First of all, I am sorry if this is a silly question. I just found this site, and since there's no equivalent in my country I have found it very useful. This is my first time as a care giver, and it is only temporary for the summer, it is a huge responsibility, and I just want to be on the safe side. I offered to care for the mother of some very dear friends of mine, since they all work many hours, and it's terribly hot in the city. I have a house by a beach, and I thought it would be a nice vacation for their very sweet mum, and a nice rest for them. She is 83 and in pretty good health. Just slightly overweight, with circulatory issues and some arthritis. She is pretty independent, and I just supervise her a little bit. I always take her for a walk in the evenings, and lately she's been complaining of her feet, and lower legs hurting. A while ago I put her to soak her feet in water with some Epson salts, and then massaged her gently with hydrating cream. She said it felt so much better. Later on, I started to freak out about whether I should just leave her alone. I mean... what I did sounds totally harmless, but again I don't have any medical knowledge and I have never dealt with a senior person, could I worsen any of her medical conditions by massaging her legs or using Epson salts on her feet? I would really hate something happening to her while she is with me.
We spent the morning there. They did some testing, but the doctor did not want to make changes in her medication, and did not seem too concerned about her legs and feet being sore. He told her to continue with her pain medication for arthritis. Also said that she needed to lose weight, which is worsening her circulatory issues in the legs. Told me to keep doing what I was doing whenever she complained of pain, but instead of massaging her with cream to use coconut or almond oil with rosemary or eucalyptus essential oils. And of course, keep her walking.
I feel better because she really liked the doctor, and the fact that he advised home remedies (which she loves) rather than more medicine, so if God forbids something happened while she is here she won't refuse to go back.
Careisgiving, thank you for your suggestion about the CNA online class, it might be worth a shot since it seems she will be with me longer than expected.
The fact you posted what medical conditions can cause pain in the leg and feet is your gut reaction that something isn't right with this woman's ongoing complaint of pain.
Regarding your statement: "but again I don't have any medical knowledge and I have never dealt with a senior person, could I worsen any of her medical conditions by massaging her legs or using Epson salts on her feet? I would really hate something happening to her while she is with me."
Regarding your statement: I've asked her oldest daughter if she had ever complained on her feet hurting before, and she laughed and said that is one of mom's favorite topics so I feel relieved I did not cause it. As long as Epson salts cannot possibly hurt her, and it is OK to just rub her legs or feet if she needs me too, I will just stick to that. I am probably just making a big deal, because I have never ever taken care of anyone in my entire life, and I don't want to call my friends too often with questions, I don't want them to feel they've put a burden on me if you know what i mean.
Suggestion: You should strongly consider taking a CNA type of class online to better educate yourself on what can happen in the elderly.
I never said you are a bad caregiver.
Walking on the beach after not exercising for a long time....
Can over exercise the calf muscles....
Cause a normal build up of lactic acid...
The treatment to relieve the cramping is Magnesium/Epsom salts soaking the feet.
Elders with mobility issues (pain or swelling of feet) may not be able to walk far, walk through the soft sandy beach to get to the hard, compacted wet sand where it would be okay to walk.
Walk less far, when it is cooler, not in the heat. Ask for advice from her doctor, or family. Elevate feet and legs, maybe ice for pain.
Proceed with caution. Test any swelling by pushing your finger gently into the swelling near her ankles, then if a slight depression stays in the skin after removing the pressure, , it is called pitting edema. Stop exercising if so, and report your findings.
What could be better than walking to improve her life! Good job. As tolerated.
Disclaimer--not an expert, not a doctor, this comment is not medical advice, and would not cover your elder's conditions overall, and are unknown. For informational purposes only. imo.
What you did soaking her feet in epsom salt was totally okay. In fact, it may have been just what she needed if she had low magnesium. It can cause cramping if Mg gets too low. Don't worry that you may have done any harm. She probably enjoyed the soak if she had pain.
If the pain started after she began exercising, my guess would be that her leg arteries aren't letting enough blood get to her muscles. Older people often get blockages in their arteries that have to be cleaned if it gets bad enough. What you did with the epsom salt wouldn't have harmed her if this was the case, either. Don't worry. You sound like a great caregiver.
Make sure she is wearing proper footwear to prevent any cuts or scrapes to her feet. At 83 some decrease in circulation is bound to be there. Keep her walking though! Great exercise for her to do!
Very good of you to take care of your friend's mom and give her a beautiful time on the beach. I know you are doing your best for her.
Given her age and her complaint about her feet and lower leg, I would take her to the doctor and have her checked out. Are her feet or legs swollen? Because that could be a sign of heart failure.