Step Wise Foot Care

I recently had a phone call inquiring about the nursing services that I provide so I gave the same detailed response that I always provide:

I am a Licensed Practical Nurse, trained in Basic and Advanced Nursing Footcare. I provide in home nursing foot care which includes a specialized assessment and treatment focused on maintaining healthy feet, particularly for (but not limited to) seniors and individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes or poor circulation. Service typically includes nail trimming and thinning, treatment of thickened or fungal nails, reduction of corns and calluses, management of ingrown toenails, skin and wound assessment, and education on proper foot hygiene and footwear. Like other nurses, I also monitor for signs of infection, ulcers, or circulation issues, helping to prevent complications and supporting overall mobility and independence.

I provide receipts for all my appointments. That's when the conversation threw me off guard. The individual I spoke to was shocked that a receipt is provided for the care provided 😲. If your footcare provider is not providing a receipt to you after the care is provided, you really need to rethink who is providing your care. If your provider is not providing you with a receipt, that is suggestive that they're not claiming the income which is fraudulent and unethical. If they're willing to breach those two things, what else are they willing to compromise?

Your feet have to last you a lifetime. Please don't compromise yourself for the sake of someone else.

Healthy feet provide a strong foundation.
Your feet carry you through life. Give them the care they deserve!

What some people may not know about me is I started my foot care business in Woodstock in 2017 when I was living there. I worked hard to build my business. I moved back to Fredericton in 2024 but I have continued to go to Woodstock and surrounding areas to continue to provide in home mobile care to those who requested it.

It frustrates me when appointments are booked (and confirmed) then I drive the 100 km to get there (at $1.76/litre for gas), I ring the doorbell, the dog goes nuts barking, the car is in the driveway but no answer at the door after 10 minutes of waiting. Or when I call the phone number, the individual picks up and hangs up immediately without a word.

My time is as valuable as anyone else’s. I’m working ridiculous hours right now to keep up with my commitments. Is it too much to ask for people to be respectful and cancel your appointment in advance if you no longer need it? Life happens, emergencies happen but to do this is just plain disrespectful.

And so this is my notice: when you confirm your appointment and then cancel with less than the required 24 hours notice for something outside of an emergency, I won’t be back. I have others who are waiting to be fit into my schedule. This is not fair to anyone.

Neuropathy: It Is Not Just About Diabetes

When many people hear the word neuropathy, they immediately think of diabetes. While diabetes is a common cause, neuropathy can affect anyone and can occur for many different reasons.

Neuropathy is damage or dysfunction of the nerves, most commonly affecting the feet and lower legs. Nerves are responsible for sensation, movement, temperature awareness, balance, and even communication between your body and brain. When nerves become damaged, those signals may become altered, delayed, or stop working properly.

Symptoms of neuropathy may include:

• Burning, tingling, or “pins and needles” sensations
• Numbness or reduced feeling in the feet
• Sharp, stabbing, aching, or electric shock-like pain
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness or balance problems
• Difficulty sensing temperature, pressure, or injury

Neuropathy is not a diagnosis itself — it is often a symptom of another underlying condition.

Conditions and factors that can contribute to neuropathy include:

• Diabetes and prediabetes
• Autoimmune conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis)
• Vitamin deficiencies, particularly B vitamins
• Thyroid disease
• Kidney or liver disease
• Alcohol misuse
• Certain medications
• Chemotherapy and cancer treatments
• Spinal problems, nerve compression, or back injuries
• Infections such as shingles or Lyme disease
• Circulation issues
• Injuries, trauma, or repetitive pressure on nerves

Some neuropathy may be temporary. For example, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy can improve after treatment for some individuals, though symptoms may persist for others. Nerve irritation caused by compression or vitamin deficiencies may also improve when the underlying cause is treated.

Unfortunately, some nerve damage can become permanent, especially when the cause is longstanding or untreated.

Why is neuropathy in the feet so concerning?

When you cannot feel pressure, pain, heat, cold, or injury properly, small problems can become serious problems without you realizing it. A blister, pressure area, crack in the skin, burn from hot water, or a poorly fitting shoe may go unnoticed until infection, tissue damage, or wounds develop.

Neuropathy may also affect balance and gait, increasing the risk of falls.

Why socks and shoes matter

Proper footwear is not just about comfort — it is protection.

People living with neuropathy should consider:

• Shoes with a proper fit and adequate toe room
• Supportive footwear that reduces pressure and friction
• Avoiding tight, narrow, or poorly fitted shoes
• Seamless or non-irritating socks when possible
• Moisture-wicking socks to help reduce skin issues
• Daily inspection of socks and footwear for wear, pressure points, or objects inside

Walking barefoot, even at home, can increase the risk of cuts, punctures, burns, and injury when sensation is reduced.

Why see a Foot Care Nurse?

Routine foot care becomes even more important when neuropathy is present.

A Foot Care Nurse can help by:

• Assessing skin, nails, circulation, sensation, and pressure areas
• Identifying early concerns before they become serious problems
• Providing safe nail and foot care when self-care becomes difficult or risky
• Monitoring changes over time
• Offering education on footwear, skin care, and daily foot checks
• Helping reduce risk factors that may lead to wounds or complications

If you have numbness, tingling, burning, foot pain, or changes in sensation, do not ignore it. Early assessment and ongoing foot monitoring can make a meaningful difference in protecting foot health and mobility.

Tools used for foot care should be single use OR steam sterilized. That’s best practice

If your foot care provider is soaking your feet as part of their treatment, they're doing you more harm than good! This does NOT follow best practice and by doing so, they're putting YOU and your feet at risk. 👣

Advocate to have that stopped. If they choose not to, you need to find a new provider, someone who is up to date on best practices. Your feet need to last you a lifetime‼️

For anyone in the Fredericton area needing help with aging loved ones, this is for you!

We’re so excited to share some wonderful news! 🎉

Our Adult Day Centre at Douglas Baptist Church has officially been approved by Social Development and is set to open June 1, 2026!

The program will run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, offering a safe, engaging space for seniors. Our goal is to support those experiencing isolation while also providing families with affordable, much-needed respite care.

Each day will include activities designed to keep both the mind and body active, think games, crafts, light exercise, and social connection 💛

Because we are keeping costs as low as possible for families, we will be relying heavily on donations and volunteers to make this program a success.

We are currently accepting donations of:
• Board games & puzzles
• Craft supplies
• Light hand weights or exercise balls
• Healthy snacks

If you’re able to contribute or would like to volunteer your time, we would love to hear from you!

📧 Contact Brittney at: [email protected]
📱 Or reach out via Facebook

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻, 𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲, 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹?

Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves, often starting in the feet. Symptoms can include loss of feeling, numbness, burning sensations, sharp or jabbing pain, hypersensitivity, or a “freezing” feeling. These changes increase the risk of unnoticed injuries, infections, and mobility issues, especially for people living with diabetes.

Advanced Foot Care Nurses focus on early identification, education, and preventive foot care for individuals experiencing neuropathy symptoms. Regular assessments help monitor sensation, skin health, circulation, and pressure points to reduce complications and support long-term foot health.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, proactive foot care is an important step.

📞 Call (506) 612-0636
📧 Email [email protected]

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