Page 4 - Senior Scene SA 2019

PAGE 4 www.sa.seniorsbook.com.au

“Podiatry that adds value to

people’s lives.”

• ADELAIDE • BURNSIDE • EVANDALE • KENSINGTON • MAGILL
• MAYLANDS • NORWOOD • ST PETERS • TOORAK • PAYNEHAM

The biggest challenge to mobility

as we age: Pain and Inactivity

Most of us want to live long, happy the risk of further falls when you GP and optometrist, healthy eating, Pain in the feet, knees, ankles
lives, so here’s some sound advice. finally get back on your feet. This avoiding stress and sun damage. or legs, is a key reason people
If you want to live longer - look after vicious cycle may perpetuate loss of But how many of us have been stop exercising. But, when activity
your feet so you can stay active. confidence, independence, earlier taught the value of being proactive stops, health deteriorates and life
admission to a nursing home and with our feet? Interestingly, health expectancy drops.
By the time you are 80, your feet a significant reduction in quality of issues and diseases such as
will have carried you over 160,000 health and lifestyle activites. diabetes, gout, obesity, high blood This is where your podiatrist can
kilometres and suffered the wear pressure, osteoporosis, depression, step in and get the job done safely.
and tear of that work. If you were After the age of 75, minor anxiety, high cholesterol, arthritis Having healthy feet that are well
once sporty, then the distance bone abnormalities can develop are linked to sedentary lifestyles. supported, with pain addressed
will be greater. If you suffered into serious deformities and foot or managed, will keep you more
foot issues, injuries or wore problems which increase the What is the one treatment that active, more independent and more
inappropriate footwear, then the likelihood of falls and may result in is ‘free’ and common to the socially and emotionally ineractive.
damage to your ankles, knees, hips serious injuries. The skin becomes management of all these issues? Regular podiatry visits will help you
and back will probably be causing increasingly fragile. Your feet are maintain safe nail and skin care and
you pain niggles, lumps and bumps. more prone to injury from unstable Exercise! Exercise has many address emerging issues before
Yet, your feet still have to carry you walking patterns and you may bear positive health benefits, from they become serious.
for the rest of your life - especially the brunt of ill-fitting shoes worn in reduced glucose levels, weight,
if you intend to remain healthy and the past. These issues place extra blood pressure and cholesterol My Family Podiatrist has spent many
active. pressure on easily broken skin. With to enhanced mood, blood flow, years specializing in treatments that
ageing, it becomes more difficult to stronger bones and muscles and help people maintain active, pain-
In the over 60’s age group managed lower limbs.
pain and mobility issues become recover from sustained injuries and better management of arthritis.
common disappointments for skin infections, because the immune Your body was designed to move. Come and see us.
system finds it harder to respond.
people, at a time in their lives when So small cuts, callus and corns can What is the one thing that stops Keep your feet healthy and
they are freed up to finally do the stay active. It’s a prescription
things they would like to do. So, take rapidly become infected ulcerations. people from exercising or living for a longer, happier life.
a moment to visualize your life with Nail care becomes another major an active life? Pain!
feet in constant pain, affecting your concern, because of difficulty
mobility and your capability to do the bending down to cut toenails. Ten tips for staying mobile as you age
tasks of daily living. It’s easy to see Additionally, toe nails may harden 1. Stay connected to activities in to keep cracked skin feel more
why our feet become a big concern and thicken, requiring more your local community. comfortable, followed by a good
as we age. But there’s more. strength to cut, at a time in life 2. Attend to foot infections or moisturizer for skin softness.
when strength is diminishing. Poor
In the 70’s age groups previous ingrown nails quickly. 7. Have an annual foot check with
injuries and complications start eyesight makes it harder to see 3. If eyesight or strength are your podiatrist.
to take a toll on mobility and foot what to cut without causing injury. diminishing have someone cut 8. Have your feet measured each
health. Problems with bones and Ingrown toenails can easily become your nails correctly. time you buy shoes. Wear clean
joints (e.g. arthritis) are common. infected, due to poor cutting and and dry socks every day. Ask
Swollen joints, bony spurs and lumpy lowered immunity. So, it is essential 4. Walk in supportive footwear. you podiatrist for information on
bunions may become incredibly to have nails trimmed properly. Your podiatrist can advise on caring for elderly feet.
painful, impede walking and increase Proper foot care is fundamental footwear for your foot type. 9. Safe nail trimming that avoids
your likelihood of falls. You are more to the overall good health, pain 5. Walk every day: If you have injury and cuts.
prone to falls when you have balance management and mobility of balance issues, use a walking
issues or an altered gait due to people as they age. frame/stick. 10. A podiatry referral from your
pain. Falls can generate injuries GP for a Medicare Plan if you
that lead to time off your feet. This You learned early in life about 6. Apply foot and leg skin care: have a chronic disease e.g.
results in weakened muscles and regular check ups at the dentist, Take advantage of a foot bath diabetes, Parkinson’s

115 Portrush Rd Evandale SA 5069 OPENING HOURS
P. (08) 8362 9969 Mon 8.30 am - 5.30 pm Thur 8.30 am - 7.00 pm

M. 0477 449 902 Tues 8.30 am - 5.30 pm Fri 8.30 am - 5.30 pm
E. reception@mfpsa.com.au Wed 8.30 am - 7.00 pm Sat 8.30 am - 11.00 am

myfamilypodiatrist.com.au ssmsa5030