You are wise to be cautious. Wounds can be very slow to heal in these patients. The risk of infection is always a concern. Improper foot and nail care can lead to severe disability. Reduced sensation, limited mobility, and poor vision are three main reasons older adults stop caring for their feet.

Correcting toenail disease is important. The best approach may be to seek the professional opinion and services of a podiatrist. A podiatrist is trained to care for problems of this type in the feet.

It may be necessary to take your mother to the foot specialist on a monthly basis. Many times insurance and Medicare will pay for these services. If they don't, the cost of this appointment compared to even one day's hospitalization makes it well worth the cash outlay.