As people age, nearly all their body systems diminish in efficiency. This also applies to the feet as well. The feet of elderly family members need to be given special attention because they play a vital role in helping that person to enjoy the limited mobility that he or she may still have. Here are some simple measures that you can take to ensure that the feet of your elderly family member are well taken care of.

Know When to Go Shopping for Shoes

The feet keep altering in size depending on the time of the day. For instance, the feet are at the largest size in the afternoon when the heat of the day (coupled with several hours of use) has made the tissues in the feet to swell to their largest size. This is the best time to go shopping for shoes for your elderly family member. You can be sure that those shoes will always be comfortable if they can fit him or her in the afternoon when he or she tries them on. This will save that person from suffering from injuries that are caused by wearing shoes that don't fit well.

Keep the Feet Warm at Night

Some of the discomfort that elderly people may feel at night can come from the limited blood flow to their feet due to the vessels becoming constricted when it becomes cold. You can protect your loved one from such discomfort by buying them bed-socks so that they can wear them at night in order to keep their feet warm.

Moisturise the Feet Frequently

Elderly people are more prone to having dry skin on their feet. Such skin can easily be damaged because it is not as flexible as oily skin. Any damage on his or her feet can give room to microbes to get into your elderly family member's bloodstream. Avoid such risks by moisturising his or her feet often, especially during hot weather. For instance, you can apply a moisturising cream on the feet twice each day.

Check the Feet Often

The weakened immune system of elderly people may make them more prone to suffering from foot infections, such as the growth of fungus between the toes. You should check that person's feet regularly for any signs of infection so that prompt treatment is provided before any infection progresses to advanced stages.

The tips above may not be sufficient to protect your elderly family member from all the possible risks that his or her feet face on a daily basis. It may therefore be prudent for you to consult a podiatrist for advice and help in dealing with any foot issues that your relative may be having so that those problems don't compromise the quality of life of that individual.