HarborView Senior Assisted Living operates from an elegant, 30-bed, historic home built in 1927! Our thoughtful and thorough renovation preserved the beautiful historic features while adding all the necessary modern amenities to create a safe and spacious setting for your loved one. Our members enjoy lush gardens, a gorgeous patio area, fantastic views of downtown San Diego, and charming accommodations.
Being a member of our boutique assisted living communities in Southern California has many benefits. One of these benefits is that we can arrange and accommodate mobile health and wellness services that can be an important part of your loved one's overall care.
Podiatry Services for Older Adults
Last month we talked about one of these important services we accommodate in our senior living communities: palliative care. This month we're highlighting another essential mobile care service that can be booked for our members: podiatry services.
Why are podiatry services essential to an overall care plan for older adults? How do we accommodate mobile podiatry services in our boutique assisted living communities?
Why Foot Care is a Must for Seniors
Caring for our feet is essential to leading a pain-free and active lifestyle throughout our lifetime. However, as individuals age, mobility and flexibility often become increasingly limited. One of the many issues this presents is that caring for one's feet can become challenging.
Unfortunately, many older adults do not receive proper foot care, which can lead to some painful and potentially serious issues. Here are some of the issues a podiatrist or podiatry service addresses.
- Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails are common in elderly individuals. Significant damage can occur to the toe if ingrown toenails become infected. A podiatrist trims nails and cares for ingrown nails before damage occurs.
- Specialized Footwear: Footwear should be checked regularly to ensure it meets the needs of the individual. As many seniors wear heavy orthopedic footwear, socks and shoes must be removed, and the feet cleaned and dried thoroughly and regularly to prevent fungal infections.
- Diabetes and Foot Care: Regular inspection of the feet is important for seniors with diabetes, a prevalent issue among the elderly. Podiatrists check specially for sores on the feet that won't heal, a common comorbidity of diabetes.
- Injury Prevention and Awareness: A podiatrist inspects the feet and ankles closely and regularly, looking for any swelling, sores, or bruises that could become bigger problems down the road.
Home Foot Care for Elderly Individuals
If you're caring for a loved one at home, there are preventative measures you can take to make sure their feet stay healthy. Knowing when to seek medical attention for foot-related issues is also vital. If your loved one is ever experiencing significant pain or has a cut or rash on their feet that won't heal, please seek medical help. Some salons offer medical podiatry services or medical pedicures. Many seniors enjoy receiving foot care in a salon setting. Here are a few essential at-home foot care tips for elderly loved ones:
- Moisturize
- Keep toenails trimmed
- Look for sores
- Get the right shoes
Comfortable Setting for Podiatry Care
In addition to providing an alternative to institutional care, our beautiful rooms and grounds evoke an inviting, homey feel with enough space to accommodate specialized equipment for mobile podiatry care. In addition, our caregivers and staff are familiar with the providers and organizations that offer podiatry care services for the elderly. We collaborate with them to ensure your loved one is comfortable and comprehensively cared for.
