If your elderly loved one has psoriatic arthritis, she’s likely had it for years. Most cases of psoriatic arthritis are diagnosed when a person is between the ages of 30-55. While the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are problematic leading to the need of 24-hour home care, the disease can also lead to other health complications that your loved one needs to be aware of and proactively work toward avoiding.
Psoriatic Arthritis Overview
Psoriatic Arthritis (or PA) occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies the body’s joints and skin, causing inflammation and an overproduction of skin cells. The affected part(s) of the body can be just about anywhere, from fingertips to spine, and will form thick red patches of skin covered in white scales. Those areas will be stiff and swell, causing pain.
While they may go in and out of remission, the disease generally progresses and gets worse over the years, requiring assistance and care, like 24-hour home care services.
Possible Future Health Complications
The swelling that occurs from PA and causes skin conditions and joint pain, can also begin to affect other areas of the body, including the eyes, heart, and intestines. Commonly seen related health problems include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Uveitis., an inflammation of the eye
- Fatty liver disease
Five Tips for Reducing the Risk of Other Health Complications from PA
Follow the Treatment Plan and Have Open Communication with Your Loved One’s Medical Team
Sometimes, individuals don’t want to “complain” about how bad it is, or perhaps some symptoms are embarrassing or seem gross to your loved one. Open and honest communication will help your loved one’s medical team determine the best course of action to manage his PA and help prevent it from developing into other health concerns.
Keep Active
When parts of the body hurt, it can be difficult to make them move. Yet, exercise reduces swelling (which causes a lot of pain) and improves heart health, reducing the risk of other complications such as diabetes or high blood pressure from developing.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being either underweight or overweight can increase the risk of other health concerns. An underweight person may have low muscle and bone mass to support the needed activity, and an overweight individual will be putting more pressure and stress on her joints.
Quit Smoking
Smoking leads to more psoriasis flares along with a myriad of other health complications, especially with the heart and lungs.
Diet
Eat a balanced diet packed full of nutrients that fuel the body and aren’t empty calories.
24-Hour Home Care Can Help Your Loved One Manage Her Current Symptoms and Reduce the Risk of Others
If your loved one’s PA has advanced enough to make daily living difficult, a 24-hour home care team who can help them around the home with chores such as preparing meals, cleaning, and managing their medication might be a great solution to keep them feeling their best.
A 24-hour home care team can also support the doctor’s orders regarding preparing healthy meals and encouraging regular physical activity. They can be at home to provide any transportation needs if your loved one can no longer drive due to PA or a resulting condition. With 24-hour home care, your loved one can continue to live in their home while living with PA.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care in Bankers Hill, CA, please contact the caring staff at La Jolla Nurses Homecare today. Call (858) 454-9339
La Jolla Nurses Homecare is a top provider of home care services in San Diego, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carmel Valley, Point Loma, Bankers Hill, Mission Hills, Kensington, Coronado, University City, Pacific Beach, and all of San Diego County.
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Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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