While prescription medications can be helpful in treating arthritis symptoms, there are also natural remedies that might alleviate the discomfort, pain, and stiffness your senior loved one is feeling. If you provide care for a family member with arthritis, try these natural remedies.
Cold Compresses
Because arthritis joint pain is caused by inflammation, most natural remedies focus on reducing this specific symptom. Cold compresses or ice packs can be applied to painful joints for 15 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation. Wait at least 30 minutes between cold treatments.
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 senior home care. Kennebunk, ME, families trust Align Home Care 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.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These inflammation-reducing antioxidants are found in fish (particularly salmon and tuna), avocados, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts. The acids block the production of certain enzymes that cause inflammation. As an added bonus, omega-3 fatty acids are also great for heart and brain health.
Massage
Clinical research on the benefits of massage found that both self-massage and massage performed by a licensed therapist reduced pain and stiffness and increased overall function and range of motion for those with arthritis.
Gentle Exercise
While strenuous movement may be difficult for seniors with arthritis, gentle workouts can reduce pain and increase mobility. Some of the best options include swimming, water aerobics, stretching, and yoga. Talk with your loved one’s doctor to make sure it’s safe for your parent to exercise.
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 Align Home Care, a leading provider of elder care. Align Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Weight Loss
If your family member is overweight or obese, losing weight safely may reduce or eliminate arthritis symptoms because there will be less pressure on the joints. A healthy diet that results in a 10- to 20-pound weight loss is often effective.
Heat Therapy
Applying moist heat can relieve arthritis pain by relaxing muscles and stimulating circulation in the affected areas. Try a heating pad or a warm, damp towel. You can also encourage your loved one to take a hot bath or shower to relieve 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. Kennebunk seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. If your loved one needs professional care, Align Home Care is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (207) 606-8419 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.