help prevent these problems.
If you or an aging loved one needs Personal Care at Home in Granite Bay, CA, contact A Better Living Home Care today (916) 514-7006
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