One of the many changes that seniors face as they age is increased joint pain. Unfortunately, this pain might stop them from remaining active, which is key for success when aging at home and for overall well-being. The good news is that there are ways for elder care providers and loved ones to help seniors remain active and be mindful of joint health.
When it comes to joint health, seniors face a number of problems. For instance, osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease, makes the joints hurt and feel stiff. When diagnosed with this condition, seniors might find it harder to do even the simplest of tasks, like walking or getting up from a seated position. In addition to the pain they feel, seniors might also notice a decrease in flexibility, which also impacts their mobility.
Additionally, a decrease in cartilage and synovial fluid can make the joints inflamed, which increases the pain even more. Two other conditions that present challenges are rheumatoid arthritis and gout, both of which need careful monitoring by elder care and medical professionals to ensure they don’t get worse.
The fact is that seniors need to stay busy to keep their health and well-being in good shape. However, this can be harder than it sounds when joint pain is present. To counter this, seniors might try swimming for physical exercise, as it is easy on the joints while building muscles. Stronger muscles will, in turn, take the stress off the joints and lessen joint pain. Additionally, yoga, tai chi, or using a recumbent bike are also good options.
Before starting physical exercise, elder care should encourage seniors to warm up. This prevents injuries, but it also gets the body and joints ready. Simple stretching exercises for a few minutes will do the trick. Speaking of stretching, regular stretching is also a good way to lubricate the joints. In addition, seniors should also cool down when they’re finished.
Elder Care Waldo FL – Helping Seniors Navigate Physical Activity with Joint Health in Mind
Beyond keeping active, seniors should also focus on eating a healthy diet that focuses on foods like berries, fresh greens, and fatty fish, which can help reduce inflammation and improve joint health. Also, if necessary, elder care can encourage them to use aids like canes or other mobility devices to provide extra support. In addition, seniors can deal with stress better—which also impacts joint pain—by doing deep breathing routines or meditation.
The tips above, as well as others seniors can gain from elder care and their medical team, will help ensure they continue to move despite the pain. However, if the pain becomes too much to bear, seniors should be encouraged to have an in-depth conversation with medical providers to see what else can be done.
Sources: https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/features/joint-pain-management-age
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis
https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-seniors-can-manage-osteoarthritis-symptoms
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