Edema in healthy, young adults will usually go away over time, but in a senior or a person with health issues, edema can become a cause for concern and should be assessed by a medical professional. This is particularly true if edema is paired with any of the following symptoms:
Prolonged swelling, or swelling that won’t go away
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
These symptoms could also be a sign of pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure (CHF), leg pain and swelling can also indicate a blood clot deep in your vein (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), which is another health issue that requires medical assessment and care.
What causes edema in seniors?
Congestive heart failure
Kidney damage or kidney disease
Liver disease
Chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Poor lymphatic system function
How to prevent/treat edema in seniors

Exercise, stretch and move around throughout the day (especially after long hours of sitting still)
Wear compression socks on affected limbs to encourage blood flow
Elevate affected limbs
If left untreated
If left untreated, edema can lead to several complications in elderly individuals, including:
Painful swelling
Difficulty walking
Stiffness
Stretched, itchy, and uncomfortable skin
Increased risk of infection in the swollen area
Scarring between layers of tissue
Decreased blood circulation
Decreased elasticity of arteries, veins, joints, and muscles