Next Step Foot Care
Servicing the Greater Toronto Area
including Brampton , Mississauga and Etobicoke
About Me
What I'm up to now
Hi, I'm Tracy, owner of Next Step Footcare, It's great to meet you! Let me tell you a little about my story:
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After caring for my elderly grandmother for a number of years I experienced first-hand the challenges of being a caregiver. This experience inspired me to return to school and graduate nursing as a second career. Since that day, I have spent most of my career working in the field of community health care with an emphasis on diabetes, wound care and compression, and lower limb management.
While doing community health care I noticed that many seniors needed help with their feet but were unable to access proper care so I chose to further my education and I have now been in independent practice as an Advanced Footcare Nurse since 2015. I am passionate about helping seniors and their caregivers maintain health, safe mobility, and manage chronic diseases through education and health promotion strategies.
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I also enjoy teaching and in 2011 I completed a Clinical Nursing Fellowship focused on mentorship practices for new graduate nurses and have been a lab instructor at Seneca College.
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For 4 years prior to Covid-19 I ran a monthly footcare outreach to the homeless in downtown Toronto. This outreach is currently on hold.
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As life continues to change, so does the way that I am supporting my community. I am now teaching (online) at Holistacare as part of a comprehensive course on Wound Prevention and Education for Personal Support Workers.
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Services
Initial Assessment
Condition of skin and nails
Circulation
Sensation
Footwear
Review of glycemic (blood sugar) control for diabetics as this has a significant effect on foot health.
Personalized teaching / recommendations
Ongoing Care
Nail trimming / filing
Treatment of corns and callouses
Treatment of fungal nails
Ongoing care is recommended every 6-8 weeks
Why Do I Need Footcare?
Many older people are unable to cut their own toenails because they:
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Can no longer reach their toenails;
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Are unable to handle nail clippers due to arthritis;
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Have conditions that make them feel dizzy if they bend;
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Have visual impairment;
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Have toenails that have become too thick to cut
When older people can no longer manage their own foot care, an assessment my be required to identify what help they need with this activity of daily living.
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Common foot problems in older people
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Toenail disorders including hardened or ingrown nails
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Toe deformities such as overlapping toes
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Corns and calluses
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Bunions
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Fungal infections
Diabetic Footcare
People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage, also called neuropathy. This can cause tingling, pain (burning or stinging), or weakness in the foot. It can also cause loss of feeling in the foot, so you can injure it and not know it. Poor blood flow or changes in the shape of your feet or toes may also cause problems. Take good care of your feet and see your doctor right away if you see any signs of foot problems.
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Take care of your feet.
When you have diabetes, caring for your feet is very important in avoiding serious foot complications. Take care for your feet by doing the following:
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Wash your feet thoroughly everyday
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Dry them thoroughly, and don’t forget to dry between your toes
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Moisturize your feet, but avoid moisturizing between your toes
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Keep your toenails trim, and use an emery board to file down sharp edges
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Check your feet for sores, cuts, blisters, corns, or redness daily. Let your doctor know if you find any of these.
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Wear moisture wicking socks
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Before putting your shoes on, check for sharp objects (i.e. small rocks)
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Wear shoes that fit well and don’t rub your feet
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For more information click "Read More" below!
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