Module 5: Footwear and Foot Care

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Frederick Hall
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1 Module 5: Footwear and Foot Care Learning Goals: To increase awareness of the importance of safe footwear To learn the importance of foot care Key Messages: If your feet hurt, you will be less active and may fall easier 1. Safe Footwear: Non-slip / skid soles Front of the shoe wide enough to prevent toes bunching and long enough to allow secure, comfortable fit (¼ space between longest toe and end of the shoe) Choose low, wide heels for comfort and stability. Be sure your footwear has good arch support 2. Good Foot Care: If you have diabetes or poor sensation in your feet see a foot doctor (podiatrist) Cut your toenails straight across and not too short See foot doctor for foot changes: calluses, corns, hammer toes, ingrown toenails 3. April is Foot Health Awareness Month Readings: Alberta Podiatry Association - Itemid=11 Samples of winter traction devices for footwear Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 1 of 10

2 Let s Talk About Footwear and Foot Care Source: Microsoft Office Clipart Collection Date: Time: Place: Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 2 of 10

3 Lesson Plan Site: Date: Module Number: 5 Preparation Introduction Footwear and Foot Care Advertising arranged? e..g. posters printed, room booked To learn about the importance of safe footwear and foot care. Time 5 min Learning Goals Key Messages Activity 10 min Increase awareness of the importance of safe footwear Learn the importance of foot care If your feet hurt you will be less active and more at-risk for falling Safe footwear has: Back that covers heel Fits snug Deep toe box Sole has a good grip but does not stick to carpet Wide and round heel Look for blisters, cuts calluses, swelling Keep toenails trim Dry well between the toes Use Pictures to facilitate discussion Review footwear samples: Shoes Socks Socks with square end Winter walking aids Review information resources on foot care together and discuss Learning Resources Choose the resources that are appropriate to your group Summary Repeat the Key Messages 5 min Evaluation Pick from list of Reflective Questions and record responses for evaluation purposes 5 min Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 3 of 10

4 Module 5 Resources: 1. Pictures Risky Footwear Foot Skeleton in see-through shoe 2. Self-Test Footwear Foot Care 3. Information Finding Balance A Million Messages Information sheet Be Falls Smart In What You Do Foot Care and Foot Wear (go to download) VON Foot Care: Put Your Best Foot Forward Alberta Podiatry Association &Itemid=11 4. Samples of foot wear Ladies and men s walking shoe, sandals, slippers, specialty shoes Long handle shoe horn 5. Alberta Aids to Daily Living Vendor list for Therapeutic Shoes inserts Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 4 of 10

5 Evaluation Reflective Questions: At the end of each presentation, pick one of these questions. Ask the whole group the question or go around the room to each participant. Preface: Let's take a few minutes to think about what we've heard and how we'll use it in our lives. Questions: What's one thing you will start doing after this talk? What's one thing you will stop doing after this talk? What's one thing you will change after this talk? What's one thing you'll do today or this week because of what you have just learned? Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 5 of 10

6 Risky Footwear can cause falls Correct Slippers have sturdy soles and closed heels Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 6 of 10

SOURCE: http://www.pediatric-orthopedics.com/taluswhite_sm.

7 SOURCE: Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 7 of 10

8 Self-Test: Footwear This test will help you see how to prevent a fall from poor footwear. Questions: Never Sometimes Always I wear shoes or boots with a good tread on the soles I wear shoes that fit well I wear shoes or boots that I know are safe I wear slippers with closed toes and heels I wear stockings or socks with safe footwear in and around the house I wear shoes or boots with a heel height of less than one inch I wear shoe inserts that fit well Adapted from Robson, E., Edwards, Dr. J. & Howell, Dr J. (1996). A Guide for Seniors to Assess Their Risks for Falling: Steady as You Go. Capital Health Authority, Public Health Services. Tips: Buy shoes and boots with treads - watch for sales If your shoes do not fit well give them away If your favourite shoes are unsafe get them fixed Buy supportive slippers with a closed toe and heel Only wear shoes with heels on special occasions Have a shoe specialist adjust your orthotics Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 8 of 10

9 Self-Test: Foot Care If your feet hurt, you will be less active and may fall easier As you age, the skin on your feet gets thin Toenails Do you know? Become thicker and hard to cut Blood flow may be less to your legs and feet Sores on the feet heal slower This test shows that healthy feet can prevent a fall. Questions: Never Sometimes Always I keep my toenails neatly trimmed I tend to calluses or corns before they hurt. I have sores on my feet I seek professional help for my foot deformity (e.g. hammer toes, bunions) I have good sensation (feeling) in my feet and lower legs Adapted from Robson, E.., Edwards, Dr. J., & Howell, Dr J. (1996). A Guide for Seniors to Assess Their Risks for Falling: Steady as You Go. Capital Health Authority, Public Health Services. Tips: People with diabetes need specific foot care See a podiatrist if you have sores on your feet or have trouble cutting your toenails Always keep your feet clean and wear socks Purchase special footwear if required If you lose feeling in your feet, get medical attention Practice picking up a pencil with your toes - flexible toes are part of foot fitness Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 9 of 10

10 Suggested Inventory List for Module 5 Kit Module 5: Footwear and Foot Care Quantity Item (s) Comments 1 Folder with Module 5 lesson Pictures for group discussion Risky Footwear Foot Bones inside clear shoe Handouts List of local VON foot care services Be falls smart In what you do Footwear and Footcare Choose 1 or 2 handouts appropriate for your group (consider literacy level) Good supporting slipper with closed heel and Velcro or elastic closure Winter walking aids can be purchased to fit over boot or good tread winter boot Runner or shoe made of leather with bendable sole Move n Mingle - Module 5 Footwear and Foot Care Page 10 of 10

Diabetes and Foot Problems

Diabetes and Foot Problems How can diabetes affect my feet? For people with diabetes, having too much glucose (sugar) in their blood for a long time can cause some serious complications, including foot