What Causes Swelling of the Feet and Ankles? 

Swelling of the feet, also known as edema, can be caused by a variety of things. In seniors, lack of activity can make this problem worse as the muscles and vessels in the feet aren’t stimulated like they used to be. 
It’s a good idea to try and figure out the cause of your elderly loved one’s edema. If it’s an easy fix, then great! If not, there are still things you can do to make them feel better (including introducing them to the best shoes for swollen feet). 
Here are some of the most common causes of swollen feet in elderly people: 

Dehydration 
Seniors can forget to drink throughout the day, which can contribute to dehydration. This can lead to the body retaining water, which is often stored in the feet (thanks to gravity). 

Bad Circulation  
Often, as we age, the heart begins to pump a little weaker and the valves in our veins don’t work so well to push blood back up to the heart. This can cause blood to pool in the lower legs and feet, causing the puffy swelling. 

Medications 
Some medications can cause edema due to worsening circulation or causing water retention. It’s a good idea to have a look at the potential side effects of any medication your senior loved one is taking. 

Injury 
Swelling is a natural result of injury, due to inflammation in the area. If your older family member has recently turned an ankle or hurt their foot somehow, this could be the cause. 
The swelling will usually be accompanied by redness, pain, and the area feeling hot to the touch. If your elderly person has injured themselves, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to rule out any underlying problems. 

Diseases 
Certain medical conditions can cause swelling in the feet and ankles. If you suspect one of these, a doctor’s visit may be in order. Some common ones include: 

• Kidney disease 
• Liver cirrhosis 
• Heart failure 
• Blood clots in the legs 
• Lymphatic system conditions 

How Do You Reduce Swelling in the Feet? 
In addition to getting a pair of the best shoes for edema, the elderly with swollen feet could benefit from some extra measures to help them get back to feeling their best. 

Here are some ideas to reduce swelling in the feet and its associated pain, which your senior can easily do in between wearing the best shoes for swollen feet: 

Elevate the Legs 
Lifting the legs to a height that’s above the heart can help prevent blood pooling in the lower extremities. Of course, this should be done when lying down for best results. 

Wear Compression Socks 
Compression socks are designed in such a way that they stimulate circulation by subtle squeezing. They can be difficult to get on, though. To save your family member some frustration, have a read through this post to get an idea of how to put them on easily. 

Stay Active 
Keeping those muscles moving and the blood flowing can help foot and ankle swelling. It doesn’t have to be anything extreme – something as simple as doing a bit of gardening can get the body working. 
If your senior doesn’t have a garden or isn’t sure how to get some exercise in, here’s a video explaining some easy exercises to keep muscles strong. 

Stay Hydrated 
Seniors tend to drink too little water during the day. This could be because their thirst “sense” doesn’t tell them when they need hydration anymore, or just because they don’t want to get up during the night. 
Keeping them well-watered during the day can reduce water retention because the body no longer feels deprived! 

Consider a Medication Change 
If your family member’s medication is contributing to their feet swelling, have a chat with their doctor and see if there’s an alternative. 

Foot Soak 
To bring some relief from foot pain and edema, treat your loved one to a foot soak. If they can do it themselves, then it’s something they can have as often as they’d like! 

• Fill a tub with enough warm water to cover the feet 
• Add ½ a cup of Epsom salt 
• Soak feet for 30 minutes to an hour 
• Moisturize feet after soaking!