One of the most neglected care intervention area in the service delivery of Eldercare is Foot Care, known as Podiatry or earlier known as Chiropody.
Podiatry is the specific field of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of foot problems and conditions related to the lower legs.
While most of us tend to take care of our general health however when it comes to feet and nails we assume that cutting our nails are good enough to remain healthy.
Chances of developing podiatry related medical issues may be lower in comparison to heart, blood pressure, diabetes etc however foot care can equally be a problem area especially for people suffering from diabetes.
In a country like India, elderly care is still making inroads, hence it becomes imperative and important that care staff are well trained and aware of the issues related to ageing and associated medical problems.
Attached document, “Basic Foot Care – A resource reference for Personal Care Workers” by Australian Government, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is a short and concise guide.
As per the resource document:
Foot health is not just about the feet – it’s a good indicator of overall health. For example, foot ulcers can be an indication of poorly managed diabetes. Swelling, numbness, coldness and discolouration can be signs of numerous diseases, which is why a daily check of a person’s feet for changes or problems is so important.
Poor foot health can have emotional and psychological impacts. People may feel frustrated about being unable to move easily or embarrassed about foot odour. Their levels of pain or discomfort may be limiting their ability to participate in activities, reducing their enjoyment of life and self esteem.
Foot problems are a common issue for people with diabetes. Poor blood supply is a complication of diabetes and can result in slower healing. This means that cuts and sores may not heal, causing pain and ulcers which can become infected.
The above paragraphs is just a gist of the document with the objective to highlight the need. After reading the guide, I felt it is important for every individual to be aware of Podiatry related issues especially the personal care workers.
Hope this effort of compilation by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs helps the larger cause.
It is suggested to check with the podiatrist for any foot related issues rather than doing self-medication.
The document can be accessed here https://www.dva.gov.au/ or downloaded here (Foot Care for Elderly People) or can be viewed below