By Enid Rosenblatt
Like everything else, when you age, your feet change.
Keeping the feet healthy can contribute significantly to a senior's overall well-being, says Dr. Sarita Battish, a podiatrist with offices in Center City and at Nazareth Hospital.
"Your feet change over time," she said. "These changes include atrophy, where the fat pad at the bottom of the foot starts to melt away and the bones become more prominent; thinning of the skin; and poorer circulation.
"What can you do to insure foot health as you age?
Choosing the right shoes is critical, Battish said,
 "Have your feet measured each time you buy new shoes," she advised. "Just because you wore size 8 when you were 16, doesn't mean that you wear it now."
Battish suggests having feet measured at the end of the day, when swelling is at the maximum. Buying "good shoes" does not necessarily mean the most expensive ones. Shoes should be sturdy and have padding. Avoid shoes with pointed toes or very high heels.
Shoes should fit from day one. Don't expect that they will "break in," and if the shoes no longer fit, discard them.
Custom-made shoes are available for people with diabetes and other medical conditions, according to Rick Rosenblum, owner of Advance Medical Equipment, in Philadelphia. "We make a mold of the foot so the shoe fits exactly, helping to prevent development of diabetic ulcers," Rosenblum said.
Custom-made shoes are also available for people who have had polio or wear braces and those with arthritis or bunions or calluses, but Medicare reimbursement is available only for diabetics. Custom-made shoe suppliers, like Rosenblum, typically make house calls to make the mold at no extra cost.
Custom-made shoes "come in many styles and colors," he said. "Today, shoes for people with foot problems are stylish and attractive."
In general, cotton socks are best in both winter and summer, but if your feet are healthy, other types are fine.
What else should you do?
Keep the area between your toes dry. Using alcohol pads can be helpful.
Examine your feet, looking for bumps and swelling not usually there, advises Dr. Battish. If you see anything unusual or notice a corn or callus, it may be time for a visit to your podiatrist.
Persons with diabetes are prone to foot problems, such as loss of feeling in the feet, changes in the foot's shape and foot ulcers or sores that do not heal. To help prevent diabetic complications, the National Institute of Health urges you keep in touch with your doctor; check your feet daily; wash them regularly (in warm, not hot water); keep skin soft and smooth; always wear shoes and socks, even indoors; protect the feet from hot and cold; keep the blood flowing to the feet, and be more active.
Some podiatrists, including Dr. Battish, make house calls for people unable to come to their offices. To be reimbursed by Medicare for the visit, you must be certified by a physician.
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