BackgroundFoot health is an important aspect of general health, and it can be maintained and promoted through foot self-care. However, little is known about older people’s experiences of caring for their feet. The aim of this study was to gather knowledge about experiences of foot self-care from the perspective of healthy older people in order to improve their welfare and their management of foot health.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design with focus groups was used. Seventeen older people recruited from daytime activity centres participated in the focus groups (n = 4). The data were analysed using inductive content analysis.ResultsThe participants described their foot self-care as including various activities, but they were hindered by the following factors: physical (e.g. changes in nail structure), external (e.g. seeking help from multi-level professionals) and internal (e.g. related to ageing). Foot self-care was considered to be important, but it was not systematically carried out. The participants thought that health-care professionals neglected patients’ feet.ConclusionsOlder people use a variety of methods to care for their feet. However, several factors hinder their ability to do so. Older people need advice, education and support to maintain their foot health. Future research is needed to identify effective ways to support older people in foot self-care and improve their welfare as active citizens.

Nursing practice includes static standing and much walking causing strains to lower extremities. However, little is known about nurses' foot health and particularly their perceptions of their foot health. Therefore, in this study operating room nurses' perceptions of their foot health was investigated and promoting and hindering factors were identified. In total, 14 operating room nurses participated in in-depth interviews. The informants regarded foot health as part of general health and moreover a significant part of work well-being. Promoting factors for foot health were activity in sports and foot self-care as well as varying work conditions and seeing patients with severe foot conditions which served as a motivating factor to care for their own feet. On the contrary, hindering factors were unsuitable footwear, constant standing, and lack of motivation to care for their own feet. Based on this study, nurses' value their foot health which should be promoted. Nurses could benefit from annual foot health assessments and foot self-care education provided by occupational health professionals.