Foot Care for Seniors: 8 Ways to Keep Aging Feet Healthy

As you age, nerve function may decline, making it harder to feel cuts, blisters, sores or pressure points. This is especially common in people with diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. It also may become more difficult to reach or see your feet.

"You can use a long-handled mirror or take a video with your phone to see what you may not feel," says Dr. Calis. "Examine the soles of your feet and between your toes regularly."

If reaching your feet is difficult, ask a family member or friend for help or use assistive devices.

Supportive, well-fitting shoes help protect against injury, improve balance and reduce fall risk. "Wear appropriate shoes for appropriate activities," says Dr. Calis. "If you're going for a walk, wear supportive athletic shoes with laces that hold your foot in place and control motion."

Avoid shoes that are too loose, too tight or unstable. Shoes should provide adequate, support, cushioning and a secure fit without squeezing your toes. Poorly fitting shoes can contribute to bunions, hammertoes, toenail problems and blisters. Flip-flops, slides, and high heels can contribute to tendonitis, heel pain, slips and falls, and toenail changes.

Dr. Calis suggests wearing shoes or sandals with a strap around the ankle most of the time instead of going barefoot, even inside the house, as shoes provide support and cushioning on concrete or hardwood floors and help prevent foot injuries.

Toenails naturally become thicker and harder to care for with age. Regular trimming can help prevent painful ingrown toenails and other complications.

"File your nails regularly to keep them lower and easier to manage," says Dr. Calis. "A few swipes every day or every other day is often easier than waiting until they're very long."

Trim nails straight across and gently file the edges. If you have diabetes, neuropathy, circulation problems or difficulty reaching your feet, seek professional foot care from a podiatrist.

"Not every thick or discolored toenail is caused by fungus," says Dr. Calis.

Healthy circulation supports skin health, wound healing and overall foot function.

"The foot goes through changes as we age," says Dr. Calis. "Joints develop arthritis, ligaments relax and tendons aren't what they used to be. Staying active helps."

To support circulation:

• Walk regularly
• Stretch daily
• Wiggle your toes during periods of sitting
• Elevate your feet when resting
• Try writing the alphabet in the air with your feet to encourage movement

Good hygiene is one of the simplest ways to prevent infections. "That doesn’t mean just splashing water on your feet," says Dr. Calis. "If you haven't scrubbed your feet manually, you haven't washed your feet properly."

Be sure to:

• Wash your feet regularly.

• Gently remove dry, flaky skin.

• Dry carefully between your toes.

• Change socks daily.

Dry skin becomes more common with age, barefoot walking, and seasonal changes such as the use of air conditioning and heating. This can increase the risk of cracks, irritation and infection.

"If your feet are dry, you can use lotion," says Dr. Calis. "Just rub it in well. Don't put lotion between your toes because that can harbor fungal infections."

Apply a gentle moisturizer after bathing, paying special attention to the heels and other dry areas while avoiding the spaces between the toes.

If you notice itching, burning, redness or thickening or discolored nails, talk with a podiatrist.

"We have very effective treatments available today," says Dr. Calis. "The important thing is getting the right diagnosis because not every nail change is fungal."

Fungal infections can be treated with over-the-counter medications, but it’s always best to consult with an expert since these medications must be used and applied correctly.

Many older adults assume foot pain is simply a normal part of aging, but that's not always true.

"If there is pain and discomfort, get it checked out sooner rather than later," says Dr. Calis. "It's much easier to manage acute problems than chronic problems that have been festering for a while."

Regular foot evaluations can help identify issues such as:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Bone spurs
• Neuromas
• Ingrown toenails
• Wounds and ulcers

Your primary care provider can also help identify circulation issues, diabetes-related complications and other health concerns that may affect your feet.

If you notice numbness, swelling, persistent pain or changes in your skin or nails, don't wait to seek care, says Dr. Calis, who encourages patients not to dismiss injuries.

“It’s absolutely not true that nothing can be done for a broken toe. Just because it’s a toe doesn’t mean it’s unimportant.”

Your feet carry you through every stage of life. Paying attention to foot health can help you stay active, independent and comfortable as you age. At Emory Healthcare, our primary care and foot and ankle specialists work together to help you stay healthy from head to toe. To find a provider or schedule an appointment, visit emoryhealthcare.org or call 404-778-3350.

This article was originally published on Sep 16, 2022, and has since been updated.