My 98-year-old mother has very thick toenails from fungus. The podiatrist never soaks them before trying to trim them and causes her a LOT of pain. I would consider getting her a pedicure if there is someone who knows how to deal with delicate elderly feet. Also was considering purchasing a Dremel tool and doing it myself.
I originally trimmed her nails, but despite my efforts, I would always seem to draw blood on at least one toe during the trimming process! It was wonderful when we started making quarterly visits to a podiatrist who took over the trimming duties. He suggested I put Vicks Vaporub on her toenails to keep them healthy. I thought "what?" But it does work, and I use it on my toenails. As a result of both our efforts, mom's feet and toenails were in great shape for the rest of her life.
I had taken my mom in to an office visit to do it, but that dr was kind of rough. Talking to the visiting nurse, I found out about home visits and it was every 3 months like clockwork. This podiatrist did a 100% better job on the very first visit than any time at previously used dr. And, by doing it on time every three months, her feet never looked so good. Huge difference in the nails.
I would hesitate to go to a public nail shop. For me, they are rather rough. If you chose that route, you would definitely have to find someone who knows a pedicurist personally and is questioned about doing feet of elderly. And pay very close attention to sterilzation methods of the tools. For me, I'd try another podiatrist first and have a chat with staff before you bring her in regarding a good soak before appt and her history of pain with the process.
(One note of caution--if you're mom is a diabetic, then doctors recommend against soaking the feet in any way, for reasons related to circulation and neuropathy. But if she is not a diabetic, that shouldn't be a problem.)
Usually if there is a senior center in a town they will offer nail clinics where a podiatrist comes and does the toenails. Call your local senior center and ask.
I know one who makes housecalls. Many of them will if a person is a shut-in and can't get to an appointment.
Look online and talk to your closest senior center because they will help you.
A podologist provides routine care at a more affordable cost. Here is the difference.... A podiatrist is a medical professional legally authorized to treat most foot pain and discomfort. The podologist, on the other hand, helps alleviate discomfort by providing foot care services.
We were very blessed when our podiatrist recommended one. She has very high standards of care in how she handles our feet and the sterilization process of her instruments. If she sees something beyond her certification she refers clients to a podiatrist. Many podiatrists refer their patients to her. Here is a link to her website that shows some of the issues she has provided her TLC.... https://www.facebook.com/MrsGoodFoot
She has advanced training and specializes in geriatric foot care. My husband has his toe nails trimmed regularly along with occasional finger nail care. She regularly cares for my calluses and corns and occasional nail care.
Look for a podologist who has advanced training and is a Certified Master Pedicurist. You can search for one in your area by using the link below...
https://northamericanschoolofpodology.com/cmp-finder/
I found it best to click on the world map until it showed the ones in my state. When I entered my city and state it said there were none, but then it showed up when I zeroed in on the map.
You should never have an elderly person's feet cared for at a regular spa or mani/pedi salon unless you verify their credentials. When my husband was in cardiac rehab they had a specific session on the importance of foot care. The same emphasis was put on oral care because lack of good feet and teeth care can allow bacteria into the bloodstream and affect the heart.
My mom is not on blood thinners, but she is diabetic, and needs good foot care. She has been going to my cousin, who has been a nail technician for most of MY life, for years. She saw her before she was diagnosed with diabetes and my cousin went to an appointment with mom and talked to her doctor about the best way to continue handling taking care of her feet going forward. Mom's diabetes is under control without medication of any kind right now - she was on meds at one point (not insulin) but diet and exercise is all she needs right now- so maybe her feet are not nearly at risk as much as other diabetics.
My cousin sterilizes her entire station before mom comes to ensure that it is ready for her. She is super careful when handling mom's feet. She actually books out the length of two appointments so that she can take her time and not try to rush through it. She soaks for a long time, and spends a lot of time filing rather than clipping when she can to avoid possibly cutting her. She is very thorough and it has worked for mom for years.
But I imagine that is not the norm. It is a combination of the fact that she is our cousin and that mom has been going to her for years that she made the effort to be sure she could take care of her properly. I can't imagine it would be easy to find that as a new customer, especially in a lot of these popup places.
One thought if that is the direction - the podiatrist MIGHT be able to recommend someone. Maybe there is someone they recommend for homebound people that could come do it at home? That has been trained to do it safely? I don't know.
My FIL on the other hand - is on blood thinners AND is diabetic - insulin dependent and medication dependent. And has the most god-awful toe nails I have ever seen. There is no way we would ever allow anyone but the podiatrist to touch his feet. Anyone else would put him at risk. The smallest cut to his foot could potentially cause him to lose the foot. If he even stubs his toe we have to go to the doctor.
Additionally - if she has any other illnesses I think the podiatrist is doubly important. Especially something like diabetes, where foot care is critical and an injury to the foot, especially if diabetic neuropathy is involved, could cause way more than just a run of the mill infection - it could lead to something much more dire.
I think you may be having a much larger issue here if you feel like her podiatrist is not listening to her needs and it may be time to find one that specializes in geriatric foot care.
What I do is soak mother's feet the night before we go to the Podiatrist. This is one thing I will not do--cut toenails, since Mom is on blood thinner. Her shoes fit better but remember don't have them cut too short, it will cause your mother pain. Tell them what you want.
Our Podiatrist is wonderful. The elderly love him, his own mother is unwell and mother goes every 9-10 weeks whatever her medical coverage will cover. He is personable and has a way with the elderly.
We have the routine down pat. I would stay away from a Pedicure. Too much can go wrong and if infection sets in you are replacing one problem with another.
Keep it simple or perhaps, shop around for a Podiatrist that meets your needs. I find out a lot of valuable information, believe it or not, in the hairdressers.
I hope I was of some help to you.
Speak up with the podiatrist. That's where the work needs to be done.
I take care of my DH's feet. I make sure he's had a good bath soak and then I check his feet carefully for any hotpsots or sores and then cut these 'talons' back and file them with clean, new files.
He's not unable to do this for himself, but he's 6'4" and has a hard time getting those feet up into the stratosphere! It's not a burden for me at all b/c a snaggly toenail can open up a cut on MY leg very easily, as he kicks around in bed a lot.
I would treat mom to a good pedicure--I had one a couple days ago and they did use a Dremel (the actual brand name!) on my toenails and fingernails. A GOOD pedicurist will do a good job and mom shouldn't have much pain. Sometimes with ingrowing nails, there is some discomfort, but not actual 'oh ouch' pain.
The secret is to not let them get out of control. A pedicure every month--will keep the nail sunder control.
Any medication that is used orally or topically really has to be precribed by a Dr. for some reasons, anti-fungals are hard on the liver, so she should have a topical solution.
At 98, the best you can hope for is controlling the length of the nails.