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How Elderly Care Can Help a Senior with Arthritis

Elderly Care in Summit NJ: Caring for Seniors with Arthritis
Elderly Care in Summit NJ: Caring for Seniors with Arthritis

Arthritis is a common and painful condition that causes inflammation in the joints. There are several different kinds of arthritis. The two most common kinds are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 50 percent of older adults reported that they had been diagnosed with some form of arthritis between the years of 2013 and 2015. They estimate that by 2040, there will be 78 million cases of arthritis in adults. Arthritis can be so painful that it makes doing some things difficult, or even impossible for some older adults. If your aging relative is suffering from arthritis, there are many ways an elderly care provider can help them to live a better quality of life. Here are just a few of the things elderly care providers can do for seniors with arthritis.

Elderly Care in Summit NJ: Caring for Seniors with Arthritis
Elderly Care in Summit NJ: Caring for Seniors with Arthritis

Keeping the House Tidy.

Arthritis can make it hard for a senior to take care of basic housekeeping duties. Painful knees might make it difficult to kneel down to clean spills off the floor. Sore hands can make doing dishes hard, which can result in dropped and broken dishes. An elderly care provider can take care of most household tasks, including vacuuming, mopping floors, dusting, dishes, and more.

Helping with Dressing.

When arthritis affects the joints of the hands, older adults can lose some of their fine motor skills. This can make it difficult to fasten clothing. They may be unable to work zippers and buttons. Tying shoes can be hard, too. An elderly care provider can provide as much assistance as necessary to help a senior get dressed. They can help with the entire process, or simply button a shirt or tie shoes.

Mobility Assistance.

A person with arthritis might have trouble getting around on their own. They may need assistance getting up from chairs or walking safely from one room to another. An elderly care provider can lend a supportive arm to assist a senior with getting up. They can also walk older adults from room to room or up and down stairs to prevent falls.

Grooming and Bathing.

Depending on which joints are affected, the movements needed to adequately wash or bathe can be a problem. It may also be hard to shave, style hair, or brush teeth. An elderly care provider can assist a senior with bathing while also preserving their dignity. They can also help with grooming tasks that require fine motor skills and steady hands, like shaving.

These things are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the things an elderly care provider can do for an older adult with arthritis. If there is a task your aging relative needs help with, ask their elderly care provider if they can assist. Chances are, they can!

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elderly care in Summit, NJ, call the caring staff at Helping Hands Home Care today at 908-418-4299. Providing Home Care Services in all of Northern and Central NJ, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside and the surrounding areas.

 

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772

https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis-related-stats.htm

https://www.verywell.com/arthritis-affects-daily-living-activities-189933

 

Robert D'Arienzo

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