Many seniors experience fluid retention, medically called edema. While occasional swelling may be harmless, persistent or severe edema can signal underlying health issues that require attention. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and home care strategies helps caregivers support older adults effectively.
How Common is Edema in Seniors?
Fluid retention is surprisingly common among older adults. Research shows that about 19–20% of seniors in the U.S. experience edema. Women are more likely to develop edema than men, and certain conditions—such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease—increase the risk.
Edema occurs when fluid leaks from blood vessels and accumulates in the body’s tissues, most commonly in the feet, ankles, and legs, but it can affect the arms, abdomen, or even the lungs.
What are Symptoms of Edema?
As a caregiver, noticing the subtle signs of fluid retention in your loved one can make a big difference in their comfort and health. Edema often shows up in ways you can see and feel, and paying attention to these changes helps you respond quickly.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or arms: You may notice their feet or ankles looking puffier than usual, or their hands and arms appearing fuller. Sometimes the swelling worsens by the end of the day or after long periods of sitting.
- Changes in the skin: The skin over swollen areas can appear stretched, shiny, or tight, and may feel firmer to the touch. Occasionally, it may have a slightly reddish or different tone, signaling the need for closer observation.
- Heaviness or discomfort: Your loved one might describe a feeling of heaviness or tightness in their legs or arms, making movement or standing for long periods tiring. Listening to these cues is just as important as noticing visible swelling.
- Abdominal or facial puffiness: Edema isn’t always obvious in the limbs. Sometimes it shows up as a slightly larger belly or mild puffiness around the eyes and face, which could point to heart or kidney concerns.
- Pitting edema: A gentle press on the swollen area might leave a temporary dimple or indentation. This is a clear sign of fluid buildup and can help you know when it’s time to contact a healthcare professional.
What Causes Edema in the Elderly?
Edema in the elderly can arise from a variety of factors. Here’s a closer look:
1. Reduced Circulation
Edema is caused by a range of factors, like age-related circulatory problems. The elderly are at risk for reduced circulation, a condition that develops with advancing age. The aging body has a harder time pumping fluids back to the heart, which causes swelling.
2. Heart Failure
Blood backs up in the legs, ankles, and feet due to heart failure. The resulting edema is caused by the inability of the heart’s lower chambers to pump blood efficiently. Fluid can also build up in the belly or lungs. Fluid retention in the lungs is known as pulmonary edema.
3. Kidney Disease
Kidneys damaged by disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, are no longer able to efficiently filter fluids and electrolytes, which causes fluid retention. When edema is caused by kidney disease, the senior is more likely to develop swelling around the eyes and legs.
4. Liver Damage
Chronic liver damage can be caused by alcohol abuse, viral infections, or fatty liver disease. These conditions cause inflammation of the liver tissue, which can lead to cirrhosis. When cirrhosis of the liver occurs, fluid builds up in the older adult’s stomach area and legs.
5. Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition that prevents the veins in the legs from efficiently sending blood back to the heart. The condition damages the one-way valves in the legs, which keep blood flowing in one direction. Blood thereby pools in the leg veins, causing swelling.
6. Deep Vein Thrombosis
When a blood clot forms in a deep vein in the leg or thigh, deep vein thrombosis occurs. The affected senior experiences sudden swelling in one leg and pain in the calf muscle. These blood clots are dangerous, and the senior should receive urgent medical care.
7. Lymphedema
Lymphedema is caused by numerous factors, such as surgery to remove lymph nodes, trauma that damages lymphatic vessels, or radiation therapy for cancer treatments. When the aging body’s lymphatic system is damaged, it fails to drain well and leads to abnormal swelling.
8. Medications
Certain medications cause side effects that contribute to swelling in the body. The drugs responsible for edema include those used to treat high blood pressure and diabetes. Medicines that treat nerve pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogen, and steroid medicines also cause edema.
9. Lack of Protein
Seniors who neglect to consume sufficient amounts of protein in their diet are at risk for edema. The blood protein levels and fluid balance are affected by low protein levels, resulting in the loss of the protein’s ability to maintain fluid balance and keep fluid inside the blood vessels.
How is Edema Treated?
Mild edema may be resolved on its own. However, caregivers can ease the senior’s swelling by providing them with compression garments, which push fluids back into the lymphatic system and improve blood flow. Advise the senior to raise their affected arm or leg above the heart, which also helps.
If medication side effects are responsible for the edema, caregivers should take the senior to a doctor for drug adjustments. In severe cases of edema, the physician may prescribe diuretics (water pills), which are medicines that help the body eliminate excess fluid through urine.
How Senior Home Care Can Help
For families juggling busy schedules, caring for a senior with edema can feel overwhelming. That’s where professional caregivers step in, providing compassionate support tailored to your loved one’s needs. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we offer practical and caring assistance, including:
- Medication reminders to help your loved one take diuretics or other prescriptions on time, reducing stress and supporting their health.
- Nutritious meal preparation, focusing on protein-rich foods and balanced meals that help manage fluid retention and overall wellness.
- Assistance with mobility, doctor visits, and everyday tasks, so seniors can stay active, safe, and comfortable in their own home.
- Flexible care options, from short-term respite and overnight care to post-surgical support, giving families the help they need when they need it most.
Our home caregivers are licensed, bonded, and insured, and every care plan is personalized and updated as your loved one’s needs change. With our support, seniors can feel cared for, families can feel supported, and everyday life becomes more manageable for everyone.
Conclusion
Edema is a common challenge for seniors, but with proper care and monitoring, it can be managed effectively. Families in Westlake, Lakewood, and Cleveland, Ohio can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide professional support, nutritious meals, medication reminders, and personalized attention for seniors living with fluid retention.
Schedule a free in-home consultation today and discover how compassionate care can improve your loved one’s comfort, mobility, and overall well-being. Call 440-517-4623
