We will be driving then flying for several hours. My mom is 80 and her legs retain water. I hear compression socks helps. Her legs are naturally thick so I need very wide socks. Where can I find them?
Most Medical Supply stores will have them If she goes to a Podiatrist they might also have them or they could be ordered. Her PCP could also order them as well. As a matter of fact you might want to discuss the trip with the doctor to 1) determine if there are any medications she could take to help relieve the water retention particularly for the flight. 2) if there might be a concern for developing DVT. (deep vein thrombosis, a potentially fatal condition)
Why are you taking her on such a long trip? If she retains water, sitting for several hours will not be good. Giving her a diarectic will mean several bathroom stops. Do you know the cause of the swelling? Diabetes, Congestive heart failure?
When you buy compression socks the size is determined by the calf measurement at the thickest part. There are several types and can be bought on the internet which is the cheapest way to go. Those sold in stores run $20 a pair and more. There are ones with feet in them, others with the toes cut out and others that go to the ankle. They are very hard to get on so she will need help. My nephew opted for the ones with zippers. I would check with a doctor to see what is best. I was told by the Medical Supply Store that they are not covered by Medicare or in my State Medicaid.
PS, my nephew says that wearing his socks makes him go a lot.
JoAnn29 has an excellent point: if the long trip must take place, have your mom wear adult diapers for both the car and plane portions of the trip. At many points during the journey, it will be absolutely impossible for her to visit the bathroom no matter how urgently she needs one. If she would be embarrassed and protests wearing such an item, call them “travel underwear”.
You might want to order 2-3 pairs of shoes to try for size and measure foot/leg prior to ordering so they can best advise what size to get as I'm guessing these are costly and with the socks, no returns after having been on someone....
Good luck. My mother hasn't had a pair of shoes on her feet in two years. They're like two meatloaves, and nothing, even size EEEEEE width, would fit her.
She, too, has enormous calves, and I never found compression socks we could get on her. (They're very painful on really swollen legs and impossible to get on.) She wears hospital socks 24/7 and is in a wheelchair, so it doesn't matter too much.
My Mom has lymphderma she likes Velcro sneakers from this link: https://www.silverts.com/antimicrobial-protection-extra-wide-shoes-for-women?___store=english&size=7108&color=6535&cur=usd&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrbiP9afz7gIVBj6tBh2B9AMHEAQYBSABEgLINPD_BwE
My sister has the same problem (which is one of the reasons why she doesn't travel). She uses compression wraps instead of stockings because the tension can be adjusted at various points around the calf and ankle, and they are easier (and less painful) to put on.
Compression leg wraps are typically sold for those with lymphedema vs simple edema, but the principle is the same.
My aunt has huge calves and very wide feet. I have to buy her men's size socks but they work. Look at Amazon, they also carry compression items like thigh and knee high compression hose.
Medical supply companies may have her size. Since she has problems with edema (fluid retention in her legs), please consider adding other options to keep her from developing blood clots in her legs. If she can walk, have her do so frequently. If she can not walk, have her pump her feet up and down several times every hour. If she can get an aisle seat on the plane, she may be able to bend and straighten her legs as well. With edema, her doctor probably has her taking diuretics. It is easiest to take them early in the morning and allow her to pee the extra fluid off before getting on with the day. The problem is that most people complain of having a dry mouth or feeling thirsty. Allow her to suck on hard candy or chew gum to create moisture in her mouth without added water. People with impaired cognition or swallowing tend to do better with glycerin swabs for "dry mouth."
There are specialty medical supply stores and catalogs that sell a variety of adaptive devices and articles of clothing. As others have said, you might do better with wraps than with compression stockings. Compression stockings can be torture even for less severe conditions and getting them on and off can require a team of Strongmen.
I'd google Wide compression shoes and socks and see what comes up. Also might give men's sizing a try....medical supply places? Also look for an aid of some sort to get those babies on...it can be quite the work out. Might need to go with slippers. ANd remember: don't take your shoes off when in the air...feet swell and you might not be able to get them back on again! Would also suggest checking with airline to have a meet and assist set up so you can have a cart or wheelchair arranged for and see what you can do to assure you get a bulk head seat so she has less distance to walk once on board.
My DH buys his compression 'dress socks' online. I don't know the company, but he found them after very little searching. They are snug w/o being miserably tight. If you buys men's sizes, you'll find them easier to get on.
He puts them on first thing in the am and doesn't take them off until bedtime. He travels a lot and needs to have them for the inevitable swelling that occurs.
He is 6'5" tall and still has to get up and walk the length of the plane once or twice on long flights, to avoid DVT.
Honestly, a first class seat is his best friend. He can get up as much as he wants and he comes home a much happy camper. Trips over 3 hrs--we try to get him upgraded. I am a munchkin at 5'2" and can fit anywhere, although my time in first class sure makes me appreciate how much better I feel upon landing.
If you opt to get mom in shoes--DO NOT take them off during the flight. You'll never get them back on. Just loosen the velcro or laces.
Dh doesn't take water pills (yet!) and so that's not a problem. but with only 3 lavs on most planes, you will get some nasty looks from fellow passengers if you are spending a lot of time in there--I'd suggest a depends with a pad in it for emergencies.
Do you absolutely HAVE to take mom on this trip? If so, I wish you luck.
In my hometown one of the pharmacies does fittings for compression hose. I think that would be your best bet, as they can determine what degree of compression would be best for your Mum.
Personally I love Sockwell brand compression knee high socks. I wear them when I have to be on my feet all day or sit all day. I buy the wide calf ones and they fit me well. But your Mum may need full leg hose and would need to be fitted professionally.
Imho, I have used Comfort Care Medical when I did require compression stockings once and had luck finding them online. Their phone number is 888-358-1580.
However, why are you insisting on taking her on such a long trip? DVT could occur if you're not very careful with your mother and her legs.
Call Lymphodema Products (on web site - LymphodemaProducts.com) - they will help you. Also get help from doctor as to what kind, degree of compression, etc. There are lots of sites out there and you can easily get what you need. Look under Compression Socks on the internet.
For my 83 yr. old mama we found the compression socks were impossible to put on. The doctor told us to wrap her legs with ace compression bandages. They work well and can be easily put on to the compression needed. You can wrap her feet too. Make sure to call ahead and set up services with the airport to have her met with a wheelchair and disabled services. Travel protective under ware with extra padding is a must too. Keeping her moving her legs as much as possible on the flight. God watch over you both on your trip.
Look up "bariatric compression socks" online. There are loads of suppliers.
And, when you come to think about it, many if not most users of compression hosiery are going to have pretty wide feet and legs! I'm sure you'll find something to suit her. Will you be okay helping her get them on?
I also had to get my mother some compression socks.......this company, Lemonhero is a USA based company and you can go to their site for how to order her size. I wish you luck in this matter.
Oh, I forgot....the ones I got my mother have a zipper which makes it easier to handle and they even have extra covering on the inside so the zipper will NOT catch their skin. Lemonhero is the company
Ames Walker has an online site and offers wide support hose/socks. I've used their house brand support socks when I was on my feet much of the day and been satisfied. https://www.ameswalker.com
The zippered ones mentioned by wolflover sound like a great idea though...
You might want to dig around online a bit to see what compression strength is recommended, or ask her physician.
Try BrightLife Direct. They are a mail order company in Washington DC. Your mom might need Pharoah wraps or Justafit wraps. My husband has to wear them for several years and BrightLife had the best prices for these and compression hosiery
If she goes to a Podiatrist they might also have them or they could be ordered.
Her PCP could also order them as well.
As a matter of fact you might want to discuss the trip with the doctor to 1) determine if there are any medications she could take to help relieve the water retention particularly for the flight. 2) if there might be a concern for developing DVT. (deep vein thrombosis, a potentially fatal condition)
When you buy compression socks the size is determined by the calf measurement at the thickest part. There are several types and can be bought on the internet which is the cheapest way to go. Those sold in stores run $20 a pair and more. There are ones with feet in them, others with the toes cut out and others that go to the ankle. They are very hard to get on so she will need help. My nephew opted for the ones with zippers. I would check with a doctor to see what is best. I was told by the Medical Supply Store that they are not covered by Medicare or in my State Medicaid.
PS, my nephew says that wearing his socks makes him go a lot.
She, too, has enormous calves, and I never found compression socks we could get on her. (They're very painful on really swollen legs and impossible to get on.) She wears hospital socks 24/7 and is in a wheelchair, so it doesn't matter too much.
Compression leg wraps are typically sold for those with lymphedema vs simple edema, but the principle is the same.
Look at Amazon, they also carry compression items like thigh and knee high compression hose.
He puts them on first thing in the am and doesn't take them off until bedtime. He travels a lot and needs to have them for the inevitable swelling that occurs.
He is 6'5" tall and still has to get up and walk the length of the plane once or twice on long flights, to avoid DVT.
Honestly, a first class seat is his best friend. He can get up as much as he wants and he comes home a much happy camper. Trips over 3 hrs--we try to get him upgraded. I am a munchkin at 5'2" and can fit anywhere, although my time in first class sure makes me appreciate how much better I feel upon landing.
If you opt to get mom in shoes--DO NOT take them off during the flight. You'll never get them back on. Just loosen the velcro or laces.
Dh doesn't take water pills (yet!) and so that's not a problem. but with only 3 lavs on most planes, you will get some nasty looks from fellow passengers if you are spending a lot of time in there--I'd suggest a depends with a pad in it for emergencies.
Do you absolutely HAVE to take mom on this trip? If so, I wish you luck.
Could you explain about compression shoes?
She has bone on bone on her ankles and the cortisone injection do not work. She is eighty three and cannot have any more surgery.
Thank you form balmy Ontario Canada.
Personally I love Sockwell brand compression knee high socks. I wear them when I have to be on my feet all day or sit all day. I buy the wide calf ones and they fit me well. But your Mum may need full leg hose and would need to be fitted professionally.
However, why are you insisting on taking her on such a long trip? DVT could occur if you're not very careful with your mother and her legs.
And, when you come to think about it, many if not most users of compression hosiery are going to have pretty wide feet and legs! I'm sure you'll find something to suit her. Will you be okay helping her get them on?
The zippered ones mentioned by wolflover sound like a great idea though...
You might want to dig around online a bit to see what compression strength is recommended, or ask her physician.