Are you trying to think of something special to do for and/or with your senior parent? I spotted the greatest idea this week on Google + from HomeInstead Senior Care. They suggested giving them a pedicure at home, and added some great suggestions for how to do just that.
Sadly, I have to confess, I can't stand the sound of nail clippers. It's like fingernails screeching down a chalkboard to me. I don't know why. I've just always been that way. I can barely do my own feet, and I was always reticent about doing it to my kids soft toenails, though they aren't too bad. Unfortunately though, as we grow older, our toenails get tougher as I'm seeing with my own feet. The good news, though, is that according to my nursing assistant handbook, that's not necessarily a bad thing! Cutting our beloved senior citizen's toenails incorrectly could actually lead to nasty infections and worse!
For my senior dad, I still have lovely memories of my kids giving their grandpa a pedicure with peel off polish when they would visit. We all had such fun watching and laughing at the whole process. Later, when they moved near me as his health was deteriorating, my mom and I used to take him out for a lovely lunch and then a stop at a nail salon that did men and women's nails. He loved chatting with the sweet woman who regularly helped him and always left with a smile on his face.
When my senior mom was having feet issues and was referred to a podiatrist, we discovered her wonderful doctor routinely includes nail clipping in the process. After reading my text book, I thanked them doubly last time as I know it is a huge safety blessing for her as well as me.
We always make the trip to the podiatrist fun with lunch out, some shopping, the doctor's and then a yummy blizzard at Dairy Queen on the ride home. She is not a nail-polish sort of person, nor am I. But we have daughters and granddaughters who love it, along with several senior friends. If you and your sweet senior agree, you can then top off the day with a nail polish chaser at home – Pink, anyone? 
Loved this cute photo from Pink Sherbet Photography. I sure wish my toes still looked like this.
Kaye
P.S. Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate them very much and read each one. I also do my best to reply to them all but, as you can imagine, there are times (many times, lately :) ) when caregiving needs do not allow for that. Thank you for your patience and your sweet comments.
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Kaye, I am happy to be your newest follower, directed from Say It Saturday. I am so touched by the unselfish life you lead in service to others. My mother passed away 4 years ago and spent the last 2 months of her life with me. After she died, I agonized over how much more I could have done for her. But then those thoughts were replaced by the many memories of kindnesses I DID accomplish! Your writing is bringing back all those GOOD times! I was able to capture the feral cat she fed, bring it home and “civilize” it as I promised her. Every day I hug “Annie” tightly and she purrs deeply as we both remember the mom we held in common.
Joyce recently posted..Halloween Marathon #2 Mason Jar Monday Monsters
Oh Joyce, what sweet memories! Thank you so much for sharing them and for your lovely words of inspiration and encouragement. And you are absolutely right to be focusing on the positive! How fun to have a cute feline companion to help with that.
I was browsing Beverly’s links and your photo caught my eye – turns out I had just read your comment on my blog. Hope your mom finds the flowers I posted about. They are quite unique though my husband says everyone has them here in Central Texas.
Great idea for seniors . . . if they’d be so inclined to allow it.
Thanks for having stopped by -enjoyed reading your thoughts. Happy Pink Saturday!
Jenn recently posted..Pink Saturday: Boy in a Boat
What fun, Jenn. Thanks for the info and the fun meetings.