Most of us notice the pain from a blister right away, but for someone with diabetes that warning may not be felt. One of the lifelong side effects of diabetes is damage to the nerves in the feet, and a small cut may go unnoticed for days. That is why it is very important that diabetic foot care is a part of the daily routine of older adults with diabetes.
Why Diabetes Puts Feet at Risk
Pain is the body’s alarm system, and diabetes-related nerve damage makes it much more difficult to feel the pain signals around your body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, most often in the feet and legs. The level of nerve damage varies from person to person where some notice tingling or numbness, and others notice nothing at all.
Poor blood flow causes wounds to heal very slowly, so a blister nobody sees can quickly become an infected sore. In serious cases, an infection that does not respond to treatment can lead to amputation. Most people with diabetes can prevent serious foot complications with regular diabetic foot care at home and consistent doctor visits.
Build a Daily Diabetic Foot Care Routine
Start your diabetic foot care routine with a daily check. Every day check the tops, soles, and spaces between your toes for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness, corns, calluses, or changes in the skin or nails. Do it even when your feet feel fine, because there could be issues that go unnoticed due to nerve damage. If you cannot see your soles, use a mirror or ask someone you trust to look.
It is very important for effective diabetic foot care to remain consistent in your daily checks, so you can catch any small problems before they turn into serious medical issues.
When washing your feet use warm water, not hot, because nerve damage can dull the sense of heat. Have someone else check the temperature first to make sure that you are not damaging your feet with extremely hot water. For the most effective long term diabetic foot care, pat your feet completely dry, then moisturize the tops and bottoms, but not between the toes, where extra moisture can lead to an infection.
Shoes, Socks, and Everyday Protection
Going barefoot leaves feet open to scrapes and stubbed toes that may go unfelt. When walking around your home, wear shoes with socks or slippers to avoid any potential damage to your feet.
How well your shoes fit matters as well. With reduced feeling, a shoe that rubs may not seem uncomfortable until a blister has formed. When trying on shoes do it later in the day, because that is when your feet are at their largest.
Keep the Blood Moving
Sit with your feet propped up whenever you can, and take a few minutes throughout the day to wiggle your toes. Walking, cycling, chair yoga, and swimming are all great exercises that are gentle on the feet. Exercise is very important, even 10 to 20 minutes of activity a day is great for your mental and physical health. At Jewel Place, walking groups and exercise classes can make staying active more social.
How Assisted Living Can Make Foot Care Easier
Daily diabetic foot care is simple, but not always easy. Bending down to see your soles or reaching your toes can be tricky with limited mobility.
At Jewel Place Senior Living, the care team develops a customized care plan for each resident. A full-time licensed nurse is available 24 hours a day for clinical oversight and coordination of care, and our staff are trained to provide personal care.
When to Call the Doctor
Even with careful diabetic foot care, problems can still appear. If you notice any of these, call your doctor or podiatrist right away instead of waiting for your next appointment:
- A new blister, sore, ulcer, or a corn or toenail that looks infected
- Tingling, burning, or pain in the feet, or trouble feeling touch, heat, or cold
- A change in the color or temperature of your feet
- Pain or cramping in the legs during physical activity
Early treatment helps keep a tiny issue from becoming a big one, and your doctor or podiatrist will tailor their care directly to you.
Helping a parent or spouse with diabetic foot care can feel like a lot. The team at Jewel Place Senior Living is glad to talk through how daily support fits into assisted living. Explore the lifestyle options to see what everyday life looks like, then plan a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should seniors with diabetes have their feet examined?
Ask for a foot check at every primary care visit. The CDC recommends a complete exam with a podiatrist yearly, or more often with nerve damage, including checks for feeling and blood flow.
Can residents get help with diabetic foot care in assisted living?
It depends on the community and the resident’s care plan. At Jewel Place Senior Living, trained staff help with personal care, and a licensed nurse provides clinical oversight. Ask how a doctor’s foot-care instructions fit the plan.
Is it safe to trim toenails or remove corns at home?
Toenails can be trimmed straight across, with sharp edges smoothed using a nail file. If seeing or reaching your toes is difficult, a podiatrist can help. Leave corns and calluses alone, and skip over-the-counter removers, which can burn skin.