CANORA - Since November 2022, JoAnne (Cymbalisty) Prokopchuk, RN, GNC, FCN, has been operating a Canora-based business called Soothing Soles Foot Care. Even though foot problems are often associated with the elderly, Prokopchuk has seen evidence that is simply not the case.
“My youngest client is 14 years old and my most senior client is 94.”
She was raised near Donwell, attended school there for seven years and then completed high school in Canora.
“I always loved to dance and sing, and was always intrigued by space; I still am today.”
Prokopchuk had an aunt, Helen Tomochko from Kamsack, who was a nurse, and inspired her to pursue a nursing career.
“Another person who really impacted my decision and to support me to carry on when I wanted to give up was Ernie Gabora, my grade-school teacher in Donwell.
“I was a student volunteer at the Canora Union Hospital and we were called ‘candy stripers.’ I really enjoyed those days and have some very vivid memories from that experience. Some days were sad and on other days our little visit to someone alone that day, somehow made a difference.
“When I graduated high school, opportunities for careers were rather limited for females and most girls either became nurses, teachers or lab technicians.”
Prior to returning to Canora, Prokopchuk accumulated a wide range of nursing experience, “from being a general staff nurse in a hospital setting to having head nurse positions on a pediatric unit, medical unit and in a long-term care nursing home. I was an educator for a Hospice Centre, Director of Care in a Long Term Care Nursing Home and then joined a team of nurse consultants that would oversee nursing homes to support and assist them in meeting the standards set by the Ministry of Health.”
The idea of starting her own foot care business came to Prokopchuk about a year after retiring from nursing, and yet not wanting to go back into front line nursing duty.
“I decided to check into the possibilities and how this may be a service I could offer,” she said. “The majority of my nursing years was working with the vulnerable elderly, mostly in long-term care.”
Prokopchuk offers a wide range of services through her mobile business.
“Soothing Soles Foot Care is a mobile service serving seniors in their home/long term care/retirement. Clients include those with diabetes, arthritis, those visually impaired, ill or injured.”
Nursing Services and Treatment provided include:
• focus assessment of feet and lower legs;
• sensory testing performed to assess damage to nerves of the feet;
• trim and file thickened, hard or fungal toenails;
• reduction of calluses and corns;
• a new option for painless reduction and treatment of ingrown toenails; and
• education and referrals as necessary.
Most people are born with healthy feet, but Prokopchuk said foot care is very important to a person’s overall health.
“Three out of four people develop serious foot problems as they age, putting their independence and well-being at risk.”
Healthy feet contribute to both a person’s safety and health.
“Feet that are healthy and pain free help you keep your balance,” said Prokopchuk. “Good balance can prevent falls which is a major cause of injury and hospitalization; some resulting in disability or death.
“Healthy feet also allow you to stay active. When your feet are too sore to walk, you lose strength and become at greater risk for falls. Walking is the perfect exercise to keep your weight down, prevent blood clots and keep your bones and muscles strong.
“Keeping an eye on your feet can even give you an early warning about serious health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, nerve damage and poor blood circulation.”
Prokopchuk said she has seen real world examples of how her services can improve a person’s health.
‘I have been able to provide a new innovative approach to correction of ingrown toenails and very involuted toenails, both of which are painful and have risks associated if not cared for.
“I have recognized early circulatory risks in a client and referred to them to see their physician to ensure any consequential risk factors are investigated to prevent other complications up to and including amputation.”
Making connections with people and providing a much-needed service are among the main reasons why Prokopchuk enjoys her work.
“I also enjoy informing and educating my clients about good foot health, to be able to identify any potential risks and refer them to see their doctor when a complication is outside the scope of my RN practice. It is also about being a visitor in what can be long day for those who live alone.”
For the foreseeable future, Prokopchuk hopes to see her business grow and reach as many people as possible who are in need of the help she can provide.
“I will be looking at the possibility of an education/information evening at our public library in the future.”
Another of her goals is to support the Advanced Foot Care Nurses of Saskatchewan in advocating for extended health plan coverage of their services for Saskatchewan residents by encouraging the public to sign a petition.
“We believe increased financial coverage by insurance plans will make this essential service more accessible to all,” said Prokopchuk. “Many other provinces have this coverage and we believe Saskatchewan residents deserve it as well. We believe this service should be added to the list of providers commonly available through extended insurance plans such as massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, podiatrists and so on.”
For more information, phone JoAnne (Cymbalisty) Prokopchuk, RN, GNC, FCN at 306-562-7132.
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