FOOT-CARE AWARENESS - A SURVEY OF PERSONS AGED 65 YEARS AND OLDER

The authors conducted a mail survey that examined foot problems, rates of utilization of foot-health services, and the perception of foot pr oblems as medical conditions in a sample of people aged 65 years and o lder who lived independently. Although 71% of the 128 respondents repo rted suffering from foot problems, only 39% had consulted medical pers onnel about their feet, and only 26% identified their foot pathologies as medical conditions. More female than male respondents experienced foot problems and had visited medical personnel about their feet. Incr eased education of older individuals about their foot-care requirement s, as well as increased access to pediatric medical services, is recom mended.