What should you know about swollen legs and hands in the elderly?

Long periods of sitting, limited walking, or keeping the hands and legs down can encourage fluid to collect. Some medicines and conditions affecting the heart, kidneys, liver, veins, or lymph flow can also contribute. Rheumatoid Arthritis may cause swollen, stiff, tender joints, while a Distal Radius Fracture can leave one hand swollen after a fall. Look for symmetry, skin warmth, redness, breathlessness, changes in urination, and a sudden change from the person's usual pattern. A new symptom deserves context rather than being attributed to age alone.

Arrange a medication and health review, and do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. Support gentle walking or ankle and finger movement if safe, change position regularly, and elevate swollen limbs while resting. Remove tight rings and check the skin daily for pressure marks, cracks, blisters, or wounds. Keep a simple record of onset, progression, weight change, pain, fever, and breathlessness. Avoid tight compression unless a clinician has checked circulation and recommended the right type.

Seek urgent help for new breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, fainting, a blue or cold limb, severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, or fever with a hot swollen area. Prompt medical review is appropriate when swelling appears suddenly, is much greater on one side, reduces walking or hand use, or persists despite position changes. A clinician can review medicines and examine circulation, joints, skin, and general health.

Could a medicine or health condition be causing this change? Should circulation, kidney, heart, or liver function be checked? What movement and elevation plan is suitable? How can we protect fragile skin?