August 10, 2013
One reputable,
compassionate physician I worked for, insisted the elderly patients sat on the
chair in the exam room, took off their shoes and socks without assistance. He
assured me it is very telling, the ability to care for their feet and toes on
their own. If a senior struggled with their foot hygiene, they would certainly
develop ingrown toenails, grow fungus like a science experiment gone awry, and
ignore bunions and other attractive, problematic issues. Many of these
undetected or disregard concerns lead to off-balance movement and potential
falls. Of course, hip, leg, arm breaks or perhaps something less alarming like
a nose fracture.
As I observe the crowds at
the Mille Lacs County Fair in Princeton this
weekend, I keep track of their feet. Check out the stance, footwear, healthy or
off-kilter swollen ankles and cleanliness factor. Nearly all were sock-starved
and some ignored glaring stares due to embarrassing black socks stuffed into
almost white tennis shoes. You know who you are.
For a County Fair located
in the sticks, surprisingly not one pair of cowboy/cowgirl boots to be found.
Sandals of all sorts with straps that hug the lower ankle or flip flop sans
support, levelheaded tennis, sturdy hiking boots, throw-away jellies,
non-supporting flats, and category-less footwear. Two little creatures had no
shoes since they were being pushed around in a stroller. Lucky them. Hopefully their future does not include
misshaping bunions.
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