With all the talk on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, people can often forget one very important, but frequently neglected part of the body: feet.
"Foot problems are a health concern that can lead to further complications like knee, hip and lower-back pain, all of which undermine mobility,” Dr. Michael King, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
To keep feet healthy and pain-free, the news source suggested various exercises seniors can try, including keeping a regular walking schedule, giving feet a daily bathing with soap and moisturizer, as well as filing toes and keeping an eye on any arthritis in the body that may also affect the feet.
Although keeping feet healthy and clean may seem obvious, it is often neglected, and Dr. King told the media outlet the feet are an essential part of your body, and need to be treated as such. “"The human foot has been called the mirror of health. Systemic problems often related to age, such as diabetes, arthritis, and circulatory disease often can first be detected in the feet,” he said.
For those with arthritis, many assisted living communities specialize in providing care, and should be considered for both comfort and health.