Urgent info on Pressure stockings

[kramer]

I need advice before seeing my Nan's social services assessor tomorrow. She is recently diagnosed and after using bandanges is now onto compression stockings. The nurses have asked that her stockings are changed once each week which I think is appalling as she cannot shower or get the stockings on or off herself. What I need to know is, should she wear them 24 hours a day contiuously? How often should she be offered assistance to change them? (We could remove them the night before the assistant comes to allow her time to shower if its ok to leave them off overnight) and is she at any risk because of continous wear? (She gets sore in the crease on her ankle)
Thanks for any help, Sarah PS She is 87

[Ann]

I can't provide any information that is specific to your Grandmother's case; however, here is general information that may be helpful in your meeting today. This information relates to the use of compression in treating lymphedema and your Grandmother's swelling problem may be due to other causes.

Knit compression garments are designed for use during the day when the patient is more active. An alternate form of compression is used at night.

Wearing compression garments 24/7 for a week at a time does not allow time for bathing and skin care. These are essential to preventing the development of sores and breakdown of the skin.

A consultation with a lymphedema therapist might be helpful in finding a better solution.

If you have specific questions, please contact me by e-mail at ann@lymphnotes.com.

Ann