Any experience with compression socks for a diabetic elder?

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wolflover451 Asked January 2021

Any experience with compression socks for a diabetic elder?

My mother is 93, diabetic and just recently noticed small blister type bumps on legs. Legs are swollen because because won't drink enough water, won't keep legs elevated, quit doing small exercises for legs to keep groin muscles loose (she complains it didn't help but it sure helped when she was doing them in therapy), and doesn't do much but sit all day. She was told by foot doctor she needs to wear compression socks to help with the swelling, so they have to be put on in the morning and then taken off at night. Of course I will end up having to do that now too. My brothers lives 1/2 hour away and only visits 2 times a month so no need to ask him to do anything. Doesn't much volunteer for anything else. I provide mom extra food, get mail/paper in every day, take to all appts, make all calls, pay all bills, etc. now to just add one more thing for 2 times a day. I am getting so tired. She has to be careful if she would take a diarectic for the water retention since she doesn't drink much I don't want her to become dehydrated. Sorry for venting but Has anyone had any issues or good results with compression socks? thanks

Diabetes Family Caregiver Senior Health

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score 1 · Answer 1

I just wanted to let people know that I finally got the pair of zippered compression socks from China. they actually sat at my local facility longer than it took to come from China. They are actually pretty nice, but it definitely would be easier for 2 people to zip them up (one to hold them close, the other to zip), but my mother doesn't have strength in her hands but I manage to get them up. I did order the second pair from the place here in US and hope to get them soon. Of course now my mom says "they make my legs itch"........well so did the ones from the doctor (which were just a temporary thing). I am so glad that I found this agingcare place, it helped alot when my dad started with dementia. And now I find looking at it again. thanks

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score 0 · Answer 2

"her hips hurt when tilted back, or her back hurts"

I personally do not like recliners. Maybe because I am 5 ft tall and I just don't seem to fit in them right. Hard to put back down if the legs are needed to do it. The Lazyboy handle is too far down for me. I have to lean way over to get to it. Maybe Mom would be better with a nice comfortable chair with an ottoman. Ask her doctor, but I don't think their legs have to be elevated all the time.

Me, I am partial to my love seat. Pillows behind me to sit up and a place to keep my legs up. Easy to get on and off. Have already told my girls that I do not want a recliner when I go to an AL. Just my little old loveseat.

For those who to have Lazyboy or recliners with the side handle, there is an extention for them. I purchased one for Mom after it was recommended by homecare after her back procedure.

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score 2 · Answer 3

Wolf, I can recall so well the months leading up to "if we do this, we risk A. But if we dont do it, we risk B" with my mom.

I suddenly realized that NOTHING was actually going to make her better and that all of these meds and treatments had a downside to them.

We got ONE doc (a geriatritian) and lost ALL of the specialists and most of the meds except for BP and anxiety.

My mother was a LOT better off with fewer meds and fewer specialists.

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score 0 · Answer 4

thanks for answering, and as far telling my mother to keep her legs up is like talking to a wall. she does it for part of a day and expects miracles to happen, or her hips hurt when tilted back, or her back hurts......but never continues on. and I refuse to stay up there 24/7 because I would end up in hospital. we get labs done every 4 months and due to go back next month for the labs and then see the regular doctor in March. She went to a regular endo dr but then he left and he said she could see regular doctor so that is what mom chose to do instead of seeing someone new. I can't win.......I already put the socks on one time and the face she made.....I said did I hurt you and she didn't really answer. I said well I am not gonna sugar talk you like the girl that gives you bath. it is what it is and we will have to do our best.

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score 2 · Answer 5

She needs to see her doctor, as the others have said, to determine the cause of the edema. If it's caused by congestive heart failure, drinking more water isn't the answer and in fact can be detrimental.

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she did see her foot doctor and she is the one recommending the compression because she (the doctor) also deals with the blisters/open wounds, etc in diabetics. I don't have to worry about my mother drinking more water because she won't. she drinks 2 cups coffee all day, maybe a small ginger ale and a half glass orange juice. She has a regular dr appt in March but we have to be careful of using anything to take water off (water pill) due to kidney issues that could arise. and at 93, I doubt she will do anything about congestive heart failure, especially if it means taking another pill.

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score 2 · Answer 6

Before you go down the compression socks route, I would have her seen by whatever doc manages her overall health to make sure that the water retention isnt being caused by heart failure.

I understand the feeling of "another thing to look after, another doc appointment to go to".

Perhaps it's time for placement so that the staff can look after all these issues?

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thanks, she has a regular dr appt in March and will ask about the water retention issue. as stated in anothers response, we would have to be careful of any water pills due to any kidney issues, and I know she is not going to go for any other tests that would result in taking more meds. she hates taking pills anyhow (so who doesn't). I am on the verge of indicating that to her IF she starts fussing and complaining about having to wear the socks. the girl that baths my mother said she is still pretty good memory wise, I said well "you just don't know what I go thru sometimes", I can tell that she "might" be starting with some small symptoms of dementia, just by how she stares at me sometimes or whatever. anyhow thanks for your response.

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score 0 · Answer 7

There are all types. There are ones with a full foot. Very hard to put on especially for someone doing it for themselves. Then there are ones that have the toes cut out and then there are ones now with a zipper which is the easiest to put on. My nephew likes the zipper ones. He is overweight and has no problem putting them on.

Go online and you will see what is available. Buying online is cheaper than buying from a pharmacy or a medical supply store. I was told by a Medical Supply store Medicare does not cover them. Measuring around the calf is how you find the correct size.

Make sure Mom keeps her legs up. My nephew told me all he does is pee when he wears his socks. Does she go to an endocrinologist? Congestive heart failure also contributes to swelling in the legs. Kidney function too. Has she had labs lately to see what her numbers are?

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I do have a pair of zippered ones coming, but heavens knows when cause because they are coming from China (which I didn't realize at the time)......so they could get here when the slow boat comes across to the US. I have another company based in US/made in US that is getting back to me. I keep telling her to keep her legs up, but that doesn't work, she does once in awhile but not enough. We go every 4 months for lab work and her kidney function is down a little even though she claims she urinates plenty. but I am not up there 24/7 NOR can I be, due to her having house set at 80 degrees.......so until I can get some kind of socks that "I" can get on her and that will fit her, I am using what the doctor gave us which is just temporary. other than I have no idea then what will happen.......some days I am just so over trying to satisfy everyone that I cry. Thank goodness her numbers are good. thanks for responding.

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Any experience with compression socks for a diabetic elder?

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