How can I get my 91-year-old mother to go to the podiatrist to get her toenails cut?

My husband is 86 and has Alzheimers. He also had "dragon toes" and advanced fungus under his nails - the podiatrist (which is paid by medicare) would cut the nails and filed them with an electric file every 8 weeks - sometimes knicking the skin - he would just put on a bandaid and be finished. My husband was considered too old for the ingternal fungal medications because of possible liver damage. So, I took him to a spa! First call ahead and ask if they do elderly pedicures, then find a place where you can sit side-by-side with your Mother-in-law and make a day of it! enjoy it, relax, show her that you both are getting the same treatment. and be sure to have her select the color polish she wants. the pedicure also lasts a month, sometimes 2 and they do a much more thorogh job than the clinical podiatrist. They also treat toes, soles, heels and calves with creams and massage as part of the pedicure. And it is less than a podiatrist charges. Well worth it for both of you!

I took my Mom to get a pedicure and they gave her toenail fungus on one foot. Unless you hear RAVE reviews about a nail place, don't even think about going there to get a manicure/pedicure. It only causes MORE problems after they get the fungus under the nails. Soaking in warm water EVERYDAY and using a cap full of bleach in the water will eventually kill the fungus. I found this out after I had to find a solution to getting her toenails back to their normal thickness, instead of the talons that had taken their place. During the process of getting rid of the fungus, I bought a dremel, which works GREAT in sanding down the thick nails. Just use gloves, and a face mask so you don't inhale the dust, AND, if they have stinky feet, dab a little of your own cologne on the inside of the mask before doing it.

My mom has nasty nails as well, I just do them myself. Before you know it, it is done. Rubbing alchohol and files are a must as well after cutting with clippers. They have some super duty clippers as well if you need them. Also if you have a nail shop that you go to yourself you know they are already clean then by all means go, but yeah check first if they will take the elderly.

What a great idea for Entreprenureship here....a mobile elderly nail specialist, or even elderly hair. I would think there is a great demand for both!!!!!

The local senior center here has a "toe nail clinic" once a month. Call your local Area Agency on Aging and see if they know of any senior centers or sites that have "toe nail clinics" -- if so, you could make a lunch out of it as well and introduce your mother, if she doesn't go already, to the wonderful folks at your local senior center.

It's great if you can do this yourself (sometimes I was successful with Mom, other times NOT so much).

I like the idea of a 'spa treatment' where she will feel pampered. Don't announce your intentions, just make the appointment, and get her there! Make sure you leave enough time to do so.

Sounds like a good idea to destress everything you can. Battling with an elder is not good for either party. Just bring a picture book or magazine she would like to look at and see if you can get this done without the drama.

Good luck!

Hi there, depends on how bad your mom is with it I guess. I love the Spa idea but my Mom wont let me touch her Fingernails, never mind her toes She screams and pulls away, its a nightmare. Her daycare has a foot dr in every other month and they do it, 2 people hold my Mom as she SCREAMS but it has to be done, we tried everything and thats the end result . Within 10 minutes after she forgot the entire event, not that that matters at the time thou. She used to let us do her nails, paint them and everything but since her strokes with the alz, forget it, its a no go. Good luck!!

I found a woman that does manicures and pedicures from her home. I bring mom there and go shopping or just go read a book at the park. Mom gets nail polish too! she really loves it. I take her 2 times a month, sometimes she only gets a manicure. Its not covered by insurance of course but its affordable. I also can't wash her hair too good either. So one time a week I take her to the beauty salon. They know she needs to have someone with her when she walks, they really cater to her and I give them a gift basket at holiday time. This is working for now while Mom is in Moderate dementia. Good Luck! and Kudo's for Caring!!!

My mother is 80. I took her couple of times to get her nails cut. But sometimes we don't have the extra money to go to the doctor so I do it myself. And believe me I am not a fan at looking at people's toes, especially long ones. But what I do that makes it easy is soak the feet for 30min and they are soft and east to cut...I also have to be careful because she is diabetic. But I find that once I soak them it's soo easy to cut the nails....
andrea

I soaked my mother inlaw's feet in warm water with epsom salt for about 20 minutes, and washed her feet gently with a wash cloth. Blotted them dry and gently toe by toe removed build up from beneath each nail, trimmed with clippers. She had one big toe nail that looked like it was going to fall off, but as I cleared all the build up of gunk I was now able to cut the nail way back. After I finished all nails of both feet I massaged neosporean cream on toes and feet. Her feet look amazing! And she feels so good now. I will now continue watching her foot health and mark my calendar.

I would be careful here. Does she have diabetes? Many diabetics develop nail and other fungal issues. In which case use only a podiatrist!! I also agree with a poster...older folks have suppressed immune systems and I even know a friend that got MRSA from a salon!!! She was 27 and almost lost a foot! Get the podiatrist to the home. PS I'm an RN and deal with this a lot!