Health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis can all cause extremely limited circulation. Poor nutrition and limited mobility can also cause poor circulation, which is why seniors who are bedridden frequently often experience circulatory issues.
Walking, swimming, and even heel-toe exercises while watching television are great ways to give the circulatory system a boost. Just remember to start slow and work your way up when encouraging seniors to adopt new fitness routines. Encourage them to try cardiovascular exercise or yoga.
The best activity to improve circulation is aerobic exercise – the kind that makes you mildly out of breath. This includes jogging, swimming, cycling, dancing, rowing, boxing, team sports, aerobic or cardio classes, or brisk walking.
Unopened mail, papers pilling up, unpaid bills, phone calls not returned, low food supply, unkempt home interior and/or exterior, laundry piling up, spilling and dropping things (check carpet for stains) and keeping curtains drawn, all signal signs of decline.
The test: Gather a few pillows or cushions and use them to prop up both legs so they're at a 45-degree angle while you lie on your back. As you're resting, notice if your legs become paler or retain their original color throughout the span of a minute.
Blood clots don't always become mobile, but it is important that you keep your circulation optimal so blood clots do not form. If you have pain, swelling, tenderness, a warm sensation, and a reddish discoloration in your legs or arms, you should seek medical attention.
Start doing daily stretching, exercises, or yoga to increase blood flow. Do aerobic or cardio exercises to get your blood moving and your heart rate up. Wear compression stockings to encourage the blood to move from your legs back up to your heart. Eat a healthy diet to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
High blood pressure and atherosclerosis
Weak vessels have a hard time moving blood properly, which can lead to poor circulation. This can cause atherosclerosis, a disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls.
The most common conditions include obesity, diabetes, heart conditions and arterial issues. In fact, poor circulation can be a sneaky symptom of a serious vascular condition called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
Leg numbness or weakness. No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet. Painful cramping in one or both of the hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. Shiny skin on the legs.
Walking is the simplest yet most effective exercise to help improve blood circulation in your legs. Walk at a comfortable pace every day. Walking will increase the muscle contraction in your legs and improve the blood flow in your limbs and throughout your body.
Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.
Bathing once or twice a week is acceptable for older adults, as the purpose is to prevent the skin from breaking down and lower the risk of skin infections. Seniors also tend to be less active than younger adults, so they can get away with fewer baths. However, you don't want your loved one to develop body odor.
Conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and Parkinson's can all affect mobility. In some cases, diabetes may also contribute to mobility loss. Oftentimes, additional health factors such as excess weight can make mobility more difficult because it adds strain on the bones and joints.
Early signs of deterioration to look out for include a sudden lack of care about appearance, stopping attending group activities, and reminiscing about the past. More than two trips to hospital within a six-month period can also be an early sign of deterioration, Ms Reed said.
Magnesium plays a role in blood circulation and neurotransmitter function and can help control pain by releasing pain-reducing hormones and constricting blood vessels.
Packed with potassium, bananas can help improve blood flow by lowering blood pressure. Too much sodium in your diet can cause high blood pressure, but potassium helps the kidneys remove extra sodium from your body, which then passes through your urine. This helps relax blood vessels and enable blood flow.
Magnesium glycinate is a good option as it is well absorbed and bioavailable. This makes it ideal for those needing to correct a deficiency.