Estimates are that as many as 20% of seniors suffer from edema, or swelling in their extremities, like hands, feet, and ankles. It’s most common in feet and ankles, and it can affect your parents’ mobility. Personal care at home providers can help your parent do the things they need to do to reduce the risk of edema and reduce the amount of swelling that they experience.
There are a lot of different reasons why seniors get edema. Medical conditions like diabetes can cause swelling in the feet and legs. Arthritis can cause swelling in the joints. Medications can also cause edema. So can poor circulation, and a lack of activity. There are lifestyle changes that can help reduce edema, but many seniors need help to make those changes.
If edema is making it tough for your senior parent to continue living on their own, personal care at home is a great way to help them stay independent.
How Personal Care At Home Can Help
Many of the things that seniors need to do to manage edema require help, like cooking low-sodium meals, soaking their feet and ankles, and wearing loose clothing. Personal care at home can help your parent manage edema by doing things like:
Helping them put on compression socks properly
Compression socks are one of the most important tools for managing edema. They help push fluid out of the legs and back into circulation. The problem is that they can be tight and tricky to put on.
A personal care provider can help your parent slide them on smoothly and make sure they fit correctly without bunching or folding. They can also help take them off at the right time of day. Wearing compression socks the right way can make a big difference in reducing swelling.
Helping them soak their feet
Warm foot soaks can improve circulation and relax tight muscles. A personal care provider can prepare a safe, comfortable foot bath for your parent. They make sure the water is warm but not too hot, help your parent get settled, and stay close by for safety.
After the soak, they can dry the feet completely, especially between the toes, to prevent irritation or infection. This small routine can reduce swelling and give your parent some soothing relief.
Encouraging gentle movement and leg elevation
Light movement helps prevent fluid from building up. A personal care provider can remind your parent to wiggle their toes, stretch their feet, or take short walks around the house if they are able.
They can also help your parent elevate their legs in a safe and comfortable position, such as propping their feet on pillows while sitting or lying down. Keeping the legs raised helps fluid drain and reduces pressure on swollen areas.
Helping them stay hydrated and follow their care plan
Many seniors forget to drink enough water, but good hydration can actually help reduce swelling. A personal care provider can remind your parent to drink water throughout the day and track how much they are drinking.
They can also help them follow dietary guidelines, such as limiting salty foods when recommended by their doctor. If your parent has medications that help control fluid levels, the caregiver can provide reminders at the right time. Sticking to these habits helps keep edema under control.
Checking the skin for changes and reducing irritation
Swelling can make the skin tight, dry, or easily irritated. A personal care provider can check the feet and legs each day for redness, sores, or changes that need attention.
They can apply lotion to keep the skin soft, avoid rubbing swollen areas too hard, and help your parent choose comfortable shoes and socks. Catching small problems early prevents bigger issues like infections or painful cracks.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Personal Care at Home Services in Flemington, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Expert Home Care today at (732) 937-5320.
We provide exceptional live-in home care in New Jersey, including Monroe Township, Edison, New Brunswick, Red Bank, Lakewood, Princeton, Morristown, Flemington, Stockton, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Montclair, Livingston, Summit, and surrounding communities.
We have been providing Home Health Care to New Jersey families since 1985, and have grown to become one of the largest licensed providers of Live-In Home Care in the upper New Jersey area. Our many years of New Jersey home care experience has produced a company that over 8,000 clients have come to rely on confidently, for help.
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