As we get older, it becomes more and more difficult to do our own pedicures. I’ve put together some guidelines especially for seniors. I’m also including some information to help you allocate time for the job.
The first thing you’ll want to do is to collect all the tools you’ll need for your pedicure. You don’t want to have to stop part way into the process to search for something essential. If you’re a senior, here’s what you should gather up.
· 3.5 or 4.0 magnifier reading glasses
· Nail clipper for arthritic hands
· Nail file or emery board
· Cotton balls
· Peroxide or antibiotic salve
· Extra-wide foot rasp or number 60 or 80-grit sand paper
· Miracle skin softener lotion
Once you have all of these items collected, you’re ready to attack your feet.
The Basic Procedure
Getting started on your pedicure is one of the most difficult parts of the process for a senior. You’ll probably want to sit down for this. Stretching to reach your feet may well be the most time-consuming step in the job. Once you can reach them, take inventory of your toes to be sure you can locate all ten.
If you happen to be one of the folks who have a hammer toe, be sure to include that odd little sucker in your count. I dated someone with a hammer toe in college, and it was strange to look at. His was the pinky toe and it rested on top of the piggy who didn’t have any roast beef. Stranger still, he wound up marrying a woman who also had a hammer toe. Perhaps even stranger, I know this because I was one of her bridesmaids. You’ll probably need to allow extra time to trim and file a hammer toenail.
Once you’re sure that you’ve located ten toes, you can begin clipping your nails. The special clippers for arthritic hands are a blessing and worth the investment. Focus on the center of each toenail. Don’t clip too close to the sides or you could wind up with ingrown nails down the line. Use the nail file or emery board to finish off the sides of the nail and smooth any rough edges. I usually start with my big toe and work my way down to the pinky toe. You can do the reverse if you prefer. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you proceed in sequence.
Once you’ve finished the basics, it’s time to get back up. Don’t forget that you have two feet to trim, so check them both before you consider the job done! If you’re reasonably fit, it should take less time to get up than it did to stretch to reach your toes. Now it’s time for your post-pedicure clean up and polishing.
How Long Each Step Will Take
· Stretching to reach your toes 40%
· Taking inventory of your toes 10%
· Clipping your nails 20%
· Filing the rough edges that remain 14%
· Getting back up when you’re done 16%
Post-Pedicure Clean up and Polishing
If you have any bleeding from your efforts, treat the toe with the peroxide on a cotton ball or dab some antibiotic salve on it. When you’ve completed your basic pedicure and any post-pedicure treatment, you should really buff your heels with the foot rasp or sand paper that you have in your tools. Then cream your feet.
Your feet should now look so beautiful that you’ll want to go out and buy some new sandals. But please don’t take pictures of your feet to post on Facebook or Instagram, especially if you’re planning to do before-and-after shots. Some of you might want to polish your toenails. I never do that. My hands are no longer agile enough for that. I’m also clueless as to what colors are trendy. I’m just happy to have the job in my rearview. If you want to polish yours go for it! You’ve earned it.
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