Tips for Managing Arthritis in Older Adults

Author

Home Instead

Posted on

Jul 08, 2021

Book/Edition

Florida - Southwest

share-this
Share This
For more information on Home Instead Venice, CLICK HERE.
While arthritis is common among older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. Arthritis impacts 54 million adults today, and that number is expected to grow to 78 million by 2040.

Over 100 different types of arthritis might affect an aging adult, with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the two most common ones. Any type of arthritis can affect a persons quality of life and ability to live independently, so it pays to talk to your loved ones healthcare provider about possible treatments to improve your relatives health and wellbeing.


Common Types of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is very common and results from wear-and-tear on the joints. OA can occur in any joint, but it most often affects the hands and weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip and spinal joints. OA symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks tissue in the joints, causing inflammation.

Any type of arthritis causes pain, stiffness and inflammation of the joints. These effects can make it difficult to move around or perform activities of daily living, such as showering and dressing. Severe arthritis even can contribute to falling.

Arthritis of any kind benefits from early diagnosis and treatment. Your loved ones healthcare provider may manage this care themselves or may refer you to a specialist.


As a caregiver, you also can take steps to help your loved one live with arthritis.
Tips for Family caregivers to help manage an older adults arthritis:


Listen and be empathetic.
Take their concerns seriously and communicate with them to their healthcare provider, especially if there hasnt been a diagnosis and symptoms are present.


Keep a journal of symptoms.
Family caregivers can help track when and where pain occurs. They can also help to track medications taken, foods eaten and activity or movement. This information can help identify patterns and provide valuable information to healthcare professionals. The Arthritis Foundation has an app that helps track symptoms and patterns.


Communicate with healthcare providers.
Often multiple healthcare providers care for older adults. The family caregiver can help keep communication consistent among all of them, which helps ensure everyone is on the same page and the person with arthritis is getting the medical care needed.


Encourage movement and regular exercise.
Seek out exercise or movement classes. The Arthritis Foundation has several great tools to help with this including the Walk with Ease Program and Your Exercise Solution. Even small amounts of movement throughout the day can add up and significantly improve a persons symptoms. Some ideas include laps around the house (indoors and outdoors), chair exercises and stretching. Be sure to consult the older adults healthcare provider before introducing exercise into the routine.


Assist with medication and treatment management.
Arthritis is often treatable with medication and other remedies. Family caregivers can help ensure the treatment plans are being followed. Below are additional tips for medication management:

Ask the pharmacist for an upside-down cap.
Use a pill popper device for over-the-counter medications that come in foil packaging.
Look into a prepackaged medication management system that has easy to open packaging such as Simple Meds.


Assist with a well-balanced diet.
For some people, the food they eat can impact their arthritis. Caregivers can prepare arthritis-friendly foods for their aging loved one and encourage them to eat a well-balanced diet. Learn more about arthritis diets.


Encourage weight loss if needed.
Family caregivers can assist their loved one in managing their weight. Excess weight can cause additional strain on weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees. Reduce body weight if needed and consult with a doctor about weight loss. Even a ten percent reduction can be helpful.


Hire professional help.
It is important for family caregivers to help their loved one maintain as much independence as possible. For some, it can be helpful to enlist the assistance of a professional. An Occupational Therapist can offer ideas to remain independent and keep as much functionality as possible. Professional home care can assist with tasks that are more challenging due to arthritis such as meal preparation, light housekeeping and medication management.


Remain positive.
Arthritis symptoms can sometimes cause an older adult to be discouraged by what they can no longer do. Family caregivers should remain positive and keep the focus on what their loved one can still do.
Find creative solutions. There are many arthritis-friendly products that can make life easier. Below are some examples of creative solutions for various parts of the daily routine:


Cooking

Foam handles and arthritis-friendly utensils.
Sit while chopping and preparing foods to reduce fatigue.
Use adaptive cutting boards to stabilize foods.
Utilize a crockpot for easy one pot meals.
Hire a home care company to assist with advanced meal preparation.
For boiling foods, utilize portion control strainers that can be left in the pot while cooking and that drain the water when the strainer is lifted out. This eliminates the need to carry a boiling pot of water to the sink.


Dressing and grooming

Install grab bars in shower, bathtub and around the toilet.
Toilet seat risers can help reduce the effort needed to sit down and stand up.
Automatic dispensers or pumps for grooming products help reduce the need to squeeze bottles.
Seek out adaptive grooming products with special grips and handles.
Button hooks can help with small buttons or velcro can be used to replace buttons all together.
Sock aids and long-handled shoehorns can help with footwear.


Recreation

Card and game holders can help reduce fatigue while playing.
Gripping tools on small items (ex: tennis ball on paint brush) can help maintain independence.
Adaptive gardening tools can help make gardening more accessible.


Family caregivers play a vital role in helping their aging loved ones cope with the effects of arthritis and maintain their independence at home. Coordinating the older adults medical care, encouraging physical activity and helping with household tasks can help your relative stay safe and well at home despite the challenges of arthritis.

Other Articles You May Like

Sleep Disturbances and Dementia

Sleep Disturbances And DementiaAccording to the Mayo Clinics website, about 25 percent of people with mild to moderate dementia experience disturbances in their sleep. Nearly half of the individuals with severe dementia experience sleep disturbances, indicating that sleep troubles worsen as dementia progresses.If you or someone you love has dementia, understanding what sleep disturbances are and how to manage them may help improve life quality and sleep. What Is A Sleep Disturbance?A sleep disturbance is a condition that affects a persons ability to fall or stay asleep, including sleep disorders like insomnia. A sleep disturbance can also include a condition that affects a persons wakefulness, like sleep apnea.Signs and symptoms related to sleep disorders can vary depending on the condition, but people who have trouble sleeping may experience:  Difficulty falling asleep even when feeling tired Waking up throughout the night Feeling fatigued throughout the day  How Are Dementia and Sleep Disturbances Related?Experts are still trying to assess the exact correlation between dementia and sleep disturbances. One possible reason for sleep troubles is that dementia can affect a persons production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone in the brain that makes people sleepy when its dark and alert when its bright outside. As the brain changes with dementia, it may affect a persons melatonin production and sleep.Other causes of sleep disturbances for people with dementia may include dementia medications or confusion at night, also called sundowning. What Is Sundowning?Sundowning is when a person with dementia has increased confusion at night. Sundowning is not a condition but a symptom of dementia that may cause a person to feel anxious, disorientated, or agitated. A person experiencing sundowning may also begin to pace, have trouble falling asleep, or have hallucinations. Tips For Managing Sleep DisturbancesSleep disturbances related to dementia can be a bit more difficult to manage, but a few lifestyle changes may help seniors fall and stay asleep. Follow A RoutineRoutines are helpful for seniors with dementia because they give predictability to their day. Routines can also train the body when to be awake and tired. A solid routine includes establishing a regular bedtime to get the body and mind conditioned for sleep. Create A Relaxing Sleep EnvironmentYou want the environment you sleep in to be relaxing. It should be free of distractions like televisions, cell phones, and laptops. It should also be dim or dark and at a comfortable temperature. Find A Support GroupDementia support groups are a great place to connect with others going through similar situations. Group leaders and members may also offer advice on how they or a loved one have slept better. If youre interested in a free group, the Gulf Coast Dementia Services Support Groups meet for an hour on the second Tuesday of every month. Dementia Care With Visiting AngelsCaring for a loved one with dementia is hard work, and its not something you have to do alone. At Visiting Angels, we provide at-home care services to help seniors age in place, including specialized care services for those with dementia.Our team offers full-time, part-time, and overnight care to help dementia patients who may struggle with sleep disturbances. Caregivers provide physical and emotional support to help clients feel safe and comfortable at home. Services can include medication reminders, creating a relaxing sleep environment, encouraging bedtime, and mobility around the house. We also provide light housekeeping, meal preparation, appointment transportation, and personal grooming. Contact our Gulf Shores office at 251-943-7525 to learn more about our at-home care and dementia services.  

Emergency Kit Essentials

Emergency Kit EssentialsNo one wants to think theyll be in an emergency. However, preparing yourself for an emergency is important, even if you dont think itll happen. One of the essential steps in preparing for an emergency is putting together an emergency kit. An emergency kit is a collection of essential items for an emergency, like a natural disaster. Its a pack of essentials you can survive on if something happens and may even save your life.Do I Need An Emergency Kit?Everyone should have an emergency kit, especially if you live somewhere prone to natural disasters like Mobile, Alabama. Since Mobile is near the Gulf, there is a high natural disaster risk for hurricane-related incidents and wildfires because of the high temperatures. Even if a natural disaster doesnt directly hit your home, you could experience related effects, such as power outages, flooding, or decreased air quality. All of these may impact your safety and require an emergency kit. Emergency kits are not just for natural disasters. They are also useful in other emergencies, such as a house fire. Having a kit packed and ready to go makes it easier for you to grab essentials in case you need to quickly leave your home. What Goes in My Emergency Kit?Everyones emergency kit will vary, but it should include any daily necessities plus anything you can benefit from in an emergency. The National Institute on Aging recommends packing these essentials in your emergency kit: Food and water: Youll want fresh, bottled water and nonperishable items you can enjoy without much preparation, such as crackers, canned tuna, and dried fruit.  Flashlight: In case of a power outage, youll want a few large flashlights and batteries to help you see.   First aid kit: You should have a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment, cloth tape, and dressing. You can find pre-made first-aid kits at any local convenience or drug store.  Sanitation supplies: Your sanitation supplies should include things to clean an area, like disinfectant wipes and hygiene products, like a travel toothbrush and toothpaste.  Sleeping bag and blankets: Sleeping bags and extra blankets are helpful if you get displaced from your home and need something to keep you warm while sleeping.  Communication devices: Cell phones may not be reliable in a natural disaster. Secondary communication devices, like walkie-talkies and CB radios, can help you communicate with authorities during a natural disaster.  Clothes and shoes: Consider packing a few days worth of extra clothing and a pair of shoes.  Eyeglasses and hearing aids: Pack an extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts if you have them. Youll also want an extra hearing set and batteries.  Medications: Make sure you keep your prescription medications close to your emergency kit to be easily accessible in an emergency. You can also pack nonprescription medications, like pain relievers.  Health information and copies of important documents: Keep copies of any important documents in your emergency kit if something happens to the originals.  Assembling An Emergency Kit With Visiting Angels Visiting Angels wants nothing more than to ensure their clients' safety, including helping them prepare an emergency kit. Our caregivers are happy to help you make a list of essentials, provide transportation to pick up necessities from a nearby store, and assemble your kit for emergencies. Outside of helping you prepare for an emergency, our caregivers also provide non-medical services to keep you living safely at home. Caregiving duties include medication reminders, mobility assistance, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. We also offer specialized services like dementia care and assistance in returning home after a hospital stay. Our Mobile office works with local clients throughout the surrounding communities. Contact our office at 251-345-4100 to learn more about our at-home caregiving services.

Supporting Seniors During Flu Season: Tips and Resources

Supporting Seniors During Flu Season: Tips And ResourcesAccording to the CDC, the influenza virus can affect anywhere from 9.3 million to 41 million people annually. Everyone is at risk for the flu, but its detrimentally more serious for older adults, with more than 70 percent of flu-related hospitalizations for those 65 years and older.The flu can be a serious health concern, but there are ways to reduce your chances of getting the flu and stay healthy. Now that fall is in full swing, its time to take precautions to lower your risk of influenza (flu) and other common viruses. What Is The Flu?The flu is a respiratory illness that primarily affects the nose and throat. Common signs and symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, and headaches. Some people experience vomiting or diarrhea, although those symptoms are more common among young children than adults.The flu is caused by influenza viruses that spread from person to person through droplets when a sick person coughs, talks, or sneezes near a non-sick person. Sometimes, the flu can spread from someone touching a surface containing flu droplets, then transferring the virus to themselves by touching their nose or mouth. Do Flu Shots Work?The flu vaccine is a vaccine that reduces flu-related illness and the risk of complications. There are three types of flu vaccines approved in the United States:         Egg-based flu vaccine         Cell culture-based flu vaccine         Recombinant flu vaccineAll three types are safe and FDA-approved. They generally work the same way. Some people experience flu-like symptoms after a shot, but they are significantly less intense than the flu and tend to disappear after a few days.While doctors often recommend getting flu shots, they are unsafe for individuals with life-threatening allergies to ingredients within the flu shot. Its also important to talk to your doctor about any medications or health concerns before getting a flu vaccine to ensure its safe for you. Where To Get A Flu ShotMany places throughout Daphne, Alabama, provide flu shots. Most people get their flu shots from a nearby Walgreens or CVS. You can schedule an appointment or walk in. Wait times can vary, but they are typically pretty quick appointments. You can also get a flu shot from your primary care physician. Many doctors ask if you want a flu shot during your annual check-up. You can view a full list of flu vaccine providers in Alabama can be found at alabamapublichhealth.gov. What If I Get The Flu?Even if you have a flu shot, its still possible to develop it. If you start feeling flu symptoms, consider these tips from the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.Go to the doctor within 48 hours of symptoms. Its important to start treating symptoms as soon as possible, especially if you are 65 or older.Get plenty of rest. Rest is one of the best things you can do for your body to help it recover from the flu.Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and other hydrating fluids with electrolytes. Take fever reducers. If you have a fever, take fever reducers like Tylenol or Advil.Care Through Recovery With Visiting AngelsTaking care of yourself when you have the flu can be challenging, but the caring team at Visiting Angels is here to help. Our caregivers are happy to provide transportation to doctors appointments, assist with household tasks like cleaning and cooking, and remind you of medication. If youre fatigued, we can assist with personal grooming, mobility, and bathroom duties. Contact us today at 251-517-9700 to learn more about our at-home care services or to schedule a complimentary consultation.  

Local Services By This Author

Home Instead

Home Health 6150 Diamond Centre Ct., Ste. 1200, Fort Myers, Florida, 33912

Home Instead of Fort Myers, provides personalized in-home senior care services to aging adults in North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. Our professional caregivers, known as CAREGivers, are dedicated to enhancing the aging experience by providing practical support with a human touch. What is Home Care? Senior care services from Home Instead help to enhance the aging experience by providing practical support at home with a human touch. Our professional caregivers immerse themselves into wherever home is to assist with common activities of daily living and build a lasting relationship with you and your family.Our home care services can help aging adults stay engaged in everyday life with tailor-made support by professional caregivers to stay safe and well at home. Its our mission to provide a care plan personalized to your familys needs to bring comfort, connection, and quality of life in the place that they love the most, their home.Interested in joining our team of professional caregivers? Home Instead offers rewarding careers for individuals passionate about assisting seniors with activities of daily living. We are looking for compassionate individuals to join us in making a difference in the lives of seniors. View all available jobs and apply now to become an Entry Level CAREGiver with Home Instead.

Home Instead

Non-Medical 6150 Diamond Centre Court, Fort Myers, Florida, 33912

Home Instead can help with compassionate, senior home care services. Non-medical home care focuses on helping seniors with the daily activities they need to engage in to remain safe and healthy. Many seniors need help to get their day started with assistance showering, preparing breakfast and taking their medications. Likewise, help before bedtime, or even overnight, can be an important safety net for seniors at home who often are more apprehensive at nighttime. One of the most important needs of a senior who lives alone is often simple companionship. The companionship component of a professional caregivers job can be just as vital as the physical assistance a professional will provide.