Helping Your Senior With Arthritis Age in Place

Personal Care at Home in Long Prairie, MN

Arthritis is a medical condition that involves inflammation and stiffness of the joints, which can result in pain, reduced mobility, and joint deformities. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which can significantly impact an individual’s daily life and overall health. If your loved one is struggling with any form of arthritis, it can be exceptionally hard to age in place without help. They may struggle to bathe, dress, brush their teeth, and have a hard time meeting other personal needs with this disease. Personal care at home can help your loved one with arthritis age in place and help them meet all of these unique needs. If your loved one is struggling with arthritis, here are some tips that may make aging in place easier.

Consult a Doctor

If your senior loved one is in a lot of pain and keeps taking over-the-counter medication, they should be talking to a doctor. This professional will help prescribe medication to help manage the inflammation your senior’s body is feeling. However, all opioids should be avoided because they can increase the risk of falling and dizziness, and may end up hurting your senior in the future. A good doctor will have recommendations for your loved one that will be safe and effective. When they get the proper medication, it may help your loved one age in place and be able to do more things independently without help. Even with personal care at home helping around the house, your senior will want to maintain some form of independence.

Ensure Movement

It sounds crazy to tell a senior with arthritis to keep moving, but the truth is the more they move, the more it will help them beat the inflammation in their bodies. Regular exercise can reduce levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the body, helping to mitigate chronic inflammation. Senior exercise helps maintain joint flexibility and strength, which can alleviate arthritis symptoms and improve joint function. Lastly, exercise can enhance overall physical fitness and endurance, enabling seniors to manage the challenges of arthritis better and maintain an active and independent lifestyle. However, seniors with arthritis need to consult a healthcare provider or physical therapist to develop a safe and tailored exercise plan that suits their specific conditions and needs. Your elderly loved one may need to see a physical therapist to learn how to do the proper exercises.

Clean the House

Your loved one may have a hard time cleaning the house, leaving it a danger zone for your loved one to live in. You can help your elderly parents by going through their house and picking up any wires that could be tripping hazards or even old and falling apart rugs. Your senior may struggle with balance because of their arthritis, so keeping a home clear of tripping hazards is crucial. You should also ensure that a home is well-lit so a senior can see what they are doing and where they are going.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Personal Care at Home in Long Prairie, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today.
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