It happens way too frequently. An elderly nursing home resident with poor circulation and diabetes receives poor care at the nursing home and ends up losing a foot…or worse a leg. Why does it happen?
It happens because “at risk” patients don’t receive a thorough assessment and an individualized preventive care plan. Foot health and amputation prevention programs for geriatric patients with diabetes are crucial to allowing the elderly to remain functional and independent. Patients with healthy feet can continue to walk and exercise.
Geriatric and long-term care residents with diabetes have a greater risk for foot ulcers, infections and amputations due to diabetic neuropathy. Usually first observed as a tingling sensation, diabetic neuropathy often results in loss of sensation in the feet. This makes residents especially vulnerable to silent or painless trauma.
My Take: If your loved one has risk factors for amputation, make certain they receive daily or weekly assessments and that there is a care plan in place which is strictly followed and revised if ineffective.