By Arleen Spenceley
Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla.
ZEPHYRHILLS
Amber Thomas Bateman knows that lots of women and men over the age of 55 are happy to have a pedicure.
“Even if they don’t go out much, it makes them feel better about themselves,” she said.
So Bateman, who has been a nail technician for about three years, has started a business that caters to older people in the privacy of their homes: Z-Hills Mobile Mani Pedi.
Bateman, 47, provides manicures, pedicures and other salon services — including nail art, gel manicures and acrylic nails — at clients’ homes in Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel and Dade City. For an additional travel fee, she takes clients in west Pasco. She serves people of all ages, but specializes in clients who are over 55.
“As you get older, you can’t reach your feet,” Bateman said. “It is very hard to take good care of your feet when you can’t reach them.”
But taking care of your feet is important, she said.
Toenails that aren’t clipped can impair mobility. Feet should be clean to prevent odor and fungus. Bateman examines her clients’ hands and feet and confidentially considers each client’s health history and whether his or her diagnoses or medications might affect foot or hand health. People who have diabetes, for instance, have to be extra careful, she said.
“You have to pay particular attention to your feet when you’re a diabetic,” she said. “You cannot have any infections, any cuts, any bruises.”
Foot care can prevent them, Bateman said. And she says there are advantages to receiving foot and hand care at home.
“Older men can be very embarrassed to show their feet in a salon,” she said.
Other people are homebound or otherwise immobile.
Bateman brings them the salon experience.
“With the right attention to their nails, (clients) can show off their feet again,” Bateman said. “Even if they don’t go out much, it makes them feel better about themselves.”
For information about Z-Hills Mobile Mani Pedi: z-hillsmani cure.com; (813) 701-7222.
