What Home Care Can Do for Seniors with Arthritis?
Arthritis can be a particularly difficult challenge for older adults living at home. Nearly half of all seniors report a diagnosed case of arthritis. Arthritis is not a single condition, but a way of describing joint pain and inflammation that happens most frequently in the elderly.
Seniors living at home often find dealing with arthritis difficult, as it can limit mobility, flexibility, and fine motor control. Arthritis can occur in any joint, such as hips, knees, and hands, making daily tasks more challenging. Maintaining a healthy routine and adapting to the condition is essential for older adults to live comfortably.
What Types of Arthritis Are Common for Seniors in Home Care?
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two major types of arthritis in seniors; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage, the tissue that cushions bones from contacting each other at the joint, begins to break down. This leads to swelling and pain in the joints, typically caused by wear and tear over the years.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. This causes pain and inflammation, usually starting with smaller joints in the hands and feet. The immune response results in swelling and increased arthritis pain.
There are more type of arthritis, including:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Gout
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Septic arthritis
- Thumb arthritis
You cannot reverse joint damage. The best treatment is early detection and management of the condition.
What Should Seniors in Home Care Do to Live with Arthritis?
Since there is no cure for arthritis, it’s important for seniors to manage the symptoms and limit the damage to the joints. Your medical professional will outline a course of treatment that can help you maintain as much mobility and flexibility as possible. Typically, these recommendations will include some combination of the following:
Regular physical activity: Experts recommend 30 to 40 minutes a day, 3 to 4 times per week, to maintain mobility. This may include low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga, which are gentle on the joints yet effective in keeping them flexible.
Prescription medications: There are several categories of medications that may be prescribed to older adults:
- NSAIDs and analgesics: These medications are intended for arthritis pain relief and reduction of inflammation.
- Corticosteroids: Fast-acting anti-inflammatories that provide temporary relief.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): Medications that can slow or stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
- Biologic response modifiers: Typically used with DMARDs, targeting specific proteins involved in the immune response.
- Anti-irritants: Topical creams that help reduce pain by blocking pain signals sent to the brain.
- Physical therapy: Strengthening the muscles surrounding affected joints can lessen the strain on them, improving mobility and reducing pain.
- Surgery: Depending on the severity of the condition, joint fusion, repair, or replacement may be recommended.
Given the complexity of arthritis management, having an at-home caregiver can significantly improve the quality of life for seniors.
Adaptive Products Assist Seniors in Home Care With Arthritis
Many elderly people living with arthritis struggle with pain and have difficulty performing everyday tasks. Some products can help, including:
- Arthritis gloves and sleeves. These may help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Imany compression sleeves made with copper advertise additional benefits to arthritis sufferers. However, there is no evidence that these products provide any additional relief.
- Lever doorknob adapters. Turning knobs can be difficult; a lever-type adapter can make it easier.
- Positioning aides. From positioning wedges to knee separator pillows, there are plenty of devices to help seniors with arthritis be more comfortable.
- Voice typing apps. Trying to type with arthritic hands can be slow and painful. There are many voice-to-text apps that can assist seniors with arthritis.
These products, plus a host of others designed for elderly people with arthritis, can make a big difference in quality of life. But products alone can’t do the job; seniors need help.
In-Home Care Aides Can Help Seniors with Arthritis
It’s essential for seniors with arthritis to maintain as much mobility and flexibility as possible. However, some everyday tasks may become too challenging to manage alone. An in-home caregiver can provide much-needed assistance with daily activities, enabling seniors to live more comfortably with arthritis.
Meal preparation and planning: Arthritis can make cooking difficult, especially when it involves opening jars or cans. An at-home care aide can assist with meal planning and preparation, ensuring that seniors receive nutritious meals without the strain of cooking.
Medication reminders and management: Opening pill bottles can be a daunting task for individuals with arthritis. A home care aide can help organize medications and ensure that seniors take them as prescribed, which is crucial for managing arthritis symptoms effectively.
Light housekeeping and laundry: Routine household chores like dusting, vacuuming, and laundry can be exhausting for seniors with arthritis. Home care aides can take over these tasks, ensuring that the home environment remains clean, safe, and comfortable.
Home Care Powered by AUAF Brings Help for Seniors with Arthritis
The caring aides at Home Care Powered by AUAF can assist your elderly relative with the everyday challenges of living with arthritis. Whether it’s light housekeeping or laundry, our caregivers are up to the task at hand. Find out more about our caregivers by calling us at 773-274-9262 or contact us.
DISCLAIMER: Home Care Powered by AUAF has not tested or reviewed any of the products listed, and do not endorse and brand or product. Home Care Powered by AUAF does not receive any commission, consideration or benefit from the purchase of any products linked in this blog.