She Thought It Was Just a Callus: The Reality of Diabetic Foot Care in Bedford
- jenna624
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Jenna Fralick, BScN RN
The Silent Danger Beneath the Skin
It started with what looked like a harmless callus. No pain. No redness. Just a rough patch on her heel. But weeks later, it had opened into a deep ulcer—infected, swollen, and life-threatening. Her daughter thought she was helping by applying ointment and bandages. But by the time they reached the ER, the infection had spread. They were told amputation was likely.
This is not an isolated story.
In our work with families across Nova Scotia, we see it time and time again: people living with diabetes underestimate the impact of foot changes until it’s too late. What they need isn’t more bandages or creams. They need consistent, proactive diabetic foot care—and in Bedford and surrounding areas of Nova Scotia, that support is hard to find.
Why Diabetic Foot Care in Bedford Is Harder to Access Than It Should Be
Diabetic foot care Bedford services are critically needed—but options are limited. In Nova Scotia, publicly funded foot care is almost entirely hospital- or long-term care–based. If you’re aging at home or living with a disability, you’re often left to navigate foot care on your own.
There’s no walk-in diabetic foot care centre in Bedford. Podiatrist waitlists are long. Family doctors are overrun. Many caregivers don’t even know nursing foot care exists.
And that’s where people fall through the cracks—especially women, who are often balancing caregiving, finances, and their own health.
What Diabetic Foot Care Really Involves—and Why It Saves Limbs
Most people assume diabetic foot care just means “keeping your feet clean.” In reality, it’s a comprehensive nursing practice that can detect problems before they become critical.
A foot care nurse is trained to:
Monitor foot skin integrity and circulation
Trim nails safely (especially thick, curved, or infected nails)
Identify early signs of neuropathy or pressure damage
Perform corn and callus removal without harming tissue
Manage ingrown toenails and minor wounds
Refer for urgent intervention when needed
A Canadian study by Botros and Vlahovitch (2020) found that routine foot care by a qualified nurse reduced diabetic ulcer risk by over 60%—especially when started early.
That’s why we launched our Advanced Foot Care Clinic in Bedford—to bring this life-saving service closer to home.
Corn, Calluses, and Catastrophe: What Families Don’t Know Can Hurt
We often hear:
“It’s just a toenail.”“She’s not complaining—it must be fine.” “He said he didn’t want to bother anyone.”
But diabetes changes everything.What starts as a rough spot or thickened nail can spiral into:
Chronic wounds
Skin breakdown from pressure or friction
Loss of sensation (neuropathy)
Infections that go unnoticed
Ulcers that lead to amputation
According to Diabetes Canada (2022), 50% of diabetic foot ulcers become infected, and 15–25% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Amputations are often the end result—and yet, most are preventable with early foot care.
Real Stories, Real Relief: Why We Opened Our Bedford Clinic
When we asked families in Bedford what they needed, the answers were clear:
“I just want someone to check my dad’s feet monthly.”
“I don’t want to wait months for a podiatry appointment.”
“We’ve been trimming mom’s nails ourselves and we’re terrified of hurting her.”
There was no local solution. So we built one.
38 Ella Lane, Suite 204 – Bedford, NS
Our Advanced Foot Care Clinic is now accepting bookings for September.We offer:
Routine diabetic foot care
Nail trimming and reduction
Corn and callus removal
Ingrown toenail care
Education and monitoring
All provided by licensed foot nurses with experience in diabetes care.
Book online now at www.rwhc.janeapp.com
How Our Foot Nurses Prevent Amputations One Appointment at a Time
What sets our approach apart?It’s not just the service—it’s the trust and continuity.
Our nurses:
Take time to listen, observe, and educate
Use sterile, medical-grade tools
Understand how diabetes, aging, and disability interact
Offer care in both clinic and in-home settings
For people who can’t easily leave home, we offer mobile diabetic foot care services—because lack of transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to health.
Call us to book in-home diabetic foot care across Nova Scotia: 902-497-0722
Not Just Seniors: Who Else Needs Foot Care Right Now?
One myth we often hear:
“Foot care is just for the elderly.”
In truth, many people living with diabetes develop foot complications well before age 65. And individuals with disabilities, vision impairment, neuropathy, or arthritis are also at high risk.
It’s about:
Access to safe care
Equity for people who can’t manage on their own
Education for families who want to help but don’t know how
If you or your loved one is living with diabetes, even one of the following signs means it’s time to seek foot care:
Thickened or discoloured toenails
Skin cracks or peeling
Tingling, numbness, or cold feet
Foot pain while walking
Corns, calluses, or blisters
Trouble reaching or seeing feet
Diabetes, neuripathy or other chronic conditions
Take Control of Your Health—Or Help a Loved One Do the Same
If there’s one takeaway, let it be this:
That callus isn’t just a callus.
Every person with diabetes deserves access to preventive care—without shame, without waitlists, and without guessing.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Learn more about our diabetic foot care services HERE
Clinic Info:
Advanced Foot Care Clinic – Bedford
📍 38 Ella Lane, Suite 204, Bedford NS
🗓 Now accepting bookings for September
📞 For in-home foot care, call: 902-497-0722
References
Botros, M., & Vlahovitch, D. (2020). Preventing diabetic foot ulcers through routine nursing care. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 44(5), 400–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2020.06.012
Diabetes Canada. (2022). Foot care and diabetes. https://www.diabetes.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2023). Diabetes and chronic disease prevention in aging populations. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
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