Aches and pains in feet and lower legs are considered a common part of growing old, but they shouldn’t be. With the right care and support, you can keep foot problems at bay as well as reduce the symptoms and discomfort of existing conditions. Whether you suffer from foot issues or provide care to someone who does, here’s what you need to know.
What Kind of Foot Problems Do Seniors Face?
Feet generally show signs of aging when you’re in your fifties, but like other health conditions, they could start earlier or later. Advancing age is often accompanied by reduced mobility and blood flow, as well as medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.
These and other age-related health issues can foot problems such as:
- Aching or paining feet and joints, usually as a result of normal wear and tear
- Increasingly dry and fragile skin, prone to rashes, itching and inflammation
- Losing skin elasticity, which is the main cause of wrinkles forming with age
- Swelling in the calves, ankles and feet, caused by blood pooling in the veins
- Spider veins and varicose veins, which occur as a result of poor circulation
- Clawing of toes and stiffness in the joints, due to conditions such as arthritis
- Foot ulcers, loss of sensation and slow healing wounds caused by diabetes
- Higher risk of Athlete’s Foot, toenail fungus and bacterial skin infections
- Blisters, bunions and chafing, generally caused by ill-fitting footwear
- Loss of body heat in cold weather, causing discomfort, chilblains, etc.
- Higher risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and blood clots in the leg
Most of these conditions affect mobility and comfort to some degree, but they also have an impact on mental health and wellbeing. Foot problems can affect your ability to perform routine tasks, keep you from socializing with people, and even cause issues with exercising to stay fit. Constant pain can also lead to stress, anxiety and depression!
Regular Foot Care Reduces Age-Related Foot Issues
Taking good care of your feet can help prevent foot problems as you get older. Follow a proper routine for foot care, right from keeping your feet clean and dry to choosing the correct footwear for daily use. Moisturize your feet regularly, but avoid the areas between your toes, and make sure you wear warm copper compression socks when the temperature drops.
Wearing compression clothing can help boost circulation and muscle recovery, which is why compression socks are so popular among athletes, pregnant women and the elderly. Socks made with copper fabric are great for seniors too, since copper has antibacterial and anti-odor properties. It also boosts thermal regulation and skin health.
Copper compression clothes combine the benefits of copper with graduated compression, so wearing copper infused compression socks is a great way to alleviate foot problems.
Why Should Seniors Wear Copper Compression Socks?
Here’s why copper compression socks and stockings are so important for foot care, especially as you get older:
- They boost blood flow and reduce circulation-related problems such as cold feet, DVT, edema or swelling in the feet, spider veins and varicose veins, etc.
- They rejuvenate skin and make it more flexible, since copper promotes the synthesis of collagen and elastin, as well as angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels).
- They are designed with moisture wicking materials that draw sweat away, but copper is also helpful for regulating moisture to keep skin from getting too dry.
- They help with thermal regulation and prevent issues such as chilblains by reducing the loss of body heat and keeping feet warm in colder months.
- They’re extremely helpful for diabetics with neuropathy of the feet, giving relief from the symptoms of diabetic foot problems and protecting against infection.
- They are an essential part of preventive foot care, since copper is a powerful natural antimicrobial that fights skin infections, odors and even inflammation or blisters.
- They improve muscle performance and recovery, reducing the chances of strain and stiffness after exercising or even just walking around during the day.
- They can be worn throughout the day and even at night without worrying about odors, since copper infused fabric is self-sterilizing and doesn’t need frequent washing.
Anyone who has suffered from foot problems understands how uncomfortable and stressful they can be. Preventive care and good footwear can help, but get a check-up if you have a foot condition that affects your mobility or seems to be getting worse. Timely treatment can keep minor issues from becoming more serious!
