Understanding Compression Therapy for Seniors

Compression therapy is a popular treatment method that can help seniors with a wide range of health problems. It uses specialized clothing to put controlled pressure on certain body parts – usually the legs or arms. The goal is to improve blood flow and relieve symptoms caused by circulatory problems. With support from loved ones and the elder care team, seniors can learn more about compression therapy and its benefits.

What Is Compression Therapy?


Compression therapy aims to improve blood flow by putting pressure on the affected area’s veins, muscles, and other tissues. It helps keep blood from pooling, reduces swelling, and gets deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The compression comes when specific clothing makes the veins smaller, speeding up the blood flow and improving circulation as a whole.


Compression therapy can be vital for seniors with circulation problems like varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, or deep vein thrombosis due to aging. Also, it can help them with edema, lymphedema, or venous ulcers. These conditions can be painful, cause swelling, increase exhaustion, and decrease mobility. When using compression therapy consistently, these conditions are lessened, and nutrients and oxygen can get to the affected areas easier, preventing fluid from building up.

What Type Of Clothing Is Used?


Compression tights, sleeves, bandages, and wraps are all types of compression clothing. When choosing what clothing to use, it’s essential to understand that there are varying degrees of compression, with graduated compression being the most popular type. Graduated compression puts more pressure on the end farther away from seniors and less pressure on the end closer to them. This positioning makes it easier for blood to move back to the heart from the arms and legs.

Accessing Medical Help


Seniors should talk to their medical team or a vascular medicine specialist to determine if compression therapy is an option and what amount of compression is needed. Also, the clothing must fit right to ensure that the compression treatment will be effective. It’s important to correctly measure and assess their needs by considering the illness’s severity, mobility, and personal preferences. The elder care team can help monitor how seniors react to the treatment and encourage them to be consistent in their routines. Seniors should follow the instructions for how long and often they should wear compression treatment. The compression material will usually be worn during the day and taken off at night.

Compression treatment has many benefits, but there are times when it might not be the best choice, which is why talking with the medical team is crucial, especially for seniors with certain conditions like arterial insufficiency, congestive heart failure, or skin infections. The elder care team or loved ones may need to help seniors with limited dexterity or mobility issues take the clothing on and off.


Compression might be a viable option for some seniors to improve their quality of life, as it can help relieve symptoms, reduce swelling, and improve mobility. However, as mentioned, talking with the medical team should be the first step.

If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Elder Care in Ashburn, VA, contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. Providing in-home senior care in Northern Virginia.