Your feet have carried you through decades of work, family, walks and celebrations. Over time, they change, and the small aches or skin problems we brush off at 40 can become real obstacles at 70. Healthy feet help you stay steady, independent and active. The good news is that most common foot problems in later life are manageable, and many are preventable with a few consistent habits.
How Feet Change With Age
Over a lifetime, feet absorb an enormous amount of impact. With age, the protective fat pad under the heel and ball of the foot thins, ligaments and tendons lose some elasticity, and skin becomes drier and more fragile. Arches may flatten, and toenails often thicken and harden, making them difficult to trim safely. Feet can also widen or lengthen slightly, which is why a shoe size that fit for years may no longer be right.
Circulation and nerve function can also decline, particularly in people with diabetes, vascular disease or arthritis. Reduced sensation means a blister, cut or pressure spot may go unnoticed until it becomes infected. Reduced blood flow means wounds heal slowly. That combination is why routine attention to the feet matters so much.
Common Problems Older Adults Face
Several conditions show up again and again in older adults:
- Bunions, hammertoes and other deformities that make shoes uncomfortable
- Heel pain and arch pain from plantar fasciitis or tendon strain
- Thick, discolored or ingrown toenails, sometimes related to fungus
- Dry, cracked heels, corns and calluses
- Arthritis in the joints of the foot and ankle
- Neuropathy, with numbness, tingling or burning
- Slow-healing sores, particularly in people with diabetes
None of these should be dismissed as simply "part of getting older." Pain that limits walking is a treatable problem, not something you have to accept.
Why It Matters: Balance, Falls and Independence
Falls are a leading cause of injury among adults over 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research has linked foot pain, weak toes, deformities and poor footwear with a higher risk of falling. Feet provide the brain with constant information about the ground beneath you, so pain or numbness can interfere with balance.
For people with diabetes, the stakes are higher still. The American Diabetes Association recommends a comprehensive foot exam at least once a year and daily foot inspection, because undetected sores can progress to serious infection.
Daily Habits That Protect Your Feet
- Look at the tops, soles, heels and between the toes every day, using a mirror or asking a family member for help.
- Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water and dry carefully, especially between the toes.
- Moisturize the heels and soles, but keep lotion out from between the toes.
- Wear clean, dry socks without tight elastic bands, and change them daily.
- Never walk barefoot, even indoors, if you have numbness or diabetes.
- Check your shoes for pebbles or rough seams before putting them on.
Choosing Shoes and Caring for Nails
Good shoes are one of the simplest forms of prevention. Look for a roomy toe box, a firm heel counter, cushioned soles with good traction, and adjustable closures such as laces or straps. Have your feet measured, ideally later in the day when they are slightly swollen, and do not count on shoes stretching. If you have bunions, hammertoes or swelling, extra-depth shoes or custom orthotics may help.
Trim toenails straight across and avoid cutting into the corners, which invites ingrown nails. If your nails are thick, if you cannot reach your feet, or if your vision is limited, ask a professional to do it. Avoid cutting corns and calluses yourself or using medicated pads, which can burn healthy skin.
When to See a Podiatrist
Make an appointment promptly if you notice any of the following:
- A cut, blister or sore that is not improving within a few days
- Redness, warmth, swelling or drainage
- New numbness, tingling or burning
- Color changes, or feet that stay cold or pale
- Pain that changes how you walk or keeps you from activities you enjoy
Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM, provides foot and ankle care in Lafayette, CO. If foot discomfort is slowing you down, call (303) 537-4714 to talk about your concerns. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. Caring for your feet today is an investment in staying mobile and independent for years to come.