✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Memory Care & Foot Health — Podiatric Services for Dementia Patients

Dementia Patients Can’t Tell You Their Feet Hurt

One of the most important — and most overlooked — aspects of dementia care is foot health. Patients with dementia cannot reliably communicate pain. A severe ingrown toenail infection, an ulcer developing under a callus, or a stress fracture may go entirely unreported, progressing silently until it becomes a systemic infection or causes a catastrophic fall. Regular podiatric assessment catches these problems before they escalate.

What We Watch For in Memory Care Patients

Behavioral changes (agitation, withdrawal, guarding of a limb) may be the only sign of foot pain in dementia patients. We assess for: wound development under calluses and pressure points, skin breakdown from ill-fitting footwear (patients may wear the same shoes for years), nail problems including ingrown nails and fungal infections, fall risk from foot problems, and circulatory changes that need monitoring.

Our Memory Care Approach

Gentle, patient, thorough foot care with techniques adapted for patients who may be anxious or uncooperative. Clear communication with nursing staff and family members about our findings. Documentation that supports medical billing and continuity of care. Regular scheduled visits to catch developing problems early.

Call (810) 206-1402 to discuss podiatric services for memory care units in your facility.

Memory Care Podiatry in Michigan: Foot Health for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients

Residents of memory care facilities with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease present unique challenges for podiatric care: behavioral resistance to examination, inability to communicate pain or discomfort, cognitive barriers to following post-treatment instructions, and the additional complication that many have diabetes, vascular disease, or other systemic conditions that elevate foot health risk. Balance Foot & Ankle serves memory care facilities in Livingston and Oakland counties with on-site podiatric services delivered by clinicians experienced in managing the behavioral and communication challenges of this population — using patience, distraction techniques, and adapted examination approaches that minimize distress during the visit.

The clinical priorities in memory care podiatry include: identifying wounds or pre-ulcerative changes that the resident cannot report (staff visual checks are the primary surveillance tool, but many skin breaks go unnoticed until the podiatry visit); managing nail conditions that cause pain during ambulation or repositioning; detecting and treating infections early in immunocompromised or diabetic residents; and advising facility staff on appropriate footwear for residents with gait and balance issues. Dementia patients are significantly more likely to fall when foot pain changes their gait pattern — and foot pain is often unrecognized in this population because residents cannot reliably express it. Our Michigan memory care podiatry service coordinates with facility directors and nursing staff to establish routine visit schedules and urgent-access protocols for acute foot concerns. Memory care facility administrators in the Howell, Brighton, Bloomfield Hills, and Troy areas can reach us at (810) 206-1402.

Michigan memory care facilities benefit from a podiatrist who communicates proactively with the facility director and nursing staff after each visit — not just leaving a note in the chart. Our post-visit summary for memory care residents includes: conditions treated, any new findings requiring follow-up, footwear recommendations, and any observations about the resident’s pain response during care that may indicate unaddressed discomfort between podiatry visits. This communication loop is particularly valuable for dementia patients who cannot advocate for themselves — the facility team becomes the patient’s voice, and our clinical observations support the facility’s care planning. Memory care facilities in Livingston County (Howell, Brighton) and Oakland County (Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Royal Oak) can contact Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to discuss establishing a regular on-site podiatry program tailored to the memory care population.

Related Treatment Guides

• Ingrown Toenail Treatment
• Stress Fracture Treatment
• Corn & Callus Treatment

For Michigan families whose loved one with dementia has been resisting foot care from facility staff — reacting aggressively to nail care or examination — our visiting podiatrist brings a specific set of behavioral accommodation techniques and the clinical authority to complete care safely and with minimal distress. We work with the facility’s behavioral support team and the resident’s family to develop an individualized approach to care that respects the resident’s dignity while ensuring essential foot health needs are met. Memory care facilities in Livingston and Oakland counties can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to discuss residents with specific behavioral needs before scheduling.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Clinical References

1. Allan LM, Ballard CG, Rowan EN, Kenny RA. Incidence and prediction of falls in dementia: a prospective study in older people. PLoS One. 2009;4(5):e5521.
2. Menz HB, Morris ME, Lord SR. Foot and ankle characteristics associated with impaired balance and functional ability in older people. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005;60(12):1546-1552.
3. Fernando ME, Crowther RG, Pappas E, et al. Plantar pressure in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients. PLoS One. 2014;9(6):e99050.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.