Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects many people around the globe. Approximately 50% of elderly individuals report having been diagnosed with arthritis. Ideally, arthritis pain can negatively affect a person’s quality of life and significantly reduce mobility. It can also be attributed to various factors including wear and tear on joint cushioning (osteoarthritis), an excess of uric acid in the blood (metabolic arthritis), or the body’s immune system attacking itself (inflammatory arthritis).
While certain lifestyle factors may offer some protection against osteoarthritis, healthy seniors are not immune to developing the condition. Arthritis can affect individuals of all ages, but it is more prevalent among seniors due to the natural wearing down of joint cartilage over time. Senior home care services provide assistance for seniors with rheumatoid arthritis, promoting safety and ease of living, while also providing peace of mind for their loved ones.
Common Types of Arthritis
There are two major types of arthritis that are common in seniors. This includes rheumatoid and osteoarthritis arthritis. Ideally, osteoarthritis arthritis normally occurs when the cartilage that helps to keep bones from grinding each other starts breaking down. This leads to swelling and more pain in the joints. This simple wear and tear can continue over years and this lead to arthritis.
On the other hand, Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when the person’s immune system starts attacking joints. This causes inflammation and pain in the points, especially in the foot and hand joints.
Other types of arthritis experienced by seniors include septic arthritis, reactive arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, thumb arthritis, reactive arthritis, and gout.
How Senior Home Care Can Help
The best treatment of arthritis is early detection and managing the condition. Hiring a senior home care provider can help your loved one tremendously with routine chores they may now struggle with, like household cleaning. Sweeping, scrubbing, making repairs, and dusting – all these tasks are not possible or done easily by someone with arthritis. A caregiver may assist with housekeeping duties to alleviate the burden on their client and reduce the risk of injury.
Doctor’s Appointments
It can be difficult for seniors with arthritis to drive. However, with senior home care, your loved one does not need to depend on public transportation when visiting doctors. Caregivers can drive your senior to visit doctors, pick up medication, and even go to the market to shop for groceries.
Medication
Individuals who have arthritis may experience difficulties in remembering to take their medications or may encounter challenges in opening their medication bottles. Senior home care can assist clients to apply pain-relieving lotions to areas where they cannot reach by themselves.
It’s important to remember that arthritis can be managed, but it cannot be cured. With the right care and treatment, seniors with arthritis can continue living an independent and satisfying life. Senior home care can be a helpful option for those who want to maintain their independence while managing arthritis pain.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable Senior Home Care in San Diego, CA, and the surrounding communities.
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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