---

Author: Debbie Humphrey

Home Care For Pain in Clearwater, FL and Surrounding Areas

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)

As a Certified Senior Advisor, I regularly meet with seniors and their families, and more often than not, pain is involved and 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 it is, can temporarily or permanently inhibit functionality and interrupt lifestyles. September is National Pain Awareness Month, and I want to review more about chronic pain and how it impacts the mental health of seniors.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says, “Chronic pain—defined as pain lasting more than three months—is a widespread public health problem. According to the U.S. Pain Foundation, roughly 50 million American adults (20% of the population) live with chronic pain. Twenty million deal with pain that disrupts their daily functioning; this is known as "high-impact pain."

Seniors are particularly vulnerable because chronic pain increases with age. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) shared statistics indicating that 65% of American seniors over the age of 65 report that they experience pain, and 30% of older adults report chronic pain. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) conducted a survey that found 78% of Medicare enrollees have chronic pain, and women experience higher rates than men.

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 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

According to NCOA, chronic pain has mental and physical consequences. Seniors who suffer from it are more likely to experience mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

In addition, other consequences of chronic pain that lead to a lower quality of life include:

• Inability to work
• Increased risk of falls
• Sleep disturbances
• Reduced appetite
• Loss of independence
• Cognitive decline

“Researchers think that the combination of reduced functioning and the consequences of living with pain result in a sense of loss, which significantly impacts mood,” explains  Yvette Colón, PhD, professor and department member of Women's & Gender Studies and Faculty Affiliate for the Aging Studies Program in the School of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University.

Chronic pain causes confusion, isolation, and loneliness among senior sufferers because it separates them from everybody and everything that they commonly knew, says Linda Shaw, author and Group lead for the U.S. Pain Foundation’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Community Support Group. “Unrelenting pain reduces your ability to concentrate, socialize, sleep, work. It robs you of your peace and your joy.”

There are ways seniors suffering from chronic pain can manage pain levels to improve their mental health and well-being aside from common pain management techniques:

• Practice a healthy lifestyle
• Get enough sleep
• Manage your stress
• Join a support group
• Educate yourself
• Seek therapy

For seniors feeling overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and hopelessness, or having thoughts of self-harm, support is available 24/7/365. Dial or text 988 on your phone to speak to a trained counselor at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or dial 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations that can help.

The exceptional caregivers at Home Helpers regularly assist seniors suffering from different levels and kinds of pain. Our home care services make life easier for seniors suffering from chronic pain.

For example, personal care can be a challenge for seniors with chronic pain, so a compassionate caregiver can make sure hygiene stays a priority. Homemaker services help keep the home environment clean and safe. Grocery shopping and meal preparation ensure seniors suffering from chronic pain eat nutritious meals and snacks, especially before pain medications are taken. Companion care for seniors who live alone or those grieving the loss of a loved one is recommended for physical and mental support and engagement.

These senior care services are a mere sample of what our highly skilled caregivers easily manage daily. I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to discuss specific ways we can help you or someone you love who contends with a variety 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 and to have received these awards in 2024: Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, as well as being named a Caring.com 2023 Caring Super Star.

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

Source:

National Council on Aging