How to Address Chronic Pain in the Elderly
Seniors can find it hard to deal with pain. They usually have more than one health problem and take more than one prescription drug, each of which can have side effects. After a thorough exam, the doctor will come up with a treatment plan for your elderly loved one’s chronic pain that may include the following steps.
Correct Nutritional Deficiencies
Age-related taste and smell changes, medication side effects, neurological issues, and depression can cause appetite loss. Losing your appetite can deprive you of nutrients, causing joint and muscle pain. If your loved one doesn’t get enough vitamin C, D, magnesium, or B12, arthritis pain and inflammation may increase.
A physical exam and blood tests can reveal how well your loved one is eating. Nutritional shakes and vitamins and minerals can correct deficiencies and relieve chronic pain. Seniors may struggle with ageing in place.
Some need part-time help with exercise or cooking, while others need live-in care for serious illnesses. In-home senior care leader Home Care Assistance is well-deserved.
As new information becomes available, we create care plans for each senior and train our carers. We take care of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other seniors.
Use NSAIDs
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of chronic pain in older people. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work very well to relieve pain and joint inflammation. They are usually well-tolerated and easy to get. Talk to the doctor before your parent starts taking NSAIDs if he or she takes prescription anticoagulants to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can increase the risk of abnormal bleeding if they are taken with anticoagulant drugs.
Assess for Depression
Depression increases pain. Watch for crying, changes in appetite and sleep, withdrawal from friends and family, and loss of interest in hygiene. If you see any of these signs, talk to your friend or family member about how they feel. Visit a doctor if a loved one is depressed.
The doctor may refer your loved one to a mental health professional for further testing and treatment. Depression treatment may alleviate pain. Ensure your loved one exercises daily.
This prevents depression and anxiety. Daily exercise may reduce pain, stiffness, balance issues, and muscle weakness. Professional carers help your loved one exercise safely and comfortably. Every senior needs different in-home care. Home Care Assistance can help families create care plans for their elderly relatives.
Our holistic Balanced Care Method encourages seniors to eat well, exercise, and maintain strong social connections. Our Cognitive Therapeutics Method uses brain-stimulating activities to prevent cognitive decline and dementia.
Consider Chiropractic Care
If your loved one can’t tolerate NSAIDs or prescription painkillers, consider chiropractic care for chronic pain.
Chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic massages can help older people manage pain. Chiropractic massages relieve sore muscles and increase blood flow to injured areas.
Massage and spinal adjustments can help you sleep. Seniors often can’t sleep due to chronic pain. Good sleep helps seniors avoid daytime sleepiness, reduces anxiety, depression, and systemic inflammation, which can cause chronic pain.
Home carers can help seniors with chronic pain. Home care workers help seniors. Trusted in-home carers can improve the quality of life for seniors, whether they need 24/7 supervision or just help with exercise and housework a few days a week.