Home Care for Arthritis

According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States impacting 53.9% of Americans over the age of 75.

If left unchecked, dealing with arthritis’ side effects can have a serious impact on your senior’s ability to enjoy day to day life. In this post, we’ll discuss chronic arthritis pain management and how home care for arthritis can help your loved one dealing with aging and arthritis.

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Chronic Arthritis Pain Management

Despite its prevalence, arthritis has no cure, and dealing with its side effects can be extremely challenging for those suffering with the disease. That’s why finding solutions for chronic arthritis pain management and elevating mood are so important.

Research shows that one out of every nine Americans with arthritis feels that the disease has negatively impacted their social life. Even worse, one out of every three adults with arthritis reportedly suffers from depression.

Arthritis comes in many forms, each with their own set of causes and treatments and proper chronic arthritis pain management will vary depending on what type of arthritis you have.

Elderly and Arthritis

The most common type of arthritis seniors will deal with is called osteoarthritis — a degenerative joint disease that causes tissues in the joint to break down over time.

Osteoarthritis often affects the knees, hips, neck, lower back, and hands (especially at the end of the fingers and the base of the thumbs),

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Pain when using the joint, which may improve with rest. For some, pain may be worse at night in the later stages of the disease.
• Joint stiffness in the morning or after resting for a period of time.
• Swelling in and around the joint, especially after a lot of activity or use of that area.
• Changes in the ability to move the joint.
• Feeling that the joint is loose or unstable.

Osteoarthritis in Old Age Treatment

Osteoarthritis affects everyone differently, with some patients reporting mild discomfort and others experiencing significant pain and eventually disability. Regardless of the severity, goals for treatment should include: reducing pain, improving joint function, and stopping the disease from progressing to avoid disability.

Treatment for Osteoarthritis in old age may include:

• Exercising to reduce joint pain and stiffness as well as increase flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance.
• Properly managing weight to help reduce stress on joints as needed.
• Using braces or orthotics prescribed and fitted by a healthcare professional.

Some patients may need medication to mitigate symptoms of osteoarthritis, such as:

• Oral pain relievers
• Oral anti-inflammatory medications
• Topical creams
• Corticosteroids
• Hyaluronic acid substitutes injected in the knee

If all else fails, surgical removal of bone and/or joint replacement surgery may provide relief. Some research shows that acupuncture may also help with treatment of osteoarthritis.

Whether your loved one needs help with physical therapy, is struggling to drive on their own, or simply needs someone to help them keep up with chores – home care for seniors with arthritis can be an incredible resource.

If you need support caring for an aging arthritis patient, contact our caregiving team today to learn more about our home care services at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.