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My Mom is 96.

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Medicare will pay for an in home podiatrist if mom is house bound
They however don't do much

I take mom out to her same podiatrist every 2 months - she cusses the poor woman out screaming she's hurting her and not to cut too short

I found a lukewarm foot soak with a little Apple cider vinegar beforehand softens the nails

Finding an in home manicurist might take a bit more imagination
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Didn't OP say they were in Glen Burnie? That's in Maryland.
I am sure there are plenty of beavers in Utah, midkid! Lol!
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Shane--
Will they come to Utah and cut mom's nails? Bet not :)

Yes, her toes looked as if beavers did the cutting. Best analogy I can think if.

Her Sr Center is more of a "party type" atmosphere, and brother (who is an EMT) checks her feet. There's some things I can't do, Toes gross me out. She cannot lift her feet, so I expect he has her lie down for that.

I am aware that txing the fungus is pointless at her age (87). She hasn't been able to reach her feet in 30 years, so all the "grooming" has been done by others. I don't know. One more thing to worry about (not). Her diabetes is totally under control, she makes a huge thing out of it (supplies all lined up along the kitchen counter, sharps in non-safe containers, etc) but she is on ONE shot per day and pills during the day. It's age related and she's fine. Eats whatever she wants and watches her sugar. (So, bloody patches of tissue ALL OVER THE HOUSE). Sigh.

I'm not doing diddly for her for at least another month, nothing will happen in that time, She's in "lockdown" as she has only one friend who can drive and they only go about 4 blocks to Bingo twice a week. Nowhere else.
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I just did a Google search for home visits/podiatrists in Anne Arundel County and found at least one that stated they will go to someone's home and provide the service. The number to call is a 301 area code & that is consistent with that area.
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Around here nobody sees a podiatrist unless they are having surgery or something really nasty is going on with their toes, usually rpn/lpn's take a course in foot care and perform the service, either in the client's home or at "toe clinics" help in various senior friendly places.
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Midkid, I'm so sorry to laugh but Beavers chewing at her feet?................LOL.

FF, yes a happy meal indeed! LOL

I also remember the first time I saw my Mom's feet in a while. She had just come home from rehab and it was the Home Healthcare's first day there too so I shot over to my Mom's to make sure she let them in. I was chatting away to the Health aide, glanced down at my Mom's feet and I guess the Health aide noticed and we both looked at each other. My Mom must have seen the look of horror on both our faces cause she immediately put her slippers back on. So sad...............but sort of funny at the same time.

I apologize if my warped sense of humor offends but if I couldn't laugh about some things I'd probably cry. :)
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Millie
I was able to get a Podiatrist to come to my moms home just one time. I called around until I found the only one who would consider it.
He billed Medicare for the visit without a problem. She lived in a remote area and I was never able to get him back her way. It was a major deal to get her out of the house the last few years.
My mom had home health. The CNAs were not allowed to trim her nails because she was on blood thinners. The RN and the LVN would attempt it but her nails were extremely thick and if they tended them weekly the podiatrist trim was extended for quiet awhile. If they forgot a few weeks or changed staff that didn't know to do it they would get out of control again.
I always tried to have them trimmed when she was in the hospital.
On her 95th bd her sister 92 at the time and her husband 94 came from 4 hours away to attend her party. 94 yr old brought his drammel device and they had toenails trimmed all around. So you never know where you'll find help. I think it was her favorite gift.
Midkid
To treat the fungus is a harsh procedure. Usually it's left alone on seniors your moms age. My mom had one toenail with it and my aunt one toenail also. There are remedies sold outside of prescription meds but I was told by a podiatrist these don't work. Since your mom is diabetic her feet should be checked daily. You should express your concern to the Senior Center where she is going. They obviously don't realize how serious a condition diabetes is and to risk her feet becoming infected or getting a wound could end her mobility if not her life.
My aunt (90) was told by her podiatrist to change and wash her shoes often. She wears sneakers. Doesn't have diabetes. Dr told her to spray her shoes with Lysol. I walked in once and saw her spraying her nails instead of the shoes. Smile
With diabetes Medicare will also pay for proper fitting shoes to help protect your moms feet. Any person with diabetes needs to be under the regular care of a doctor who checks their feet on each visit and caretakers should check them daily if the person isn't able to check their own feet. In the condition you describe she needs immediate attention, not because they are unsightly but because they are dangerous. Hope you can get her in to see a podiatrist who treats elder diabetics soon.
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Gershun, McDonald's needs a Happy Meal for Adults :) Instead of milk, a small container of wine.
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My mother's Sr Center has a "foot care day" where (I thought!!) a podiatrist was coming in to cut toenails and do diabetic foot checkups (whilst drumming up a little side business)..so I felt that was one thing with mother I could "ignore".
Darn it!
Whomever has been cutting her nails should be shot! She wore open toe sandals to a party and I saw her toenails and it looked as if beavers had been chewing at her feet!
Her nails were yellow, thick and looked as if they had been ripped off in a very random way. Some were cut super short and had obviously bled, the big toes were left too long and she catches her toes on the carpet. Again, snaggly and horrible looking. It was too late that day to do anything. She NEEDS to see a real podiatrist, she is diabetic and fragile. I don't even attempt to cut them. She has some obvious fungus problems and thickened growths on many of her toes.

She cannot see to her feet, and she always wears socks, so I haven't seen her feet in years. I have to get her in to REAL dr and get these fixed.

Also, no way in the world am I strong enough to cut those 3/4" thick big toenails.

Don't suggest a "spa day" since mother cannot lift her legs to get into one of those soaker tubs and that would be courting disaster. She just needs them cleaned and cut straight and the fungus dealt with.
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Drive through nail cutting.............now there's a thought. Would they trim nose hairs and the whiskers on the chin thing too you think? Maybe they could add that to the Macdonald's drive through menu. "I'd like a big mac, large fries and my big toenail trimmed. LOL
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I agree Millie, your Mom would need to see a Podiatrist for her toe nails because as one ages those nails become quite difficult to cut. I would do an internet search for Podiatrist in Anne Arundel County [I assume you live in Maryland] who make house calls.
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I'd prefer in home, I am pretty much looking for a podiatrist in the Glen Burnie area to do this even if it costs a little more.
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Call your favorite nail salon and ask if someone would step outside to your car and trim her nails. If they agree, put her in the car on the front seat passenger side. Drive to the nail salon after calling them first, then drive up and call them from your car. Have cash ready. Swing her around to face the nail trimmer. It will only take a few minutes. Pay, say thank you, and drive home. This is less expensive than having a care-giver come to you home for just that.
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