Caring for people with arthritis

Living with arthritis is extremely challenging, since it affects your entire body. Many older adults and seniors are dealing with it, and it can lead to pain, swelling, a lower range of motion and even stiffness. Some cases can be moderate, but some are severe and you need to treat them with the utmost care and attention.

When an older adult deals with arthritis, he will end up having a lack of mobility, not to mention lots of discomfort and pain. It’s very hard for a senior with arthritis to live a normal life, so he needs a lot of attention and assistance.

What kind of arthritis is common for seniors?

Most of the time seniors will have osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is degenerative, what it means is that the bone cartilage found in the joints will wear out and that leads to stiffness and pain. Aside from being a normal part of the aging process, there are other risk factors that include previous injuries, genetics and extra weight. Some seniors deal with rheumatoid arthritis, in this case the immune system is malfunctioning. Arthritis can be treated, and it’s important to have a team of experts like Virtus Care to offer you the help and support you need during this challenging process.

How can you take care of people with arthritis?

The first thing you want to do is to understand the type of condition that person has at this time. This will give you a good understanding of their limitations and how you can offer the best assistance and support. In addition, you want to stay in touch with the senior at all times via their mobile phone to see exactly what they need. It’s important to know when to stand back too, as seniors do want to perform some tasks themselves.

When it comes to the things you can do, it’s a good idea to help manage medication if possible. Helping with the management of assistive devices like walkers and canes is a very good idea. You also need to encourage the senior to exercise, maybe you can offer some assistance with that if possible.

Since seniors with arthritis are dealing with pain, help them relax and unwind. Offer a sense of positivity when you talk with them and become a beacon of hope. It can bring in an amazing difference, and results can be incredible every time thanks to that.

Helping with meal preparation is also a good idea to keep in mind. Of course, you should also offer support by talking with the senior. Listen to them and what they need, help them as much as possible. You should also listen to their stories and stay engaged in the conversation, it offers them a lot of support.

Conclusion

It’s easy to see that dealing with arthritis is not going to be easy for any senior. This comes with a vast range of challenges, however you should always stay positive and offer as much assistance as you can. Use these tips above and remember to help with home, daily tasks for the best results!

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