Five Questions with Mindful Feet founder Meghan McRae

Article by Jason Setnyk | Submitted Photo

Cornwall, Ontario – In today’s fast-paced world, caring for our feet often takes a backseat in our self-care routines. However, our feet are the foundation that supports our bodies, and neglecting their health can lead to various problems. That’s where Meghan McRae, Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and Foot Care Nurse, steps in as an entrepreneur and founder of Mindful Feet.

Meghan McRae is a dedicated healthcare professional and a Nurse Ambassador at the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses. With her extensive knowledge and experience in foot care, she has established Mindful Feet, a specialized foot care service that caters to individuals with advanced and diabetic foot care needs.

One of Meghan’s primary goals is to empower her clients by providing personalized foot care solutions that promote optimal health and wellness for longevity. She understands that each person has unique foot care requirements and is committed to meeting those needs with care and expertise.

Mindful Feet offers a range of services, both in-home and clinical settings, to ensure accessibility and convenience for clients. Here are some of the services provided by Meghan: toenail care, preventative diabetic foot care, ingrown toenail prevention, trimming, and bracing; also, corn, callus, and wart removals; and fungal toenail thickness reduction.

Mindful Feet is transforming foot care in Cornwall and areas. Mindful Feet goes beyond traditional foot care services by offering holistic nursing foot care solutions to seniors and individuals experiencing lower limb health complications related to medical illnesses. Meghan’s compassionate approach and expertise ensure that clients receive comprehensive care for their specific needs.

Five Questions with The Seeker

1- What inspired you to start Mindful Feet, and how did you get the idea for a foot care nursing company?

“The idiomatic phrase “out of sight, out of mind” does not resonate with me, as I am the founder of Mindful Feet, a foot care nursing company. I have been a Registered Practical Nurse since 2014, and my journey in nursing began with tending to seniors in residential long-term care. I want to bring attention to the fact that foot care is unregulated, which creates a gap within the system and leads to healthcare inequities. A healthcare inequity includes but is not limited to nursing staff performing foot care duties with unsterile nail clippers, which may grow microorganisms and transfer through broken skin, contributing to avoidable healthcare-acquired infections, non-healing wounds, amputations, and mortality.”

2 – Can you tell us about some of the most common foot care issues you see among seniors and individuals with lower limb health complications?

“As we age, our feet undergo anatomical and physiological changes. Difficulties arise in bending over to see and touch our toes, and years of foot injuries and wearing ill-fitting footwear take their toll. Neglected corns and calluses can lead to ulcers, while toenails may become curved, increasing the risk of ingrown toenails. Thickened, discolored, or detached nails are also common.

Preventative care is crucial for individuals with medical conditions. Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia can impair our ability to safely care for our feet. Diabetes, which often accompanies old age, can cause nerve damage, resulting in a lack of sensation and awareness of foot injuries. Establishing a daily habit of checking our feet becomes essential.

Comfort measures play a significant role in managing foot pain. It’s important to note that pain should not be considered a normal part of aging. Regular foot care, recommended every 4-8 weeks or as needed, can provide relief and alleviate suffering for up to 80% of residents in nursing homes.

Nursing homes have specific practice standards to uphold. While residents typically manage their own foot care until they are unable to do so, registered nursing staff must ensure appropriate referrals for foot care services when necessary. It is essential that nursing staff receive proper training and adhere to up-to-date policies and procedures before performing foot care services.”

3 – Could you talk about how you used the grant award of $4,500 to offset half the cost of an autoclave and how that has impacted your business?

“I received the grant award of $4,500 from the Starter Company Plus program that I applied for through the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. With the total funds I received, I was able to cover half the expense of an autoclave. This was a significant help in my journey as a foot care nurse specializing in medical device reprocessing, as it is a costly step. Having sufficient funds made it much easier for my business, Mindful Feet, to follow best practice guidelines and standards for the safe reprocessing of reusable medical devices right off the bat.”

4 – Can you speak to the importance of foot care for overall health and wellbeing and how Mindful Feet helps individuals in the community achieve that?

“Early detection of foot complications allows for treating and preventing serious health issues. Mindful Feet stands as an advocate to empower informed choices and protect the public from harm through the delivery of foot care nursing, which includes, but is not limited to, assessments, toenail care, corn, callus and wart removals, ingrown toenail prevention, trimming, filing and nail bracing, fungal toenail thickness reduction, preventative diabetic foot care, health teachings, education, and support. Mindful Feet is a resource for clients to learn in which ways they may improve and maintain their desired or current level of mobility, comfort, and independence through a holistic approach when developing care plans.”

5 – What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in foot care nursing?

“I suggest that nurses considering a career in foot care should complete multiple courses. One course alone is not sufficient to start an independent practice. It takes multiple courses to reveal what the others failed to include, posing a health and safety threat to both the client and nurse. I highly recommend nurses interested in foot care to join the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses (CAFCN). I am an active member and volunteer on the conference committee. I attended the CAFCN conference in Winnipeg towards the end of May.”

Call Mindful Feet at 613-362-0272 for more information.