Esperance Podiatry
Rebecca Rushton BSc(Pod)

Foot Care for Older People

Nail care, corns, callus, footwear advice and falls prevention for older people in Esperance. Podiatrist Rebecca Rushton sees private, DVA, Support at Home and CHSP clients. No referral needed. Call (08) 9072 1514.

Foot care for older people in Esperance

Healthy, comfortable feet are a big part of staying active, independent and steady on your feet as you get older. Yet foot care often becomes harder just when it matters most: nails get thicker, skin gets drier, and bending down to reach your feet isn't as easy as it used to be.

Regular podiatry care keeps your feet comfortable, picks up problems early, and helps you keep doing the things you enjoy.

How feet change with age

  • Nails thicken and can become hard, curved or discoloured, making them difficult to cut. Read more about thick toenails.

  • Skin becomes thinner and drier, so it cracks and tears more easily, and heals more slowly. Read more about cracked heels.

  • The fat pads thin out, especially under the heel and the ball of the foot, so there's less natural cushioning. Read more about ball of foot pain.

  • Corns and callus build up where shoes rub or bones press. Read more about corns and calluses.

  • Circulation and feeling can reduce, particularly with diabetes, so injuries may go unnoticed and heal slowly. Read more about diabetes foot checks.

  • Toe shape can change, with bunions and clawed toes making shoes harder to fit comfortably. Read more about bunions.

What a routine visit includes

A routine foot care appointment usually includes:

  • Nail care: trimming nails safely, and thinning thick nails with a nail drill so they're comfortable in shoes

  • Skin care: gently removing painful corns and callus, and treating dry or cracked skin

  • A foot check: looking for early signs of problems with skin, circulation, sensation or foot shape

  • Footwear advice: making sure your shoes are comfortable, safe to walk in, and aren’t contributing to any foot problems, like painful toenails or corns

  • A plan: how often to come back, and what you or your family can do at home in between

Most people come every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly their nails grow and what their feet need.

Feet and falls

Foot pain, poor footwear, reduced feeling, and muscle weakness in the feet all increase the risk of falling. Looking after your feet is one of the simplest ways to help prevent falls:

  • Keep feet comfortable. Painful nails, corns or bunions change the way you walk.

  • Wear safe shoes. Choose shoes that fasten firmly with laces, Velcro or a buckle. Avoid loose slippers, scuffs and thongs, especially at night.

  • Keep moving. Regular walking and simple ankle and calf exercises help maintain strength and balance.

  • Tell us about any falls or near misses, so we can check whether your feet, muscles or shoes are part of the problem.

If you can't see or reach your feet

If bending down has become difficult because of your back, hips, knees, lungs, or balance, or if your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, you're not alone. Regular podiatry visits take care of your nails and skin, so you don't have to struggle or risk injuring yourself. Family members and carers are welcome to come along to appointments, and Rebecca can show them how to help between visits.

For those who can still reach and see their feet, good tools make a real difference. We stock quality nail clippers and Black's files for safe nail care at home.

Fees and funding

We see private patients, and clients funded by several aged care programs, including:

  • Support at Home: through Esperance Home Care or Trilogy Care, podiatry is billed to your package, so there's nothing to pay on the day.

  • Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP): if you receive CHSP services through Esperance Home Care and are approved for podiatry, they pay 50% of your podiatry invoice and you pay the other 50%.

  • DVA: fully funded for Gold Card holders, and White Card holders whose card covers a foot condition, with a GP referral.

  • Medicare: a rebate is available with a GP chronic condition management plan.

Appointments are in our clinic. Home visits are only available for Support at Home clients who can't leave their home, by arrangement with Esperance Home Care. Read about our fees and funding. We do not provide hospital or nursing home visits.

Book an appointment

To book for yourself or someone you care for, call Esperance Podiatry. No referral is needed. Please bring the shoes worn most often and a list of current medications.

Call (08) 9072 1514 or visit us at Suite B, 116 Dempster Street, Esperance.

Book an Appointment