Companionship care
We carefully match Care Professionals with clients to ensure a meaningful bond is created.
Nail Care & Nail Cutting For The Elderly
Specialist nail care for the elderly, delivered within the comforts of home.
Why is nail care at home so important?
Many of us don’t give a second thought to our toenails until a painful condition starts to affect our mobility. As well as the potential to cause pain and discomfort, issues like ingrown toenails and infections become more serious as we age. Studies have found that nail changes – such as brittle nails, discolouration or numb toes – can indicate underlying health conditions. Having regular at-home nail care appointments with Home Instead means our experienced, friendly Care Professionals can help catch any troublesome nail issues early, as well as help you feel refreshed from fingers to toes.
How can we help?
We've helped thousands of families to stay safe, comfortable and happy at home. Whatever situation you're facing, or whatever the question is, Home Instead is here to help.
Are you in need of a little guidance right away?
03300 583450Other non-care-related enquiries
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What does a nail care appointment involve?
At Home Instead, we specialise in at-home domiciliary care to help you or your loved one avoid stressful appointments, while preserving as much independence as possible. Nail care is no exception, and we can provide a trained Care Professional to help maintain nail health from home.
Our approach means fully personalised nail care, including:
- A pre-visit risk assessment for conditions like diabetes, haemophilia, poor circulation and more (our Care Professionals will not carry out nail care on diagnosed diabetic patients – they will require specialist foot care from their GP)
- A Care Professional with an accredited nail cutting and care qualification
- Regular checks for signs of ill health, and if necessary, recommendations for clinical intervention (our service does not include chiropody, so our team will advise if a separate medical check-up is required)
- Full pedicure service, including trimming, filing, and cuticle maintenance
- A full clean to refresh nails and ensure feet remain free from infections
- A relaxing massage of the hands and feet to promote wellbeing
- Optional moisturising and nail polish application (if desired)
What we do to care for your loved ones
We offer two types of home care: hourly care, where we visit at set times, or live-in care, where a carer resides in the home. Both are overseen by our care management team and delivered by compassionate Care Professionals. Each care package is made up of a unique mix of services to meet your needs.
Home help & meal prep
Keeping the home environment clean, safe, and nourishing with home-cooked meals.Personal care
Assistance with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, always respecting the dignity of your loved one.Mobility support
Helping your loved one move around their home safely, including transfers and positioning.Health appointment management
We support your loved one to attend those important health appointments.Community engagement
We enable your loved one to continue to do the things you enjoy, be it a visit to the garden centre or your local art group.Transportation
Assistance getting your loved ones from A to B, whether it be to go visit a friend or help with their shopping.Medication management
Ensuring medicines are taken correctly and on time, supporting overall health.
Why is nail care best done at home?
Obtaining chiropody appointments through the NHS can be challenging due to long wait times. Our service is a useful alternative that, while not offering full chiropody, focuses on nail health as a preventative approach rather than as a treatment for conditions that have already developed. The benefits of carrying out this service at home include:
- Avoiding stressful travel to and from appointments
- Working around daily routines, schedules and mobility issues
- Minimising risk of infection which is often heightened in clinical settings
- Having appointments in a familiar and comfortable environment to reduce anxiety
- Helping you or your loved one to fully relax and enjoy the nail care experience
This is a company whose staff really do care on a personal level and who are client orientated, providing stimulative activities, conversation and going the extra mile to help client and family.
Eileen, Client
I have had my care from Home Instead for almost ten years and things just keep getting better. I can’t praise them enough.
Kevan, Client
From day one Home Instead has given us a first-class professional caring service. Office staff and carers very helpful and understanding.
Paul and Sandra, Clients
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Guides & Support
FAQs
- What happens to nails as you age?
Nails tend to grow at a slower rate over time, decreasing by around 0.5% per year from age 25 onwards. For elderly people, nails grow very slowly, and studies suggest they can become thicker, more brittle, misshapen, and discoloured, developing a yellow tint. Without regular nail care, this can lead to pain and mobility issues.
- What nail disorders do older people commonly get?
Elderly people are more at risk of developing a number of nail disorders. Onychomycosis is thought to be the most common, representing around 50% of all nail conditions. It has a high recurrence rate in ageing adults, but can be managed with regular sanitization techniques. Another common condition is onychorrhexis, which causes nails to split and become brittle, flakey or soft. Ingrown toenails are also a regular problem for elderly people, resulting from infrequent nail trimming.
- How do you take care of elderly nails?
It can be difficult for elderly people to take proper care of their own nails due to mobility and dexterity limitations. Frequent trimming can prevent ingrown toenails and discomfort, cleaning can prevent fungal infections developing, and moisturising can keep nails and cuticles hydrated and healthy – at Home Instead, we can provide this as a regular service.
- Why is nail care important for the elderly?
Neglected nails can cause infections, and with a potentially weakened immune system, these can be more serious in old age. Nail care could also positively impact the mental health of elderly people, as studies suggest beauty therapy – including foot massages, as offered by our Home Instead service – can have psychological benefits that promote a sense of emotional wellbeing.
- How often should elderly people cut their nails?
It is advised that elderly people trim their toenails regularly. As a general rule this should be carried out every 6-8 weeks, but if you or your loved one’s nails tend to grow very fast, they may require more frequent trims. It is usually best to have someone inspect the nails regularly to identify any signs of nail conditions or overgrowth.
- Why do the elderly get thicker nails?
Nail growth slows down with age, and elderly people often have thicker toenails as a result of a buildup of nail material. Health conditions like diabetes and fungal infections can also lead to thicker nail growth.
- How can you prevent nail problems in the elderly?
Prevention is better than treating conditions that have already developed, and the best way to prevent nail problems in the elderly is to regularly inspect feet for illness, clean and moisturise, and trim toenails. Adequate, comfortable footwear should also be encouraged as sometimes shoe sizes can change in old age, so getting measured is important.
- Why should the elderly not cut their own nails?
Elderly people must exercise extreme caution when attempting to cut their own nails, as they may have reduced flexibility, movement and vision, making accidental injuries much more likely. This can make nail maintenance challenging, but professional nail care can reduce the risk of complications and keep nails healthy.
- Does Home Instead help people without mobility issues?
Yes. Our Care Professionals are there to help ageing adults maintain healthy nails and feet, no matter their age or level of mobility. You may wish to start a regular nail maintenance routine now to prevent painful nail conditions later in life, prepare for the future when you may not be able to manage them alone, or just to enjoy the rejuvenating massage provided during your visit – there are many reasons to start receiving professional nail care at home. If you have any questions, you can reach out to our team to learn more about how we can help.