Brazil currently has 26 million people over 60 years of age, and that number continues to grow. In 2007 there were 17 million and in 2027 this portion of the population will double, reaching 37 million, according to IBGE projections. These data were released by IBGE 2017.
One of humanity's greatest achievements was the extension of life expectancy, which was accompanied by a substantial improvement in the health parameters of populations, although these achievements are far from being evenly distributed in different countries and in different socioeconomic contexts. Reaching old age, which was once the privilege of a few, is now standard even in the poorest countries. This great achievement of the 20th century, however, has become the greatest challenge of today.
The aging of the entire population is not enough. Living longer is important as long as you can add quality to the additional years of life. This phenomenon of prolonging life expectancy initially occurred in developed countries, but more recently it is in developing countries that population aging has occurred more sharply.
According to Dr. Alexandre Kalache, Brazilian physician, the international authority on aging and longevity, healthy aging rests on three pillars:
- Quality of interpersonal relationships;
- Health;
- Financial reserve.
I want to talk about the health item. More precisely about the health of the feet: it is extremely important for the well-being of the elderly.
That's because the feet support the body, allowing for a greater degree of independence. This is often pointed out as one of the main factors for quality of life in old age.
So, if you want to know more about Podiatry and how the elderly client can prepare, thus contributing to a better service by professionals, you are in the right place.
In addition, you will also find the ways in which I, Podiatrist, try to make the sessions more enjoyable for these clients. Come on?
What is podiatry and how can it help seniors?
Podiatry works to prevent problems, correct them and maintain the health of the feet. This is very important for everyone, but it is especially necessary in old age.
It is very common for elderly people to experience pain in their feet and toenails. However, this is not normal: pain is a sign of a problem and a professional can help solve it.
Remember: your feet deserve all the attention and their health is an important point for the elderly's quality of life.
This is because they directly influence independence, an important factor both for the well-being and for the quality of relationships.
When the focus is on the elderly, sessions with the professional may require more detailed preparation, both by the client and the professional.
The elderly client has some specific needs, as well as some limitations that require attention.
Next, learn more about this preparation.
With respect to the customer
The customer must have 90 minutes for the first service. For later appointments, plan for around half of this time.
The longer time for the first appointment is due to the need to carry out an assessment in order to identify the biggest problems and what needs to be done.
It is important to empty your bladder and bowel before starting work, whenever possible.
Before the service, it is necessary to prepare a list with the medications you use, their prescriptions and indications. Also remember to take your medication if you need to use it during the procedure.
If the client has Diabetes Mellitus, it is essential to ensure that the service is carried out within a 3-hour interval of feeding.
As for clothing, try to enable the professional to have visual access up to the knees. That is, wear long pants with legs that are wide enough to be folded. This helps ensure an easier and more thorough assessment.
If you have any special needs, remember to ensure that this is informed to the podiatrist before the service. Thus, the professional can prepare and adapt the space when necessary.
In case of home care or home care, among other measures, it is important that the place where the service will be carried out has good lighting and an outlet nearby. Also, reserve a comfortable chair for the customer.
Regarding the professional
The podiatrist who will attend an elderly client also needs specific preparations.
For example, having two times for a first service, ensuring that the process is carried out with peace of mind and sufficient time for the evaluation.
Check out some other measures that the professional should take:
- When possible, seek information before the service about the client's communication, health and mobility conditions;
- Adapt the protocol of procedures for instruments and products that are efficient and avoid causing pain;
- Request the support of a family member or caregiver, whenever direct communication with the client is not possible or made difficult due to, for example, Alzheimer's disease;
- Suggest a glass of water and use the bathroom before and at the end of the service;
- Deliver the basic recommendations for foot health, in writing, to the client or, if applicable, to his/her companion.
In my appointments, I add a series of cares to the repertoire. Among these, I believe that paying attention to the signals given by the client, such as facial expressions and other body movements are important points. Not every elderly person is able to express discomfort verbally.
To make the service environment more pleasant, I use calm music in the background during my work, offering clients the opportunity to relax while I fulfill my mission.
According to the geriatrician and gerontologist Dr Ana Claudia Quintana Arantes, it is very difficult to identify when the client with dementia is in contact with reality. Therefore, we must be extremely careful with words.
If the professional is invited to talk to the client, all attention is little when it comes to tone of voice. Sensitivity is one of the outstanding characteristics for this client.
Therefore, expressing affection in dialogue has very positive effects during the service.
“Gerontolescence means being around the world, active, creating a new construction that is getting old” - Dr Alexandre Kalache.
