Healthy feet support comfort, movement and independence. For a person living with dementia, maintaining good foot health can make an especially meaningful difference, helping them stay steady, confident and involved in the activities they enjoy. Personal footcare—simple daily actions like moisturising the skin and checking for changes—can prevent discomfort, reduce the risk of falls and support overall wellbeing. These small routines can make a big difference in helping someone remain independent for as long as possible.
In 2025, the Scottish Government refreshed their Personal Footcare Guidance (2025) to shine a light on the importance of prevention, early intervention, and the power of supported self-management. The guidance aims to ensure that individuals, carers, health professionals, and social care teams have a shared understanding of what good personal footcare looks like and how it can be supported across Scotland.
The guidance gives clear information about what personal footcare involves:
- regular nail trimming and filing
- moisturising the skin
- checking the skin for cracks or signs of infection
- ensuring footwear fits well.
These tasks do not require specialist training. Many people can carry out this care themselves, but when that becomes difficult—whether due to dementia, reduced mobility, eyesight changes, or other health conditions—carers, family members, and support staff can play an essential role in helping with these tasks.
For individuals who need extra help, Scotland’s free personal care can offer valuable support. Adults of any age who are assessed by their local authority as requiring personal care are entitled to receive this without charge, including assistance with toenail and fingernail care. Access begins with a social care needs assessment carried out by the local authority’s social work team, which leads to a personalised care plan outlining the support provided. For people living with dementia, this can be especially important as everyday tasks become more challenging. If support needs change, families can contact their local social care team to request a review.
For people living with dementia, foot discomfort may go unnoticed or uncommunicated, which can lead to changes in walking, reduced activity, and increased falls. Regular footcare allows carers and family members to spot issues early, identify changes in skin or nail condition, and seek help from NHS podiatry services when needed. These early interventions help prevent larger problems that could lead to pain, hospital admission, or a decline in mobility.
NHS podiatry services play a vital role in protecting mobility, preventing complications and supporting overall wellbeing. The guidance makes a clear distinction between personal footcare and NHS podiatry. While personal footcare supports day‑to‑day comfort, podiatrists provide essential clinical expertise—assessing, diagnosing and treating complex foot and lower‑limb conditions, particularly when there is infection, ulceration or musculoskeletal problems, helping to reduce risk and prevent serious complications.
Some people may also choose to use private podiatry services, which often provide treatments such as routine nail care that are not offered by NHS podiatry. This can be a helpful additional option for those who would like extra support. If accessing private podiatry services, please ensure they are HCPC registered. You can check at: Check the Register and find a registered health and care professional | The HCPC
To support self‑care, or care provided by family, friends or carers, there are excellent national resources available. NHS Inform offers easy‑to‑follow videos and printable guides, making personal footcare more accessible for anyone wishing to learn or refresh their knowledge. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) also provides a Personal Care for FeetOpen Badge—an online learning resource designed to build confidence and competence in delivering safe personal footcare across different care settings. Together, these resources help ensure that personal footcare can be delivered safely, consistently and with dignity.
Ultimately, supporting someone living with dementia goes beyond clinical care—it is about maintaining comfort, dignity, confidence, and independence. Good personal footcare can help contribute to all of these. Whether delivered through self-care, carer support or local services, footcare is a small act with a significant impact. By promoting awareness, making resources accessible, and ensuring people can access the right care at the right time, we can help individuals with dementia live well and stay active in their communities.
Links to resources: Looking after your feet | NHS inform
Foot Care in Care Settings – Personal Care for Feet – SSSC MyLearning
Footcare at home can be viewed here
Your podiatry postcard here
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