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Health

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Caring for Your Feet

Foot problems can make it harder to stay physically active and increase your risk of tripping, slipping and falling. Such painful conditions include bunions, corns, calluses and warts.

To keep your feet healthy and pain-free, you should:

Keep them clean and dry, especially between your toes.

Trim your toenails regularly.

Never try to treat serious foot problems at home – make an appointment with your doctor.

Footwear

Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can reduce your risk of falling.

Here are some tips on choosing the most appropriate footwear:

Wear shoes with a firm sole that doesn’t slip.

Wear walking shoes

Don’t wear shoes with heels taller than 1 inch.

Don’t wear slippers or flip-flops, even at home.

Don’t walk in socks or stockings, even at home.

Limit your time walking barefoot, even at home.

Additional Resources

Care for Your Feet to Prevent a Fall tip sheet (PDF)

MedlinePlus Foot Health page

More Information

Preventing Falls in Older Adults

Physical Activity

Talk to Your Doctor

Manage Your Medicine

Manage Chronic Conditions

Vision and Hearing in Older Adults

Reduce Fear of Falling

In Case of a Fall