Foot pain in later life: some psychosocial correlates

What we have just described is a collection of problems that mark our aged of today and clearly indicate that primary foot care should be provided as a primary health service for the elderly, the mentally ill, the emotionally ill, the retarded, the blind, and others with chronic diseases. For if any of the primary problems were present on any other part of the body, except the foot, they would be provided as a covered service under the current Medicare regulations. One might ask if the foot is not a part of the anatomy and if perhaps we have forgotten the words of the classic song, which proclaims that the foot bone is connected to the head bone. The author might add a "footnote" ... in so many ways. To achieve the desired outcome of having podiatric services available to all aging patients, foot care must be integrated into all comprehensive forms of health care delivery, so that podiatric care becomes a primary service, thus permitting patients to maintain an optimal level of foot health and general health. The ability to walk requires a catalyst--foot health. Keeping patients walking is a goal that has been a part of the podiatric profession since its inception over a century ago. With the high prevalence of foot problems in the elderly, and especially in those with chronic disease and mental impairment, the needs for the future are significant. It has been projected that we as a nation and society cannot afford to deliver a maximum level of health care for the elderly. In truth, we cannot afford not to provide these basic and needed services. For it is our society that has prolonged life. It is now our responsibility to provide life for these precious given years and to assure dignity for those who have made life better for all of us.