How to Manage Arthritis in Seniors: Tips and Treatments?
Arthritis impacts more than 60 million adults worldwide, with the elderly population above 45 years of age being common victims. Not a normal part of ageing, this degenerative condition makes everyday tasks difficult for the elderly and may even cause pain, inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Severe arthritis may also contribute to falling, making it extremely crucial to find ways to manage and treat this condition among the ageing population.
Once arthritis has been diagnosed in older adults, the focus must shift to managing its symptoms and improving the quality of life for the affected individual. While there’s no cure for most forms of arthritis, a range of treatments may alleviate symptoms and slow down the progression of the condition. Here are a few tips and treatment options to manage arthritis in seniors:
Listen to the Elderly and Be Empathetic
Take your loved seniors’ concerns seriously and communicate the same to their healthcare providers. Proper diagnosis of the condition is very important, especially if symptoms are present.
Better to keep a journal of the symptoms, tracking down everything about the condition. This may include when and where the pain occurs, medicines taken, foods eaten, and different activities or movements that the older adult engages in. This way, you can identify patterns and offer valuable details to concerned doctors.
Use Pain Management Tricks
Proper education on pain management can help you promptly alleviate arthritis-related pain in the elderly. While heat and cold packs coupled with medicines would be a great option, distraction techniques, like listening to music or reading, may take the elderly’s mind off the pain. You can also discuss pain management tricks with physiotherapists at Vesta Elder Care to get proper feedback on their effectiveness.
Medicines to Treat Arthritis
Medicines can alleviate arthritis symptoms such as joint stiffness, pain and inflammation. These include:
- Analgesics or pain relievers like tramadol or acetaminophen to reduce pain only.
- NSAIDs or Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen reduce both inflammation and pain.
- DMARDS or Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic drugs to slow disease progression.
Exercising
Movement and exercise throughout the day can also improve arthritis symptoms significantly. These may include but may not be limited to laps around the house, stretching and chair exercises. Besides physical therapy, occupational therapy may be useful. This involves learning different ways to perform regular tasks so they are less taxing on the affected joints.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications like having a healthy diet and maintaining proper weight may be encouraged in seniors to help them alleviate the signs of arthritis. While reducing body weight may alleviate pressure on the weight-bearing joints, incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, like whole grains, nuts, and fish, can manage symptoms. Heat and cold therapy can also be beneficial. Warm compresses may ease muscle tension, and cold packs can reduce joint inflammation and pain.
Helping the Elderly Stay Positive
Arthritis symptoms may cause the elderly to be discouraged by what they can no longer do. Care providers and family members must encourage them to remain positive and focus on what they can still do. Go for several arthritis-friendly products that can make life easier for older adults affected by the condition.
Get Professional Help
If the above-mentioned tips and treatment for arthritis management in seniors become too taxing for family members, they can always hire professional help. Helping the senior citizen maintain as much independence as possible must be the goal, and in doing so, in-home care providers from Vesta Elder Care can be of good help.
By keeping the elderly company throughout the day and night, they may encourage independence, keeping them as functional as possible. Our professional care providers can also help with tasks that may be challenging due to arthritis, like light housekeeping, meal preparation and medication management.
Vesta Elder Care’s Approach to Arthritis Management and Treatment
At Vesta Elder Care, we offer an all-inclusive approach to living life to the fullest despite the challenges seniors face due to arthritis. You can download our app to know more.
Our customized senior care plans ensure patients get care and treatment tailored to their exclusive requirements, symptoms and lifestyle. Regular doctor consultations, either online or in person, ensure that the patient’s condition is monitored continuously and any changes in medication efficacy or symptoms are addressed quickly.
Our in-home care providers are available 24/7 to take care of all urgent requirements and concerns of arthritis-affected senior citizens. Besides assessing the patient’s medical needs, they consider their psychological and functional requirements and work accordingly. With their undying dedication towards caring for patients, our care providers ensure hope for those fighting arthritis. Find more about our elder care providers and the services we offer here.
LEAVE US A MESSAGE
Dr. Prateek Bhardwaj is the COO of Vesta Elder Care. a physiotherapist by profession and Prateek joined the Vesta team at its time of inception. His years of experience have enriched Vesta to become a service-oriented organization and have guided the team through its many milestones