(RN here..)
Keep your feet elevated when you're sitting around and when you're sleeping. One or two pillows should help with swelling.
Many of my patients find that using ace wraps instead of TED hose/compression stockings are more comfortable because they can make it tighter or looser as needed. Remember to start at the toes and wrap upwards. Don't wrap too tightly - your toes should not be red, numb, or tingling after the wrapping is done. At first don't keep on for prolonged period of time, put them on for a few hours, off for a few hours to get used to the compression.
Regardless of what you use (stockings or ace), and especially if you have diabetes, please keep an eye on any "wrinkles" in the fabric that could cause blisters or skin breakdown. This is particularly an issue for people with diabetes and other cirulatory disorders.
I find compresison stockings very hard to size properly and they ALWAYS end up with wrinkles somewhere, making the patient (or myself---I used to wear them when I worked 12 hour night shifts in the ER) uncomfortable and at risk for skin breakdown.
IF you use the stockings, many people/RN's find benefit to applying powder to the legs before putting the hose on, to help them slide up easier and with fewer wrinkles/creases. I bet you could you-tube "putting on TED hose" and find techniques
Monitor your salt intake, cut what you can. It will only increase swelling. Look for salt in hidden things - canned veg, condiments, snacks. Rinse canned veg beforehand, buy low sodium products when possible, only add salt when cooking is done.
Keep an eye on whether you notice shortness of breath, increased swelling, or "pitting" edema -- means, you press your finger into the swollen part of your body (foot, leg, etc) and the indentation stays for more than a second.
Keep an eye on any chest pain, shortness of breath with rest or activity. Pain when breathing.
Note if you find your'e short of breath when laying flat, or finding yourself needing to prop yourself up with pillows when you sleep, or that you're more comfortable falling asleep sitting upright in a chair than laying in bed.
All of these are worrying signs of not-just-age-related-leg swelling, but issues with heart and/or lungs (specifically the concern is Congestive Heart Failure, where your heart isn't able to pump blood efficiently, fluid backs up in your lungs and eventually in body parts).
any of these signs would warrant immediate medical attention
= new reply since forum marked as read
