Foot and Nail Care

Will Holmes à Court
Will Holmes à Court
Last updated 
Maintaining healthy feet and nails by promoting cleanliness and preventing infections for overall comfort and well-being 
 
Objective
To adopt a risk-based approach to managing the health and growth of nails on hands and feet to promote client well-being and prevent complications. 

Scope
This applies to all team members who provide client care, including support workers and clinicians.

Responsibilities
Support Workers
Support workers are critical in daily nail and foot care, including observation and promoting good hygiene. Key responsibilities are:

Foot Care:
  • Ensure that shoes fit correctly and promote sensible, supportive footwear.
  • Encourage clients to change socks daily.
  • Keep feet clean and dry by washing and drying them daily with warm water and mild soap, including the area between the toes.
  • Rub moisturizer into the skin around the nails and other areas to prevent dryness and cracking.
Observation and Reporting:
  • Observe nails for changes in colour, swelling, texture, or signs of bleeding.
  • Check for foot problems such as cuts, bruises, blisters, swelling, or pus.
  • Report any abnormalities to CCM for further evaluation.
Client / Clinical Case Manager
Foot Care:
  • Respond to reports from field-based teams regarding changes in a client’s toenails, pain, or difficulty walking.
  • Recommend podiatry reviews for clients based on observed issues or routine assessments.
    • For clients with cognitive impairments, ensure recommendations are communicated to the responsible person (e.g., a family member or legal guardian).
    • Recommend an annual foot check by a podiatrist for all clients.
Process - Foot
Support workers
  • Carers and support workers should integrate foot and nail care as part of personal care routines.
    • During personal care, observe the foot for changes to toenails, cracks on heels, or any breaks to the skin that may lead to infection
    • report to CCM and document in shift notes
  • HWH team members are not to trim/cut toenails. 
Process - Hand Nail Care
Support workers
  • Integrate hand and nail care into the personal care routine.
  • Use hand massages to observe hands and nails for any changes.
  • File nails using a nail file; avoid nail clippers unless directed by the client or responsible person.
  • Apply moisturizer after nail care, massaging it into the hands for hydration.