Arthritis Care Management for Seniors
More than 50 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with arthritis. With more than 100 different types, it has become more frequent as the general population ages.
Arthritis symptoms can come and go and can be mild to severe. Common arthritis symptoms can include swelling, pain, decreased range in motion, redness, or a feeling of warmth around the joints and stiffness. Arthritis can make life more complicated for seniors to stay on top of their everyday responsibilities, but there is a way to cope. Whether you or your loved one has been diagnosed with arthritis, learning about care management is important.
Arthritis Treatment:
Each type of arthritis is handled and treated differently, but there are general treatments to ease the symptoms.
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can reduce inflammation and joint pain. Being overweight is a major risk factor for types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis. Eating well and losing a few pounds may ease the discomfort and reduce the stress on joints.
- Exercise is a good way to keep your muscles strong, stay fit, and control arthritis symptoms. Exercising daily by swimming, biking, or walking can decrease pain by keeping your joints warm and increasing muscle strength.
- Focusing on range-of-motion exercises such as yoga and dancing can relieve stiffness and keep you flexible.
- Strengthening exercises such as weight training will build your muscle strength and will support and protect your joints.
- Endurance exercises will improve your heart health, prevent weight gain, and the overall working of your body.
- Applying heat or cold may ease the pain around the joints and help with inflammation.
- Surgery may also be an option that you and your doctor discuss if your joints become disabling, which would serve as the last resort. Surgeons can repair or even replace the joints with artificial options.
If you or a loved one finds themselves in the hospital after arthritis-related surgery, consider South Coast Post Acute for your rehabilitation needs. Whether it is a short or long-term stay, we pride ourselves on delivering specialized, quality care with compassion and spirit. We treat patients like family and have an unparalleled passion and commitment to ensuring our patients receive exceptional, compassionate care every time, every touch. We are the premier choice for skilled nursing communities in Southern California.
Real People. Remarkable Care. South Coast Post Acute.
