Sisters woman offers often-overlooked care for feet

Marguerite (Maggie) Saslow, R.N., M.S.N. isn't a registered nurse that you might find in a hospital, doctors office or health care facility.

Saslow is the founder of Sundance Footcare and provides preventive, compassionate footcare services in the comfort of your home.

"I have many clients in Sisters and I will go out as far as Madras," Saslow said. "I drive on an average of 1,500 to 2,000 miles a month providing in-home footcare services for the Central Oregon community."

Saslow is a licensed registered nurse with an additional masters in the science of nursing.

"I've been an RN since 1973 when I lived in Portland, when I had a career in counseling and mental health. Then during the last years of my parents' lives, I provided them with footcare. It became my new path with a heart-driven passion," she said.

Saslow remembers going on a camping trip with her school to Camp Sherman in Sisters when she was a young girl back in the 1950s. She fell in love with the area and finally moved to the outskirts of Sisters in 2007.

"What's most gratifying about my career is that you really get to know your clients on a regular basis. I witness health issues they may have and enjoy hearing their stories," Saslow said.

Saslow learned from her clients, their spouses, and families that they are hungry for information that will help them understand and deal with their foot issues. She spends time during her in-home visits educating her clients about footcare while she provides direct, hands-on service.

"There's so much about feet that people don't understand. Most people take their feet for granted. However, as you age, your feet age and change right along with the rest of you," she said. "Injury and disease can compromise and permanently damage healthy feet."

Saslow's client Eleanor, of Sisters, feels very lucky to be rid of her foot problem.

"She helped me so much. It's a very uncomfortable foot condition I had. She fixed it for me. She has come back to my home several times to check my feet, and we socialize while she visits."

"We are social beings and our feet get us to where we are going. Our feet keep us tied in to the community," says Saslow. "Taking care of your feet can help with balance and mobility, improving independence and quality of life."

Saslow has been seeing a client named Carol and her husband for many years in Sisters.

"She became a very good friend to me, besides helping our feet," said Carol. "She came into our home and we would talk about everything. We became good friends and had a lot in common. She helped my husband so much because he couldn't get out of bed and I had to do everything for him. She taught me ways to help my ill husband with his

feet."

Saslow's in-home footcare services are for diabetics, home-bound elders and anyone who needs help with their feet.

Visit Marguerite (Maggie) Saslow, R.N., M.S.N.'s website for any inquires at www.sundancefootcare.com.