Estimates are that more than 15% of all seniors have arthritis or osteoarthritis. For seniors living at home, arthritis can make everyday tasks painful and difficult. Especially tasks like getting dressed, driving and going to the doctor. When seniors are in too much pain to go to the doctor for routine medical care they often skip it, which then leads to more pain. But there is a solution. If your senior parent has arthritis and finds it too difficult or painful to get dressed often or go out to the doctor’s office, skilled nursing care services may be able to help. With skilled nursing care, seniors can get medical treatment at home from a licensed nurse or medical professional.
Seniors who suffer from symptoms of arthritis-like:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Loss of flexibility
- Grating sensation
- Bone spurs
- Swelling
They can get treatment and help for their pain at home. Some of the ways that skilled nursing care can help seniors who are aging in place with arthritis are:
Pain Management
One of the most important ways that nurses can help seniors with arthritis is effective pain management. A skilled nursing care provider will assess your senior parent’s pain levels, taking into account factors such as the type and severity of arthritis, location of pain, and impact on daily activities. Based on this assessment they can implement personalized pain management. Pain management for seniors at home may include administering prescribed medications, applying heat or cold therapy, teaching relaxation techniques, and recommending assistive devices to alleviate discomfort.
Joint Protection
Skilled nursing care providers can also explain joint protection techniques to you and your senior parent so that they can minimize the strain and swelling on their joints. Helping seniors understand how to position their bodies properly and safely perform daily tasks can reduce your senior parent’s pain. It can also help your senior perform movements like sitting, standing, lifting, and reaching so they can do those things comfortably.
Range of Motion Exercises
Maintaining joint flexibility and range of motion is essential for managing arthritis and preventing stiffness. Skilled nursing care providers design tailored exercise programs that focus on gentle stretching and range of motion exercises to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness. They guide seniors through these exercises, ensuring proper technique and safety, and providing encouragement and motivation to adhere to the exercise regimen consistently.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
Nurses who provide home health care also assess your senior parent’s home environment for potential hazards. They can recommend modifications to enhance safety and accessibility. They can also show your senior parent how to properly use assistive devices like reachers, jar openers, and dressing aids so that your senior parent finds it easier to perform activities of daily living without help.
Medication Management and Monitoring
Seniors with arthritis often require heavy-duty medications to manage pain and inflammation. Nurses play a key role in medication management by ensuring seniors take their medications as prescribed, monitoring for any side effects or adverse reactions, and coordinating with healthcare providers to adjust medication regimens as needed. Because some pain medications are heavily restricted, your senior parent may need a medical professional to dispense that medication for them.
Sources: https://www.verywellhealth.com/arthritis-prevalence-and-statistics-189356
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/osteoarthritis/osteoarthritis
If you or an aging loved one are considering Skilled Nursing Care Services in Galion OH, please get in touch with the caring staff at Central Star Home Health today. Call 419-756-9449
Central Star Home Health is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Ohio including Ashland, Bellville, Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, Lexington, Mansfield, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Ontario, Shelby, and Willard.
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