All three senior centers in Mineral County receive funding to help defray the cost of senior foot care, which is conducted by Laurie Fillo, a retired registered nurse.

She works with the centers and has a certain day(s) each month that she sets up shop inside the respective location and performs a thorough examination, nail trim and then a relaxing foot massage for those over 60 years old.

The cost of $9 for this service would be much more if it wasn’t for the Western Montana Area VI Agency on Aging.

Fillo also works with diabetics and handicapped but the cost is not supported by the funding. Each session takes 30 minutes.

To schedule an appointment at the St. Regis Senior Center, call 529-0128. She is there the first Friday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For the Superior Senior Center, Fillo provides the service on the second Monday and second Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and appointments are to be scheduled at 822-4035.

The Alberton Senior Center senior foot care is on the second Wednesday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 214-9160 is the number for scheduling your time.

Jim Goss, Superior Senior Center Bookkeeper said it’s very popular but fewer seniors are having it done.

“I’m sure it’s due to COVID but Laurie takes all precautions and still has a pretty full day when she’s here. Again, the funding from Aging Services helps with this as it does with other departments like home delivered meals”. One in three adults over the age of 65 experience foot pain, stiffness, or aching.

Some of the most common foot problems in older adults include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, ingrown, thickened or discolored nails, diabetic foot conditions, poor circulation, and heel pain.

Getting older often can bring on extra weight and fat. But the one place you can lose padding is in your feet. Which is not good, because you need the cushioned layer to protect your tootsies from the daily pounding.

Legs, ankles, and feet swell when excess fluid is pulled down by gravity and builds up in the lower body. This is called edema and it's common in older adults and usually happens on both sides of the body.

Being a former registered nurse, Fillo will be on the lookout for this as well.