Pain and its Impact on Seniors and their Quality of Life


Author: Debbie Humphrey

Pain: a localized or generalized unpleasant bodily sensation or complex of sensations that cause mild to severe physical discomfort and emotional distress and typically results from bodily disorder (such as injury or disease)

We’ve all experienced some sort of physical, mental, or emotional pain. Pain is a signal that something is wrong and needs repair and healing.

As a Certified Senior Advisor, I regularly meet with seniors and their families, and more often than not, they are dealing with some sort of pain that prevents them from performing activities of daily living and participating in social activities that are so important for a healthy quality of life.

The limitations pain presents, no matter what kind of pain it is, temporarily or permanently inhibits functionality and interrupts lifestyles. September is National Pain Awareness Month, and I venture an educated guess that if you’re experiencing pain, you are keenly aware of it. But there are different kinds of pain and conditions that are defined that I explain in more detail here.

Types of Pain

Acute – Acute pain is short-term lasting from a few minutes to as long as six months. It usually occurs due to a temporary illness or injury.

Chronic – Chronic pain is longer in duration and can be constant or intermittent. It is often due to a health condition, like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a a spinal condition.

Neuropathic – Neuropathic pain is due to damage to the nerves or nervous system. It is typically described as feeling like pins and needles, shooting, stabbing, or burning. Neuropathic pain is commonly considered chronic, and in severe cases, it may interfere with activities of daily living, movement, and mobility.

Nociceptive – Nociceptive pain is caused by damage to body tissues. It can be perceived as sharp, achy, or throbbing pain that is most often caused by an external injury. Nociceptive pain is that which is experienced in joints, muscles, skin, tendons, and bones, and can be both acute and chronic.

Radicular – Radicular pain radiates discomfort to different areas of the body. It occurs when the spinal nerve gets compressed or inflamed due to vertebral subluxation. Radicular pain is often described as tingling or numbness and can cause muscle weakness. This type of pain is often steady.

Common Painful Conditions

  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Diabetes
  • Neck/Back Pain
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Migraine Headaches
  • Pinched Nerves
  • Sciatica
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Grief

At Home Helpers®, our exceptional caregivers regularly assist seniors suffering from different levels and kinds of pain. Our in-home care services care make life easier for seniors suffering with pain.

Personal care can be a problem for seniors with arthritis or vision impairments, so a compassionate caregiver can help make sure hygiene stays a priority. Homemaker services help keep their homes clean and safe. Grocery shopping and meal preparation ensures seniors in pain eat nutritious meals and snacks, especially before pain medications are taken. Recuperative care and support for stroke recovery are critical for a speedier recovery. Companion care for seniors who live alone or those who have lost a loved one and are grieving is recommended for physical and mental support and engagement.

These senior care services are a mere sample of what our highly skilled caregivers can easily manage. I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to discuss specific ways we can help you or someone you love who contends with any number of painful conditions.

We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2023 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2023, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2023, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Award 2023.

We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539

Source:

Beaumont Health

Merriam-Webster

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