What Can Your Senior Do for Joint Pain?
Updated: Jun 23, 2018
Joint pain can be debilitating for your aging adult, especially if this is a new situation for her. Figuring out what works for your elderly family member in particular might involve some trial and error, but it's definitely something that is worth taking the time to investigate.
Talk to Her Doctor First
Whether the joint pain your senior is experiencing is a new issue or an old, familiar problem, talk to her doctor. He may have some additional advice or treatment options that can be beneficial for your aging adult. It's also important to understand what medications your senior is taking now and how treatments you're planning to try might affect those medications.
Over-the-counter Medications
Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be something that helps your senior with her joint pain. These medications do have side effects, even though they're available without a prescription, so it's important to make sure you're paying attention to the label instructions.
Ice and Heat
Using alternating rounds of heat therapy and ice therapy can be very effective for helping joint pain. Heating pads are an easy way to apply heat directly to a specific joint. Rice packs that you can heat up in the microwave can also be effective. Small gel ice packs are great to keep on hand in the freezer because they conform easily to joints and they freeze again quickly.
Exercise and Physical Therapy
Sometimes people who have joint pain worry that exercise will make it worse. Appropriate exercise can help so very much, though. It warms up the synovial fluid in the joint and helps to reduce inflammation. Something else to consider is trying physical therapy. Physical therapists can help your elderly family member to target specific issues she's having. Often just having a home care companion to help with short walks inside or outside is a great solution to stay mobile.
Taking it Easy
In some ways, your aging family member may be doing way more than she should be, particularly at home. Hiring home care providers for her gives her someone who can help her around the house and relieve some of that burden for her. this can allow your elderly family member to rest a little more than she might have been resting.
You may want to also look for adaptive devices that make life easier for your aging adult when joint pain is flaring up. Door knob covers, jar openers, and all sorts of other devices can tackle the bulk of the activity for your senior.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Berea, please talk to the caring staff at Avalon Home Health Care today. Call us at (440) 863 -3609.