Caring for feet

December 22, 2025

Our feet are complex tools of mobility. Each foot has twenty-six bones and thirty-three joints, plus numerous muscles and nerves to orchestrate their movement. They carry us for thousands of miles. But with age, joints stiffen, arches flatten, and natural padding thins out (ouch!).

Because of these changes, one in three older adults experience foot problems, such as

  • bunions: bony growths at the base of the big toe
  • calluses and corns: thick dead skin on the toes and heels
  • hammertoes: toes that curl up or fold under
  • toenail changes: thick, discolored, or ingrown nails
  • heel pain: bone spurs or an inflamed ligament in the arch

It gets more complicated if your relative has a chronic disease. In the foot, this may cause

  • loss of sensation (common with diabetes and heart disease)
  • deformities from arthritis or gout
  • lesions that can’t be seen or felt

Here’s how you can help your loved one stay safe and comfortable on their feet:

  • Inspect their feet regularly. Ideally, soak their feet in warm water softened with Epsom salts. Then dry the feet thoroughly. Check for ingrown nails, cuts, hot spots, redness, or swelling. Clip the toenails straight across. Massage in skin cream or lotion.
  • Ensure socks and shoes fit well. Make sure socks don’t bunch up in shoes and aren’t so tight that they leave dents in the calf. Have their shoe size checked by a podiatrist or in the store. Shop for new shoes at the end of the day, when feet are apt to be swollen. There should be a half inch of space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe’s toe box. Don’t assume new shoes will stretch out. Encourage wearing cushy, supportive, nonslip shoes around the house.
  • Seek professional support. Have a podiatrist or other trained healthcare professional evaluate your relative’s feet, especially if there is pain. Treatment may be as simple as a new pair of shoes or buying the right orthotic.

Is an older adult in your life struggling with self-care?
Maybe they can’t tend to their feet as well as they once could. Or maybe there’s another condition they are having trouble managing. As the Iowa City, Muscatine and Cedar Rapids experts in family caregiving, we at Iowa City Hospice know that there is only so much you can do. We can help by assessing their situation and making recommendations for care. Give us a call at 1-800-897-3052, toll-free to learn more.