How an In-House Caregiver Can Help Manage Arthritis Symptoms

Contrary to popular belief, arthritis isn’t a singular disease. Instead, various types adhere to specific causes and symptoms. For instance, osteoarthritis results from wear and tear on joint cartilage, whereas other arthritis types are due to a spike in uric acid.

Anyone can contract arthritis, though the disease is most common in older adults. While lifestyle factors can prevent the worsening of symptoms, going it alone can be too big a burden to bear on seniors. However, in-home senior care presents an effective solution for most.

What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

Arthritis is either mild or severe, though even duller symptoms can interfere with an individual’s quality of life. If your loved one is undiagnosed, note any occurrences of:

• Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness

• Redness and warmth around the joints

• Decreased range of motion

Symptoms can also appear in the hips, knees, back, and hands. Arthritis can be challenging to cope with but isn’t impossible with an in-home caregiver who can provide the following benefits.

Chores and Maintenance

Seemingly ordinary household chores such as sweeping, dusting, cleaning, and scrubbing are struggles for those with arthritis. With a limited range of motion, upstairs cleaning isn’t likely to be on their task list. A caregiver can take over housekeeping tasks while clients focus on recovery.

Errands and Appointments

Even telecommunicating can prove arduous for a senior with arthritis. Driving is virtually impossible. With a caregiver’s support, seniors don’t have to depend on public transportation to make a healthcare appointment. Instead, they can receive telehealth advice while caregivers go on doctor-appointed errands.

They’ll even take on the responsibility of shopping for groceries, toiletries, and other household items.

Nutrition

If your elderly relative suffers from joint pain, taking charge of the kitchen is out of the question. A caregiver can remove the burden of preparing meals and craft a nutritious weekly menu according to a healthcare professional’s recommendation.

Pain-Relieving Medications

Some seniors will forget to take their prescribed medications or simply experience trouble prying bottles open or reading labels. With a caregiver, there’s no need to worry about stubborn jars and misplacing pills. They can also administer intravenous medication or apply muscle-relaxing lotions and creams in hard-to-reach places.

Home Exercises

The deteriorating range of motion won’t improve without daily exercise. A senior nurse is most likely well-equipped to establish a simple stretching and walking exercise plan and reinforce the proper form.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, arthritis is incurable—but it is manageable. If your relative isn’t improving as soon as you’re anticipating, be patient. Like most healing processes, arthritis takes time. With the appropriate care plan and senior in-home care, your older relatives can continue to thrive as independently as possible.

At Long Life Care Management, we care about your elderly loved ones just as much as you do. We provide all types of care support, from geriatric, transitional, to chronic care management. Our care managers work closely with specialists, diagnostic centers, and pharmacies to ensure that your relative receives the best possible care.