If you can't reach your toenails, use specialized tools like long-handled clippers or swiveling-head clippers, ask a friend or family member for help, or see a podiatrist for professional care, especially if you have underlying conditions like diabetes; you can also try filing them or soaking your feet first to soften nails.
Long-handled nail clippers offer extended reach for toes and limbs. They are specifically designed for people with limited mobility. Long-handled toenail scissors can be a game-changer for those who find it hard to bend.
For those with limited mobility, check out the “Clipperpro Omega Select Toenail Clipper,” which has a long plastic grip that's much larger than that of a standard set of nail clippers and a blade head that swivels 180 degrees.
Before you trim your toenails, soften them by soaking your feet in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. Then dry your feet and toenails with a towel. Nail nippers, shown below, work best for trimming thickened toenails. They're lightweight, easy to grip and easy to control.
Not limited to diagnosis and treatment, podiatrists are equipped to provide essential services like toenail cutting and maintenance for seniors near me. They provide a special pedicure for seniors and utilize medical-grade nail trimmers, soak the toenails until soft, sanitize the nail cutter, and then trim the nails.
Medicare doesn't usually cover routine foot care, like cutting or removing corns and calluses, trimming, cutting, or clipping nails, or hygienic or other preventive maintenance, like cleaning and soaking your feet.
As we grow older, toenails often become thicker, harder, and more difficult to trim. Seniors may also face issues such as curved nails, brittle nails, or fungal infections that make routine care more challenging.
best toenail clipper for seniors
It is advised that elderly people trim their toenails regularly. As a general rule this should be carried out every 6-8 weeks, but if you or your loved one's nails tend to grow very fast, they may require more frequent trims.
Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes before trimming your toenails. This helps soften the nails, making them easier to cut and less likely to splinter or break unevenly.
Clipping nails while wet
The trouble is, your nails are likely to bend or tear when you try to cut them, and you run the risk of injury. Unless you have thick toenails, which soften in the bath, you should cut them when they're dry to ensure a clean cut.
Do not try cutting toenails by yourself if you have thick skin or corns; recommend using a podiatrist to help cut toenails. Patients should cut their toenails every 6-8 weeks. If there are wounds at the toenails, patients should receive treatment as soon as possible.
See a podiatrist if:
your nails are too tough to cut or you cannot reach them.
Cutting your nails too short
Treatment for thickened toenails
Treatment involves cutting the nails and reducing the thickness with a special file or burr. Our podiatrists also have special tools that can help remove callus or corns from underneath the nail plate or sulcus which is a common cause of pain.
You may also want to avoid a rounded cut. It's best to cut the nails fairly straight across, ensuring that the corners of the nail do not cut into the skin folds of the toe. And use an emery board to smooth the jagged edges and corners that can snag and potentially tear the nail as it grows.
If the toenail fungus progresses, it can go deeper into the nail, causing discoloration, thick white stuff under the toenail (keratin debris), nail thickening and crumbling, and even transmission to surrounding nails.
On top of that, it's bad luck to cut them at night. This was also the case in Japan, where it was believed that ghosts would follow you if you cut your nails at night. On the other hand, ghosts sometimes lead people to treasure, so I'll leave that one up to you.
If you have difficulty bending to cut your toenails you might want to try putting your foot on a stair or small stool and bend over the knee to cut nails. This should put minimal pressure on your hips and knees. (Not recommended for patients attending Chronic Pain Clinic).
Treatment options for thick nails may include:
With toenail fungus, your nail becomes thick and yellow and may show white spots and streaks. A type of mold called a dermatophyte causes tinea unguium, the most common nail fungus. Tinea unguium most frequently targets your toenails, but it can also affect your fingernails.
Let it sit overnight, then rinse away in the morning for a noticeable difference. 2) Brittle fingernails. Since our nails are made of the same enamel as teeth, toothpaste can do a lot to help them. Simply give your nails a good scrub with some toothpaste for cleaner, shinier, stronger nails.
Treats and praise can go a long way in keeping your dog relaxed and cooperative during nail trims. Use high-value treats that your dog loves and provide plenty of verbal praise and affection. This positive reinforcement will make your dog more likely to tolerate and even enjoy the nail trimming process.