We’re privileged here at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists to provide foot care for senior citizens. We serve many wonderful patients who’ve walked this Earth for seven, eight, nine decades or more! Our elderly patients generally have more foot problems than younger folks do. As we age, our feet are more prone to infections, structural changes, thinned padding, arthritis, and the effects of diabetes.

Senior citizens need to take special care of their feet. One of the main reasons is to prevent falling. Healthy feet provide a strong base of support, whereas feet that ache because of conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, fat pad atrophy, or joint pain make a person much less stable. Here’s what seniors or their caregivers should do:

• Examine the feet regularly. Look and feel for anything odd or different such as bent toes out of shape, crumbling toenails (which could indicate a fungal infection), spots that are warm to the touch, white or blue toes (which points to a circulation problem), numb areas, and moles that have changed size, shape or color. Remember to check the bottoms of your feet and in between your toes.
• Promote good circulation to the feet by wearing socks that don’t bind.
• Replace shoes that hurt or have worn soles that can make you slip, or no longer provide good support.
• Exercise! Walking is one of the best exercises for senior citizens. Strengthen your foot muscles by performing foot and toe stretches every day.
• Contact expert podiatrists Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts if you have foot pain that lasts for more than a couple of days or any other troubling symptoms. We offer caring treatment for the elderly, and the convenience of digital x-rays and diagnostic ultrasounds performed right here in our Montgomery office.

Senior citizens who take good care of their feet lead happier, more active lives. Call us at (334) 396-3668 or make an appointment online so we can address your concerns. We’re here to help you stay comfortably on your feet for as long as possible.