Six Ideas Seniors Can Try When Arthritis Flares

Arthritis can be truly debilitating for seniors, especially when pain flares and movement feels impossible. Many seniors with arthritis avoid moving because they don’t want to trigger pain and inflammation. But there may be other things they can try, especially when their arthritis pain is flaring. 24-hour home care providers can be there to offer support and reminders to help.

Do Gentle Stretches

Movement and exercise might feel out of reach for seniors with arthritis, especially during a flare. Gentle stretches help to keep muscles loose and warm, while also helping the joints to stay lubricated. Practicing these stretches every day can help joints to stay flexible.

Find a Comfortable Weight

Holding onto even a few extra pounds can make arthritis pain worse for aging adults. It’s impossible to lose weight immediately, of course, but seniors can try to gradually reduce excess weight over time. Eventually, they may experience fewer flares. Home care providers can help seniors find easy ways to get more active and eat healthier.

Respect Limits

During a flare, seniors have to respect their own limitations. Overdoing it or trying to force themselves to do more may make the pain worse and keep the flare going far longer than it should. 24-hour home care providers can help with this, too. Seniors can rest, allowing professional caregivers to assist with routine tasks and keep the household running.

Eat as Many Whole Foods as Possible

Processed foods along with artificial flavors and colorings may not cause an arthritis flare, but they may not be the best choices, either. Eating a diet that consists primarily of whole foods, whole grains, and lean proteins can help to reduce inflammation for seniors with arthritis. Reducing inflammation can help to reduce the risk of a flare starting up. 24-hour home care providers can help seniors plan meals and prepare them, so that there’s always something readily available.

Find Ways to Cope with Emotional Effects

Chronic health conditions have a big emotional impact on seniors. Arthritis, in particular, can be frustrating and upsetting. Often seniors can’t do many of the things they used to do, which brings with it a sense of grief. 24-hour home care providers understand the issues seniors face. They can offer companionship and emotional support that makes life easier for seniors.

Talk with Medical Providers

If flares are happening more often or they feel different than they did in the past, seniors might want to take the time to talk with their doctors about what’s happening. There may be other treatments that could help, for example. With a solid medical plan in place, flares might be less of an issue going forward.

Arthritis flares are painful and they interfere with quality of life for aging adults. 24-hour home care providers can help seniors learn to recognize the early triggers that might precede a flare, but they can also help seniors cope during a flare. Life with arthritis doesn’t have to mean giving up or doing things the hard way, either. 

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Los Altos, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.