Okay, so swelling in his feet and ankles could be a symptom of Congestive Heart Failure. Is he on a diuretic? Can you call the doctor and get advice? He may need increased dosage of diuretic if he's already on it.
The problem is that he may also have fluid build up in his lungs.
This might a 911-worthy situation. Just me, but I would let the EMTs check him out and decide if he needs transport. That's what they're there for!
Sonnyb, as Barb had mentioned above, swollen feet and ankles could be related to the heart. I know my cardiologist [heart doctor] always checks my ankles.
One morning my Dad had really bad swollen ankles and a swollen knee. His caregiver noticed it and then noticed my Dad had worn his socks to bed [this was winter] but the elastic around the top of the sock was cutting into the circulation.
Do you have any urgent care clinics in your area? If yes, take Dad there to have him checked.
Ask your dr to order home health and PT. They will watch the edema, the PT will get him up and walking more. Did he complete the pt after his surgery? He might benefit from compression hose but they have to be put on before he gets up in the morning and taken off after he goes to bed. They are difficult to put on but really help some people. My dad wore them daily. His problem was his albumin was off and the veins would seep. My mom had CHF but didn't wear them but she was a good walker and took many trips to the bathroom each day and night. The rule is when he is sitting the feet must go up. If he's sitting with legs crossed bad news. Elders sometimes don't want to walk because they are afraid they will fall, so they sit. Does he use a walker? They don't want to drink enough water so they don't have to go to the bathroom, so they sit. They start eating their meals in their chairs, so they sit. They get lift chairs and get weaker and weaker and so they sit. They are comfortable when they sit, so they sit. There are valves in the legs that help the blood to circulate but the legs need to be exercised. When you get PT to come to his house have them show you how far he should walk each day. Make him a path in the house where he walks so many laps each day. My aunts house is designed so that it makes a big circle. If she can't go outdoors to walk she walks the circle. She uses a cane and has never had a broken bone but uses it to help with balance. She does have osteopenia so one could be in her future. She has therapy several times a year. I tell home health she is having balance issues. The PT therapist comes and evaluates her and they do a few weeks of therapy. It keeps her going. The bicycle foot pedal device is also good. He can sit and pedal it and it helps build his strength. If you can get home health going they can assist with sorting his meds and will take his vitals each week. They can draw blood when necessary. This helps keep him out of ER and drs offices but you have to have a dr who has that same goal in mind and an elder who cooperates. Also watch his sodium/salt intake.
Thank you ,he does sit a lot as he isn't mobile since replacement hip after a fall in Dec he does use a walker in house,doesn't go out ,doesn't drink enough fluids ,and doesn't like bein advised to do more !
Is this a sudden occurrence? I would take him to the ER to have this checked out if it is sudden onset.
The problem is that he may also have fluid build up in his lungs.
This might a 911-worthy situation. Just me, but I would let the EMTs check him out and decide if he needs transport. That's what they're there for!
So, can you get dad up and walking today?
One morning my Dad had really bad swollen ankles and a swollen knee. His caregiver noticed it and then noticed my Dad had worn his socks to bed [this was winter] but the elastic around the top of the sock was cutting into the circulation.
Do you have any urgent care clinics in your area? If yes, take Dad there to have him checked.