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Finger Nails

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L

LizRose

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
Hi
My 95 year old stepfather is housebound, he has carers three times a day for personal care and community nurses twice a day to check blood glucose and administer insulin. He also has an ulcer on his heel which is dressed regularly by the nurses.
I have been cutting his fingernails for several months as I understand carers and nurses are not permitted to do this, however I am finding this increasingly difficult as his hands have become clenched and it's hard to get to the nails, I am terrified of cutting his skin.
I don't feel I can do this anymore but don't know where to turn. He has a home visit from podiatrists but I understand they do not cut fingernails.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
 
What does his GP suggest? - that's the first port of call I'd try.

Incidentally - podiatrists do exclusively deal with feet. However, a proper chiropodist was supposed to deal with both hands and feet - dunno if they do.
 
Hi. When mum was alive we had similar problems with her hands, at first the gp was at a loss to what could be done Mum hade severe dementia, I eventually found out that a department called occupational health, here would come out , they supplied a special fleecy pad for one hand that had nearly closed up to stop the nails digging in. and a devise that held the other hand in a more natural position. If you’re Dad has visits from a Community nurse they may be able to supply them.
Sorry not much help with the nail cutting other than to say I fully understand how difficult it is.
 
We were visiting an old neighbour who got admitted into one of the local care homes. In the middle of our chat, an employee came over and asked him if he wanted/needed his fingernails done. She had a bag of implements etc.

So, presumably, there must be health professionals who do do this. I don't know what they would be called, or how one goes about getting it done, but a GP should be able to point you in the right direction.
 
Thank you Ljc and C&E Guy for your replies. When I think about it, I can't remember being asked to cut his nails while he was in the nursing home!
I have been trying to contact his home care providers to see if they can help, if not will try his GP. Makes me wonder who would do this for a person living alone with no family to call on.
 
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