Unhappy Feet

[question everything]

It was a long article in the AARP Bulletin from May. It mentioned how aging feet misbehave: less blood flow, muscle and skeletal issues, slower nail and skin grown and weakened immune system that can lead to fungus and cracked skin.

What caught my eye was about the nerves, that foot sensitivity declines, making it more difficult to determine how hard we strike the ground or whether walking on an uneven surface, risking falls.

Ah-ha, I thought, this is what happened to me two years ago. I was walking outside on the sidewalks/trails which, of course, are uneven. I proudly climbed a steep street - the highest point in the county, I've heard. And, then of course, came the steep decline. And all of a sudden I found myself falling, unable to stop. My body was already in the decline. The only thing that I tried was to fall on the grass on the side. Still scraped my knee and my hand and really hurt my upper arm and shoulder when instinctively set it down to block the fall. No, this is not the way to block a fall, I now know.

So now I am careful of where I put my foot and walk small steps on a downhill.

[Cartoonist]

1. After a series of falls

Some of which I blamed on the uneven ground, but knew it was me, I've upped my walking game. No falls in over a year.

[virgogal]

2. As an 85 year old I can empathize----I have a friend who had to stop driving because of

the feet----scares me to death.

[in2herbs]

3. Custom orthotics help with balance and to tamper the gravity of foot falls. Most Medicare policies

cover this cost, or at least most of it. Also, R-Lipoic Acid helps with peripheral neuropathy and finally soaking feet in Epsom salts. Dr. Teal's Pink Himalayan Mineral Soak (Epsom Salt and EO's) is one, but don't be cheap with the Epsom Salt dose. Soak feet in the hottest water you can stand and leave to soak until water cools. Do this daily or several times a week. I see a lot of seniors using the walking sticks that look like ski poles, they claim they're great.

[lillypaddle]

4. I've had nerve issues with my feet in the last few months (I'm 71.5)

Feels like I have dog hair covering the soles of my feet (I don't), and sometimes get shooting pains. I've told my doc and she acted like it was just part of aging.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. time to find another doc, it seems.

or tell her you want to be referred to a foot doc.

[Lulu KC]

5. Proprioception

A word I learned a few years ago. When your foot stops talking to your brain. P/T helps.

[trof]

7. My balance is not as good.

Just a fact of life at 78.
I use a stick (cane) now and it helps.
I make them, so it's a hobby.