Frequently Asked Questions
Why should seniors receive routine foot care?
There are many reasons why seniors may need a foot care nurse. As we age, issues such as declining vision, lack of dexterity and reduced flexibility can limit our ability to care for our own feet. Aging factors, such as thinning skin, medication use and disease processes place seniors at an increased risk for foot infections. Fit feet become even more important as we age.
When meeting with patients, a professional assessment of their current foot health is completed. We will discuss specific concerns of the patient - nail trimming, callus treatment and any foot care goals the patient may have. I provide services for these conditions with a gentle approach using only sterile or one time use tools. My services are provided in a comfortable environment to preserve the patient’s health and contribute to their peace of mind.
What should I expect at my first visit?
​We will review a brief medical history, obtain informed consent and discuss your foot care concerns and goals. Followed by a 30-minute session that includes cutting, filing, thinning of the toenails. We will reduce any corn and calluses you may have. We will provide a foot and skin assessment. At the conclusion of your visit, we will make any recommendations we see necessary.
I have neglected my feet for years & am ashamed how they look?
​There is nothing to be ashamed of. This is what we are here for. We are here to help get you back to feeling good and walking without discomfort.
Do you provide care to diabetic patients?
Yes, we do, all of the time. Individuals with a history of diabetes should most definitely seek a qualified foot care provider for regular visits to prevent the risk of infections.
Do you sterilize tools?
All supplies used are disposable one-time use or sterilized. Our clippers and reusable tools are cleaned with a sterilizing solution between clients and placed in an autoclave for deep sterilizing at the end of the day.
Do you accept insurance or Medicare?
​No, we do not. Our self-pay policy allows us to keep costs down for everyone. Some insurances pay for routine foot care services. We are generally less expensive than most deductibles plus we give you a 30 minute, attentive service. If you would like to compare our costs with a podiatry visit, please contact your local podiatrist and insurance provider.
How are you different than a podiatrist?
​Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot & ankle. Some podiatrists will perform routine foot care services such as nail trimming. This may be billed through insurance or it may be billed to you directly. Please discuss this with your local podiatrist. We are here as an option for your foot care services. We will make recommendations for further medical attention if we encounter anything that is beyond our scope of practice.
Do you polish nails?
No, we do not. As a medical-based company, our focus is on the health & wellness of the feet. Nail polish can conceal and harbor bacteria.
I have polish on my toenails, will you remove this?
Yes, we will remove all non-gel polish. We want to see your nail plate to examine the health of the nail.
I have gel polish on, can you provide a service to me?
We ask that before coming to us for any service, please visit a salon for the removal of gel polish. We may be able to cut your nails but we will not be able to file your nails with our E-file as the gel polish ruins the burrs we use. In addition, it takes too long for the removal of gel in our clinic settings for us to perform this service.
Do I need to soak my feet before my service?
No, you do not.
Do you have an office?
We do not. All services are provided at various senior centers, senior living facilities, pharmacies and long term care facilities
Can you work on fungal and thick nails?
​Yes, we can thin these down. This often gives patients immediate relief.
Do you carry liability insurance?
Yes, we are a licensed business, carrying appropriate liability insurance.
For Facilities
Why should we offer foot care clinics for our residents at our facility?
These routine services have been shown to improve the health and independence of residents in independent living and assisted living centers.
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Do you carry liability insurance?
Yes, we operate as a licensed business with appropriate professional liability insurance.
If we have a foot clinic on site at our facility how is that managed?
We work with the activities directors, nursing directors and/or facility directors of the facilities to set up the clinics. Once a clinic is set up, we will manage all aspects of the clinic.
What do you need from a facility to hold a clinic on site?
We require a small space is all. We bring everything to the facility to perform clinics on site.
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How much does your standard service cost?
Please contact me for current pricing and availability in your area.
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Do you accept insurance or Medicare?
No, we do not. Our self-pay policy allows us to keep cost down for everyone. Most clients in this age range have Medicare and they do not cover routine foot care services (unless a patient is diabetic).
Do you sterilize tools?
All supplies used are disposable one time use or sterilized. Tools are chemically sterilized between treatments and at the end of each day. They are then repackaged for the next day’s clinic.
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Do you go to memory care units?
Yes we do. Depending on the patient's acuity we may ask that a family or staff member be present - especially for the first service. This is so the family can assist with the patient’s history and give consent for the service on behalf of the patient. We understand anything new to a memory care patient can be overwhelming and we want to make this a pleasant service for the patient.
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I am a director, how can I bring nursing foot care services to our facility?
Give us a call to discuss bringing foot care clinic to your facility.
Do I need approval from our corporate level decision makers to provide this service?
That depends on your corporate policies and structure. We are happy to execute formal agreements with private corporations to provide services within their senior living communities. We feel very comfortable with developing written agreements as a professional courtesy and to help hold each party accountable for the general welfare of our patients. As healthcare moves towards accepting 3rd party providers, senior facility members and residences are requesting services like ours.
We would like to offer foot clinics to our seniors. Now what?
To establish a foot care clinic, we will want to visit with you and your facility to best determine your expectations as well as introduce you to our offerings. We will discuss the logistics of holding a foot care clinic in your facility. Our standard clinic process takes the burden off of you.