Nail Care Tips for Senior Citizens
Is your elderly loved one having trouble taking care of their nails? Maybe, they aren’t able to bend down and cut their own toenails? They may have shaky hands and aren’t able to properly or safely cut their fingernails either. It is important that your elderly loved one is taking care of their nails. However, they may need help from you or personal care at home providers. Learning more about nail care for senior citizens can help you to know what to do to help.
Not Cutting Their Own Nails
As just noted, some elderly people have shaky hands. If this is the case, they are more likely to cut themselves with fingernail or toenail clippers. If you are worried that this may happen to your elderly loved one, it may be best for you or an elderly care provider to cut their nails for them. By doing that, your elderly loved one also will not need to bend over to cut their own toenails. This can save them from a lot of back and neck issues.
In-Home Nail Care Services
Did you know that many nail care companies do offer in-home nail care services? Does your elderly loved one not like to leave their home unless they have to? Do they have a health condition that prevents them from going out of their home? If either of these is the case for your elderly loved one, it may be a good idea to check into those at-home nail care services. Someone could come to your loved one’s house and give them a manicure or a pedicure. If your elderly loved one doesn’t feel comfortable having someone over while they are alone, you or a senior care provider could be there during the appointments.
Taking Precautions
Sometimes, precautions must be taken when caring for your elderly loved one’s nails. For example, if your elderly loved one tried cutting their own nails and it caused excessive bleeding, they could have a bleeding disorder. You should have them see their doctor for this. In addition, if you or a personal care at home provider notice your elderly loved one has fungus on their toes, make sure they get treatment for this, as well.
Conclusion
Now that you have more details and tips for nail care in the elderly, you can start helping your elderly loved one to take better care of their nails. Don’t forget that if you or a personal care at home provider notice health issues with your elderly loved one’s fingernails or toenails, you should have them get it checked out by their doctor.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6339366/