When easing arthritis pain, it is crucial to keep your senior's joints moving and their muscles strong, but this can be difficult. According to the CDC, in the United States, 1 in every four adults has arthritis.
What is Arthritis?
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Other forms include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Symptoms are pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms. Symptoms include early morning joint stiffness, tiredness, swollen joints, weight loss, and skin rashes.
How to Ease Arthritis Pain
Arthritis pain can change from day to day as it is prone to "flare-ups." However, most forms of arthritis are long-term conditions. There is no cure, but there are ways to ease the pain.
Rest and Exercise
Regular exercise will help your senior keep their muscles and joints strong. Try taking your senior for walks regularly, but make sure there are places to stop and rest if needed. If a joint is inflamed, a short rest period may reduce the swelling. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise as the water supports your senior's weight and puts less pressure on muscles and joints.
Healthy Eating
While healthy eating cannot cure arthritis, it can help your loved one's general health and well-being. Maintaining a healthy weight goes a long way in allowing your senior to be independent and mobile for as long as possible.
Managing Stress
Help your loved one with tasks made difficult by arthritis — their weekly grocery shop, gardening, and housework. This will decrease the amount of stress caused by the condition and help them lead a more positive life.
Alternating Hot and Cold Treatment
Heat treatments include starting the day with a warm bath or shower to relieve stiffness, or placing a heating pad on aching joints. Cold treatments include wrapping a bag of ice in a towel and applying it to painful areas (limit to 20 minutes at a time).
Regularly Consult with Your Doctor
Recommendations from health care providers can motivate seniors to be physically active. Seniors with inflammatory arthritis have a better quality of life if they are diagnosed early, receive treatment, and learn how to manage their condition.
If daily activities are becoming too difficult due to arthritis, it may be time to explore care options. Call Options for Senior Living at 602-845-1320 for a free consultation.
