What Seniors in Hot Springs, AR Can Do to Keep Their Nails Healthy

Unfortunately, adults often forget to take care of their nails, even though it's essential to personal grooming. Researchers have found that a person's nails can show signs of significant health problems. Because of this, older people or a loved one must keep an eye on their nails and prioritize preventative care.

What changes about nails as we age?

Your nails change as you age, just like every other part of your body. As people age, their nails often change into:

• Different shades of color, from clear and shiny to yellow and opaque
• More time to grow
• More dense and hard
• More likely to get fungus diseases near the nail beds
• More likely to break and brittle
• More likely to have problems with ingrown toes, such as infection, pain, and trouble walking

What can seniors do to keep their nails healthy?

Seniors may not prioritize trimming their fingernails and toenails as much as they should because of health, movement, or mental health issues. On the other hand, here are some things you can do to lower the chance of problems:

Go to a doctor
Going to a doctor should be a regular part of preventive care for seniors. Going to the doctor is even more critical if you or someone you care about has diabetes, which can make it hard to heal and improve circulation. Diabetes can also lead to foot illnesses.

A podiatrist can look at your senior's feet, teach them how to cut their toenails so they don't get ingrown, and cut their toenails if they can't do it themselves. A helper from Visiting Angels can help your loved one remember their doctor visits and get to and from them.

Allow your feet to breathe.
Seniors can improve their balance and stability by wearing shoes and socks around the house. This makes it less likely that they will trip and fall. But shoes and socks keep your feet warm and damp, which may make getting foot fungus more likely. Fungal diseases are less likely if you let your feet and toes "breathe" by putting them somewhere outside. For less chance of getting a fungal illness, ensure your feet and toes are dry after a bath or shower.

Regularly cut your nails.
Germs, dead skin cells, and dirt lurk under nails, so trimming them may reduce the spread of germs and infection. You should look at your nails every week and file or trim them as needed. If your older adult has thicker nails, trimming them after a warm bath or shower may make them softer and easier to cut.

If your older adult has diabetes, check with their primary care provider about nail care recommendations. Some older adults may need a podiatrist to trim their toenails. Using a nail file straight across can smooth rough spots after trimming. A file can be used alone if your older adult has thinner nails.

Eat the proper nutrients.
Eating a diet rich in fruits, leafy grains, lean meats, salmon, beans, eggs, nuts, whole grains, and calcium and vitamins A, B, and C can help support nail health. Your senior's podiatrist or primary care provider can recommend foods or supplements that support healthy nails, and a Visiting Angels of Hot Springs caregiver can prepare meals that include these items.

Nail care is an integral part of personal grooming. Learn how Visiting Angels of Hot Springs can provide you or a loved one with grooming assistance or other personal care needs by scheduling a free home care consultation. 

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