By GAIL NEUMANN
FOR SALT SPRING SENIORS
Salt Spring Seniors Centre has stepped up to add a new program for seniors who need foot care but do not have access to a specialty nurse.
Starting this month, seniors will be able to book an appointment for medical foot care at the centre. Transportation for appointments may be requested through the medical rides program for those unable to get there on their own.
Rose Bunyan has agreed to spearhead the program. She is a specialty nurse trained in medical foot care. Rose came to the island as a young child and married into a local family. She is now raising her own family here.
Rose continues to work at Lady Minto Extended Care Unit, and for several years has provided hands-on-education for new care aides, first through Vancouver Island University and now Discovery College. She started her career as a care aide, then wanting more challenge, studied to become a nurse. Later, when she realized the need in our community, Rose expanded her practice to become a specialty foot care nurse. The Salt Spring Seniors Services Society is delighted to welcome Rose and to provide the place for the clinic, and rides if necessary, to make this service available for seniors who do not yet have a foot care nurse.
Rose explained why seniors might require a specialty nurse as opposed to an esthetician to treat their feet. Estheticians, she says, provide a great service for many people. They provide basic nail care and it can be very pleasurable. Estheticians can also check your feet for problems and make recommendations.
But a medical pedicure is more appropriate for people with pain or discomfort in their feet. If their nails are thick or growing sideways, or if they have troublesome corns or calluses, it’s time for a medi-pedi. Before people can no longer get their shoes on, they should consult a foot specialty nurse.
Clients can be assured of sterilized tools and appropriate medical interventions that take into consideration general health issues, including diabetes, use of blood thinners and skin problems.
Without proper treatment, those with foot problems can lose mobility and that impacts their general health. Clients who have trouble reaching or seeing their feet, and who attempt self-care may accidently wound their feet and risk infection. Professional foot care is a good investment for general health.
The first visit includes a consultation with a quick assessment of walking, an examination of skin, a quick medical history and list of medications. Any foot problems will be discussed.
A typical visit will begin with a thorough cleaning of the feet. Best practices no longer include a foot soak. The next step is to clip and file the nails. An electric file is used to treat thickened nails. The feet will be examined for corns and calluses and treated as necessary. The visit will end with a foot moisturizer.
A foot care nurse can provide education in foot care and recommend shoes that may help. The practitioner can also refer the client to a physician, home support or community nursing as needed.
The frequency of appointments needed varies depending on nail growth. It could be every six weeks, every two to three months, or even just twice a year.
At a time when current foot care nurses are retiring or restricting their practices to their private offices, it can be difficult to find a practitioner. The Seniors Centre provides clients with an outing, including a ride, if needed, and a social time along with excellent foot care.
An appointment will take approximately an hour. Between clients the practitioner requires 15 minutes to clean the working space and update patient charts. Rose has agreed to provide service to up to four clients in a day. She will begin with one clinic a month.
In British Columbia, foot care is a private pay service, but Island Health is developing a program to help clients who find the cost a burden. At this time Rose charges $80 per regular client visit at the centre. This is a discount from her home visit charges.
For more information or to book an appointment, please call Salt Spring Seniors at 250-537-4604. As soon as you have an appointment, if you require a ride, phone 1-844-940-6617.