Foot care is an essential component of holistic resident care, especially for older adults and those with chronic conditions like diabetes, poor circulation, or limited mobility. Neglecting foot care can lead to serious complications that affect both health and independence.

1. Prevents Infections and Skin Breakdown
Regular foot care helps identify and prevent issues such as fungal infections, ingrown toenails, calluses, blisters, and pressure sores—common problems that can quickly escalate if left untreated.

2. Promotes Comfort and Mobility
Clean, well-maintained feet reduce discomfort during walking or transfers, which encourages activity and helps maintain strength, balance, and independence.

3. Supports Early Detection of Circulatory or Neurological Issues
Caregivers trained in proper foot care can spot warning signs like swelling, discoloration, numbness, or slow-healing wounds, allowing for early intervention and prevention of more serious complications.

4. Enhances Dignity and Quality of Life
Routine foot care shows respect for the resident’s personal hygiene and well-being. Taking the time to care for their feet can improve self-esteem, emotional comfort, and trust in their caregiver.

In summary, proper foot care is not just a grooming task—it is a critical health practice that supports safety, mobility, infection prevention, and overall quality of life for residents in long-term care.

You will need the following to Perform Foot Care on a Resident: 

• Barrier
• Towel
• Gloves
• Bath Basin
• Soap
• Socks/Shoes
• 2 Washcloths
• Lotion

1. Preparation & Hand Hygiene

• Read and follow the Care Plan, the whole Care Plan, and nothing but the Care Plan.
• Knock and announce yourself before entering.
• Greet the Resident by name and introduce yourself.
• Explain the task to the Resident and ensure their comfort and consent.
• Close the Privacy Curtain.
• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Place Barrier on the floor in front of Resident.
• Ask Resident to Place foot on Barrier.
• Gather your supplies
  • Do Not allow supplies to touch your Uniform. 
  • Do Not touch supplies until your hands are clean.
• Place Supplies on Barrier.
• Assess Glove Rules (Are Gloves required for this Resident?)

2. Performing Foot Care

• Retrieve Wash Basin and bring to the sink. 
• Use a paper towel to turn water on. 
• Using your forearm, verify water temperature. 
• Using Warm water, fill Wash Basin.
• Ask Resident to Check Water Temperature.
  • Adjust Temperature accordingly.
• Once Temperature is acceptable, ask Resident to submerge their Foot in the water. 
• Apply your gloves. 
• Roll up Resident’s Pant Leg. 
• Lift Resident’s Leg, and remove Resident’s Sock, place Sock on Barrier.  
• Place Washcloths in Basin. 
• Using one washcloth, wring it out over Basin, and use it to wet Resident’s Foot.
  • Place this washcloth on side of Wash Basin. 
• Lift Resident’s Foot and place gently on towel next to Wash Basin. 
• Using the other Washcloth, and the LEAVES Method, clean all areas of the Resident’s Foot. 
• Apply Soap to the washcloth and wipe down all areas of the Resident’s Foot.
• When cleaning the bottom of the Foot, pay very close attention for anything Abnormal.
  • Sores, cuts or anything else out of the norm. 
• Place Resident’s Foot back into the Wash Basin.  
• Rinse Resident’s Foot using Rinse Washcloth.
• Gently Place Resident’s Foot back onto Towel next to Washbasin.
• Dry all areas of Resident’s Foot using the Towel. 
• Ask Resident about discomfort or pain throughout. 
• Apply a small amount of lotion to Resident, warming it up in your hands, before applying. 
• Wipe off Excess lotion with Towel. 
• Reapply Resident’s Sock.
• Unroll Resident’s Pant Leg.
• Reapply Resident’s Shoe.
• Ensure shoe is tied properly.

3. Supply Disposal

• Place towel and wash cloths in Soiled Linens. 
• Pour Wash Basin into Sink. 
• Clean Wash Basin per Facility guidelines.
• Use a Paper Towel to pick up Wash Basin
• Dry Wash Basin with Paper Towels. 
• Return to your supplies and place Lotion and Soap into Wash Basin.
• Use a paper towel to open Bedside Table. 
• Place Wash Basin in Bedside Table.
• Dispose of Barrier in the garbage. 
• Remove and dispose of Gloves. 

4. Addressing Resident Comfort & Closing

• Ensure Resident is comfortable.
• Ask about Resident needs and preferences.
• Provide Resident with Call light.
• Open Privacy Curtain and ensure bed is in lowest position.
• Thoroughly wash your hands.
• Think about the Steps of your Skill. Make any corrections. Tell the evaluator your Skills is complete.

• Not reading and following the Care Plan, the whole Care Plan, and nothing but the Care Plan.
• Not greeting Resident or describing Task. 
• Not verifying Water Temperature with Resident
• Forcing Resident to use a Water Temperature that is uncomfortable/harmful. 
• Not thoroughly washing your hands.
• Not gathering your supplies. 
• Not thoroughly Washing/Applying soap/Rinsing Resident’s Foot.
• Performing Care on the incorrect Foot. 
• Not warming Lotion in your hands prior to applying to the Resident. 
• Not wiping off Excess Lotion from Resident’s Foot. 
• Not providing Resident with Call Light. 
• Not ensuring bed is left in the lowest position.