Useful Tips For Managing Arthritis In Seniors

Interactive Caregiving  |  June 14, 2019

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Living With and Managing Arthritis

Arthritis In Seniors | Arthritis is chronic inflammation affecting one or more joints, fairly common in older adults. It is estimated that one in every five adults suffers from arthritis. To help raise awareness on how this disease is identified, diagnosed, and managed successfully, Comfort Keepers brings you the following article.

Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis in Seniors

Typically, the first signs of arthritis include joint redness, swelling, pain, stiffness, and movement difficulties. Older adults who experience these symptoms should be encouraged to see their doctor immediately.

Arthritis in Seniors: Diagnosing the Condition

To diagnose arthritis, medical professionals may need to conduct physical exams, run blood tests and imaging, and have insight into the medical history and genetic information.

Depending on the type and severity of the condition, the medical team will proceed by developing an appropriate treatment plan. Unfortunately, arthritis is an ongoing, chronic condition that cannot be cured. However, the symptoms can be managed to reduce the condition’s impact on the patient’s quality of life.

Three Strategies for Managing Arthritis in Seniors

By introducing changes and practicing certain routines, seniors with arthritis can expect to minimize discomfort and alleviate some of the symptoms. This can include but is not limited to:

Strategy #1. Making lifestyle changes:

While some activities should be refrained from as they become difficult or dangerous, others may need to be slightly adapted. For example, seniors can use a stool in the kitchen when they want to cook but cannot stand on their feet for too long due to arthritis pain. Moreover, seniors with arthritis are often advised to use the non-affected parts of the body more often.

Strategy #2. Changing positions often:

Some types of arthritis make it excruciatingly painful to sit or work in one position for too long. This can also cause the condition to worsen. To avoid this, moving, walking, and stretching every 15 minutes can be soothing and beneficial. Some even opt for the alarm to sound every 15-20 min.

Strategy #3. Weight:

As excess weight can cause more strain on the joints, losing or maintaining a healthy weight is highly recommended.

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, overnight care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria provides in-home elderly care services

Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ system provides care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria in-home caregivers can help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Learn more about our unique service which offers respite care, overnight care, personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Quality and Accredited Respite Care for British Columbia Families

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

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