Arthritis is one of the most common diseases among seniors, and it can affect their movements and comfort levels. Before your aging loved one agrees to take medication to control the condition, try some of the natural remedies mentioned below. These techniques can treat inflammation, make it easier to move around and handle daily tasks, and boost quality of life.
Exercise
Physical movements can help aging adults with arthritis increase their flexibility and strength and combat feelings of fatigue and chronic pain. Your loved one should start slowly and build the routine up over time. The best exercises to remedy various symptoms of arthritis are walking, swimming, stretching, and cycling. It would be best for your loved one to avoid high-impact activities. Taking on low-impact movements like walking doesn’t pressure the body as much as other exercises, and the activities can boost circulation.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one exercise safely. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Heat & Ice
When it comes to lubricating the joints and relaxing the muscles, applying heat is an excellent choice. Some types of heat therapy include using a heating pad or relaxing in a warm bath. Your loved one shouldn’t become reliant on heating devices. He or she can also use cold compresses as a healthy alternative. Ice or cool gel pads can reduce inflammation and swelling and take away pain and tenderness.
Home caregivers can help seniors with daily tasks that are challenging because of arthritis pain. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care service. Philadelphia, PA, families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Aromatherapy
Some of the most popular scents can alleviate muscle and joint pain, enhance sleeping habits, and boost quality of life. When choosing essential oils, your parent should consider using lavender, ginger, basil, and eucalyptus scents. He or she can purchase aroma candles or use a humidifier when having an aromatherapy session. Merely breathing in the scents can alleviate arthritis symptoms like pain and stiffness.
Muscle Manipulation
When it comes to easing joint pain, muscle manipulation is an excellent remedy for older adults. The techniques take the joints through a range of motions and reduce stiffness. When the muscles are no longer tight, it can benefit your loved one’s comfort levels and alleviate some arthritic pain. Before having a massage, your parent should speak with his or her primary care physician to determine what forms of massage are the best and what types of body manipulation to avoid.
Meditation
When developing a meditation routine, your loved one should start off small and meditate for between five and ten minutes per day. The key is consistency. Some techniques to focus on when meditating are controlled breathing and redirecting attention from pain to positive thoughts. There are a variety of meditation practices your loved one can take up, such as yoga, chanting, and deep breathing. Regular meditation can help your loved one relax his or her mind, reduce muscle pain, and reflect on positive thoughts that increase the release of feel-good hormones, lower anxiety levels, and naturally treat arthritis symptoms.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Philadelphia seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. Call Home Care Assistance today at (215) 645-4663 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.