Active living, or active life, is the way to successful arthritis management, especially among the elderly. Arthritis is a joint disease that restricts a person from carrying out daily tasks. This progressive disease has no cure. However, ortho specialists mention and recommend that exercise and the implementation of changes in lifestyle can retard the progression/development of the disease, improve mobility, and keep joints safe from damage.
Numerous practical methods will be prescribed as a preventive measure for encouraging invariability and good living in one's golden years, as well as improvement in one's sanity. Let us have a better look into them.
Arthritis in Seniors: Types and Risk Factors
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that greatly impairs mobility and other activities involving the joints in the elderly. The two most prevalent types of arthritis among the elderly are:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cushions between bones deteriorate, causing pain and stiffness. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of joints, damaging them.
Arthritis is associated with a variety of different symptoms, but the general ones are joint pain and swelling that can worsen after resting or sleeping. Seniors may also have a grinding feeling in their joints, and tenderness and decreased function may affect daily activities.
Several risk factors for this condition include:
- Age
- Genetic predisposition
- Lifestyle factors like obesity
Knowing these factors allows for taking steps to lessen the impact of arthritis, leading to a more informed management approach.
Also Read: Strategic Approached to Protecting Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Joints
How Arthritis Impacts Routine Life for Seniors
Arthritis in the elderly is one of the most severely debilitating afflictions affecting their daily lives. It restricts mobility, causes stiffness and pain in the joints, and obstructs various movements and activities.
Let us look at its main impacts on daily life:
- Joint restrictions may also develop into a vicious cycle in which less activity is associated with more stiffness, making it even more difficult to remain active.
- Apart from chronic pain, the other hurdle to tackle is the chronic pain state—persistent discomfort. This type of acute discomfort can result in decreased life quality, affecting activities that were once enjoyed. This ongoing pain can also make you sleep poorly and could lead to fatigue, further disrupting routines.
- Arthritis not only has physical effects and challenges but also can affect individuals' mental health. The ongoing pain and mobility issues over time will bring about irritation and a lack of hope. The majority of older people with arthritis may face depression and anxiety since suffering from the condition affects not only their bodies but also their minds. This lack/loss of independence experienced—requiring help to do basic and regular everyday activities—can amplify and heighten these feelings even more.
- Everyday tasks can become more difficult due to arthritis-imposed limitations. For example:
- You may require help to do your tasks in the kitchen.
- Bathing poses fall risks and may need additional support.
- Limited joint mobility makes dressing challenging.
Fortunately, with the right strategies, you can address these challenges, maintain your independence, and enhance the quality of your life.
Top 4 Strategies in Arthritis Management for Seniors
Besides implementing exercise, nutrition, assistive devices, and alternative treatments as individual strategies, arthritis management for seniors also involves the combination of these measures. Each of these contributes significantly to symptom reduction and improvement in well-being:
1. Exercise and Physical Activity
Exercise helps to relax stiff joints and keeps them flexible; simple tasks such as walking short distances between rooms at home, swimming a few laps, or doing some minimal stretching really help. For the elderly who are mobility impaired, chair yoga would also be suitable.
These activities can help make exercise enjoyable and easy to incorporate throughout the years, providing different opportunities and terrains for navigating life with arthritis.
2. Diet and Weight Management
Keeping your weight under the necessary scale could avoid unwanted stress in your joints, thereby relieving the associated pain and discomfort. Nutrition-rich foods are a great source of antioxidants that are capable of stimulating the body's own anti-inflammatory mechanisms, being present in good amounts in fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, with omega-3 derived from fatty fish, e.g., salmon.
Eating healthy may even be as simple as taking in whole grains and lean protein from chicken or tofu, while processed foods with added sugars or anything even vaguely resembling processed food should be avoided since these promote inflammation.
3. Assistive Devices
Assistive devices alleviate the burden on the joints and improve/provide independence, safety, and functionality. Canes and walkers are mobility aids that provide stability and reduce fall risk through even weight distribution and reduced pressure on the joints. Ergonomic utensils, such as special cutlery and jar openers, simplify tasks like eating, minimising the strain on the hand and wrist. Thus, these devices enable you to carry out daily activities with less pain and discomfort, allowing you to lead a more engaged and active lifestyle.
4. Joint Protection Techniques
Simple task adjustments can make a big difference in protecting your joints. For example, lifting with larger joints, like elbows, instead of fingers helps distribute the load evenly. Proper posture also reduces unnecessary joint and muscle strain.
Living With Arthritis: Empowering Seniors Through Expert Care
In conclusion, effective arthritis management for seniors requires dedication and informed choices. Active living will challenge the constraints of arthritis, allowing you to reclaim mobility and independence.
You can thrive and live a full life despite the challenges that arthritis brings. At Sri Balaji Hospital, one of the top ortho hospitals in Chennai, we provide comprehensive medical care to manage and halt the progression of arthritis. Our expert team offers both surgical and non-surgical ortho-related care to take control of your health journey.
Never let your condition define you. Take charge and live life to the fullest—contact us today to take the first step towards better arthritis management!
