There is a saying that goes, ‘You need to put your best foot forward,’ but what does that mean for ageing feet? Foot care is important at all ages, but being kind to your feet as you age can ensure you are able to continue to enjoy your favourite activities like walking, shopping, and staying active.
1. Wear correct shoes
Choosing shoes that fit correctly is an important first step to ensure your feet are supported throughout the day. Balancing fashion and comfort can easily be accomplished in today’s footwear world.
There should be optimal arch support, cushioning, and a roomy toe box to prevent issues like bunions, corns, and calluses. Your chosen shoes must allow for natural movement without constriction, without rolling out to either side, or putting unnecessary pressure on specific areas of the foot.
Running shoes are the best option, as they provide shock-absorbing soles which make them extra comfortable while walking.
2. Good nail care
Brittle and dry toenails are something that comes with ageing. Take good care of your toenails by cutting the nail with 1-2 mm of the white nail across, and file around the edges to prevent ingrown toenails or fungus which can cause thick and mis-shaped toenails.
3. Give your feet a spa day
Treat yourself to a 10-15 minute foot soak with half a cup of Epsom salts in warm water, and to make it more of a sensory experience, add some essential oils such as peppermint to refresh, or lavender to relax.
Massage your feet with a thick foot cream such as
Natural Foot Butter to moisturise and smooth the skin, when stretching your toes and massaging the soles of your feet.
4. Check feet regularly
Prevention is better than cure. Regular self-examinations to check your feet for any abnormalities such as cuts, sores, bruises, corns, calluses, warts, fungus, yellow toenails, or changes in colour, will help catch potential issues early and seek prompt medical attention if needed.
5. Attend to any discomfort or pain
If you have any ongoing foot pain, please see a professional about it; it could be for no apparent reason, or you may have trauma you are unaware of, but painful feet are not a normal part of ageing, so please do not ignore it.
6. Stay Active
Maintaining a healthy weight and an active lifestyle will help your feet cope with the changes of ageing. Too much weight causes foot pain and potentially irreversible damage to the ligaments and tendons.
Walking is not only a free form of exercise, but it tones up muscles, helps to strengthen arches and stimulates blood circulation. Just 15 minutes a day of walking provides a range of health benefits including a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cholesterol and high blood pressure. Walking also improves strength, flexibility, balance, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Taking care of your feet is essential for maintaining overall health and mobility as you age. By following these six tips, you can keep your feet healthy, prevent common foot problems, and continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. Your feet carry you through life, so give them the care they deserve.
