to be incapable of cutting my own toenails aged 51

[Goldfsh]

I am fairly fit and flexible, but I don't seem to be able to reach my toenails anymore, OR get them in focus in my damn vari-focus glasses.

Do I need special toe glasses like the ones I have for my computer?!

Is this the age when I need to get someone in to do my toenails?!

I feel about 100 years old and rather embarrassed. DH is just as bad, if not worse. We are now just randomly hacking at our blurred toenails by feel, and getting all sorts of problems.

What am I missing?!

I’m a little older, poor eyesight, varifocals, osteoarthritis but still don’t struggle.

I don’t think it’s your glasses? If it is, do you struggle with driving or reading?

It's the angle you're looking at them I think. I can't see my toes properly when I bend over to them but I can if I put my foot up on the sink. Not everyone can do that (I'm 70). It's better if I wear my reading glasses as there is no 'edge'. I finish them off with a nail file.

Just get a pedicure

My local nail bar, where I do have my nails painted, does offer a nail cutting service for those that can’t do it themselves, no painting obligation, which is good because quite a few men use it. Just pop in and ask, or google
and give them a call!

I’m in my sixties and can mange it although the little toe is the hardest on each foot. I think it slightly depends on body proportion as well as flexibility. I have long legs but a very short back.

What I cannot abide though is the thought of someone else touching my feet or cutting my nails. Also, I have hygiene worries about instruments and foot baths, especially with chiropodists who visit one private home after another.

The little toe is the worst. I've no idea what's going on there. I cannot get that in focus or in my vision at all. It bends right under my foot at whatever angle. I'm not sure there's really a nail there TBH. I just file that monster down.

Things that are rarely in focus are:

1. my toes
2. my DH when we sit opposite other to eat.

I keep buying different glasses from different places but I've given up now. I think it's just a varifocal thing and I can't be arsed to carry my computer glasses around all the time (they are probably the ones I need for these things).

Registered chiropodists and podiatrists are trained in disinfection and adhere to strict infection control protocols. So you are much less likely to get a nail or skin infection from cross contamination from them than you are at a nail bar, who aren't subject to the same rules and close scrutiny. Cross infection with fungal infections is very common at nail bars because they use the same heads for those disgusting drills and rarely use the right disinfectants (such as barbicide) to clean between clients.

I'm 66, wear varifocals and can cut my toenails successfully. I do go to podiatrist twice a year as well.

Fuck me, this is an eyeopener to a possible future I don't want and I'm 56!

@Goldfsh do you have a proper prescription for glasses other than the varifocals? Surely if you can't see your own toenails, you must struggle with other things too? Wouldn't it be worth asking the optician to sort you out with a decent pair of prescription glasses (they are pretty cheap these days as long as you don't have fancy stuff done with them and get a basic frame)?

Then could you not adjust the distance of your head from your feet sufficiently, even with knees bent to see your toenails in a well light room? If this is not, or could not be possible, then that is a bit concerning 😬.

OP I do genuinely sympathise but your post and updates have given me great enjoyment. Really funny (even if you didn’t intend them to be…)

Hi

I am 55 and I get the eyesight element as I am short sighted .

I have been getting my toenails painted and filed for years . Started out cosmetic now it’s worth it for personal reasons too .

It lasts weeks , no raggy nails and a nice neat job . If you don’t fancy polish you can just have a pedicure etc .

If you can afford it I highly recommend. You won’t look back

Time for yoga! It’s amazing what a difference it makes to your body. You aren’t that old!

Also, I have hygiene worries about instruments and foot baths, especially with chiropodists who visit one private home after another

Single use sterile at the point of opening is Gold Standard or proper use of an Autoclave ( they heat to 134-140c steam under pressure )

If in doubt , ask them !
Home Visits and clinic Visits should have the same level of hygiene for equipment Gloves , papers , aprons should all be single use and strict hand washing and disinfecting of the skin ( alcohol antiseptic like Hibiscrub or similar ).
( I am not au fait with nail bars though how they manage equipment )

Oh my, it could be me writing this!
I now treat myself to a pedicure and nail polish every six weeks. It’s the only ‘treat’ I have and it is so worth it

I’m 58 and have no difficulty reaching my toenails but have real problems seeing them clearly, I have long distance, computer and reading glasses and none of them remove the blur. I am thinking of a podiatrist!

You have made me smile. But at 51 and if you don’t have disability or medical conditions I would get yourself some better glasses and down to the gym and have your strength and flexibility checked. My mum at 90 cuts hers, I cut mine, I am pretty sure the people I socialise with can. Can you stand on one leg to put on a sock and shoe and fasten your shoe? It is important to notice loss of function in activities of daily living such as this and try to exercise to prevent decline.

I can reach with no bother, they've just become so damn' tough, it's like cracking a walnut.

Simple, use a nail file!
Makes life so much easier.

I used to do foot checks for patients with diabetes and they often had issues cutting their toenails.

They were always relieved to find a simple way in which they could keep their toenails in check!

No risk of cutting the surrounding skin and introducing infection or cutting the nails too short.

Have you considered cutting each others toenails ? Instead of struggling to cut your own.

As well as the stuff here, about long scissors and glasses, I would try to work on flexibility. The body will seize up and you want to prevent it for as long as possible. Something like yoga will make you move and bend your spine and maintain flexibility. It will make a huge difference to quality of life in old age.

Lol. I do have to photograph mine to see how I'm doing.