Millions of people deal with arthritis, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy condition to face. Arthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It can affect any joint in the body, so finding ways to reduce arthritis symptoms is really important for overall well-being. Home care assistance can offer a lot of support and comfort to seniors when they’re trying to deal with these symptoms.
Eat Healthy Foods
Eating a healthier diet with foods that are anti-inflammatory is a good start for seniors who have arthritis. Some foods to consider are fatty fish like salmon, nuts and seeds, and dark leafy greens. If seniors know that they have any trigger foods, or foods that make arthritis symptoms worse, it’s better to avoid those.
Get Regular Exercise
Moving more might sound impossible, especially when joints are swollen and painful. But engaging in low-impact exercise can help keep joints functional and reduces stiffness. Exercise also helps to improve flexibility and supports overall joint health. Some seniors may find that working with a physical therapist helps them to find movements that help them experience reduced arthritis symptoms.
Manage Pain and Discomfort
When pain and discomfort arrive, it’s important to know what to do. Using hot and cold therapy, like heating pads and ice packs, can help with pain and inflammation. Home care providers can help seniors with these treatments, or with applying topical creams and gels that can help reduce pain and stiffness. Many of these treatments use ingredients like capsaicin or menthol to offer relief.
Use Assistive Devices Properly
Arthritis flares might mean that seniors need to rely on assistive devices for a little while. Using these devices properly helps ensure that seniors don’t injure themselves and they can make life easier. Canes and walkers help to reduce stress on joints and keep seniors mobile. Reaching tools, jar openers, and other similar devices make everyday tasks possible, even during an arthritis flare.
Create a Comfortable Living Environment
Having a comfortable and safe living environment is vital with all sorts of health issues, not just arthritis. Supportive furniture that adjusts easily can keep seniors comfortable and reduce pressure on joints. Grab bars, lever handles on doors, and ramps can all make it easier for seniors to access spaces in their homes even when arthritis is acting up. Elder care providers can also take on light housekeeping tasks, ensuring that seniors don’t have to expend energy they don’t have to maintain a clean and tidy home.
Manage Stress
Stress makes just about every health issue worse, including arthritis. When seniors are worried about how they’ll get necessary tasks done it’s tough to get the rest they need to recover. Managing stress with relaxation techniques can help immensely. It also helps to have someone to talk to about what they’re experiencing.
Home care assistance can’t take arthritis pain and symptoms away, but their help can make it easier for seniors with arthritis to manage daily life. It might take a combination of different techniques for seniors to get the relief they need, but it’s possible to greatly improve quality of life with arthritis.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Naperville, IL, please contact the caring staff at Suburban Home Care today at (630) 964-9000.
There are several great reasons why Suburban Home Care® should be your choice for quality homecare. All of our Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are screened, trained, bonded and insured.
Every family needs to be aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hire becomes injured while working for you, you will become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This has left several families very vulnerable when their caregiver injured themselves at their home.
The potential to lose everything you have worked so hard to achieve seems an unnecessary risk. Every one of Suburban Home Care®’s employees are completely covered by insurance so you and your loved ones can relax knowing that if something unforeseen happens to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance.
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