What are Foot and Hand Carers - Foot and Hand Carers Association

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What are Foot and Hand Carers?

	By definition, a Foot and Hand Carer trims nails, reduces corns and callus, massages, maintains and monitors the general hygienes of hands and feet. Foot and Hand Carers will work independently, often referring to foot specialists and general practitioners should problems arise. Foot and Hand Carers will provide "home-based" or domiciliary care in regional and remote areas which cannot support full-time specialist care. Towns that currently rely on specialist care visits every six to eight weeks could have resident Foot and Hand Carers working on a daily basis.

Pedicurists, manicurists and podiatrists are often clinic or salon based. Foot and Hand Carers will have great flexibility, which will provide opportunities in both salon, clinic and domiciliary environments. Pedicurists and manicurists provide for the cosmetic appearance of hands and feet, whereas Foot and Hand Carers will provide a service for older clients who tend to be more housebound and who require more detailed procedures.

	At this stage, I would like to make it very clear that Foot and Hand Carers are not Podiatrists and should only be seen as carers that maintain and monitor the hygiene of hands and feet. Foot and Hand Carers do not diagnose, they simply maintain foot and hand health.