Know the Facts About Arthritis in Elderly Adults

By Jamie Shapiro | August 24, 2016 | Comments Off on Know the Facts About Arthritis in Elderly Adults

Elderly Care in Buffalo Grove IL

Arthritis is a common health problem for elderly adults. The achy joints that this condition causes can make it very difficult for the elder to take care of themselves. Even brushing their hair and Elderly-Care-in-Buffalo-Grove-ILteeth can prove to be a challenging task. An elderly care provider may be needed to help your loved one accomplish household and personal tasks in order to continue living an independent life, while getting the help needed.

The intensity of the pain usually depends on the location of the arthritis and can be gradual or sudden. No matter what form of arthritis is affecting your loved one’s life, knowing more about the disease will give you the information needed to help care for your aging parent.

Types of Arthritis

If your loved one has not been officially diagnosed with arthritis yet, you may be wondering what form of this condition they could be suffering from. Here are the most common types of arthritis and their symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

This is the most popular form of arthritis and occurs when the bones and cartilage in the joints start to break down. Its symptoms include:

  • Stiffness
  • Aches and pains
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Swelling

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, which is caused when the immune system begins to attack healthy cells in the body on accident. The symptoms are:

  • Weight loss
  • Exhaustion or fatigue
  • Fever
  • Pain in more than one  joint
  • Stiffness in more than one joint
  • Swollen, tender joints

 

Fibromyalgia

This health condition takes place on its own or with other medical problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle pain throughout the body
  • Depression
  • Several tender areas
  • Problems with the thinking process, such as memory loss, confusion, and lack of concentration

 

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors that will increase your loved one’s chance of having the disease, some are preventable and some are not.

  • Being a woman
  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Joint injuries
  • Being overweight
  • Occupations that require frequent squatting and bending the knees
  • Infections

 

Coping with the Disease

Luckily, there are several ways arthritis can be treated in order to manage the pain and continue living a full, independent life. Some of these treatment options include:

  • Medications
  • Occupational or physical therapy
  • Joint assistive aids or splints
  • Having a support system
  • Becoming educated on the disease
  • Losing weight
  • Surgery

Arthritis can take its toll on the lives of elderly adults, so knowing how to manage the condition can help improve their life. Talk to your loved one’s doctor to find out which treatment plan is the perfect solution for your elderly parent.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Buffalo Grove, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/index.html

Jamie Shapiro
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