In-Home Personal Care For Arthritic Seniors

Osteoarthritis causes joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain. It can develop in people of all ages, but it tends to be more common as people age. If you were diagnosed with arthritis, then you may face challenges when performing your activities of daily living. Because of this, you may be unable to live in your home without assistance. Here are some advantages of hiring an in-home personal care provider to assist you so that you can cope better with the symptoms of your arthritis. 

Dressing, Bathing, Grooming, And Eating Assistance

Because osteoarthritis can cause severe pain and weakness in your hands and wrists, you may be unable to independently dress, bathe, and perform grooming tasks such as combing your hair and brushing your teeth. Gripping a comb or toothbrush can cause severe pain, as can holding an eating utensil. The in-home personal care provider can provide the support you need so that you can efficiently perform your activities of daily living. In addition, because osteoarthritis can cause pain and weakness in your hands and wrists, you may be unable to effectively prepare your meals. The caregiver can prepare your meals for you, or they can simply do the prep work such as chopping vegetables and opening food packages and cans.

Addressing Mobility Challenges

Osteoarthritis not only affects the hands and wrists, but it also affects the hip, knees, and feet. This can cause mobility problems and raise the risk of falls and injuries. Your in-home personal care provider can assist you when ambulating, and they can also recommend mild forms of exercises that can help enhance your leg strength, promote circulation, and relieve pain.

If you are wheelchair-bound because of advanced osteoarthritis, the in-home personal care professional will help you stand up and pivot from your wheelchair to your bed, chair, or toilet so that you feel safe and secure. Your caregiver will also make sure that you wear comfortable proper-fitting shoes with non-skid soles. This will help you feel more steady on your feet, enhance your balance and posture, and relieve osteoarthritis-related foot pain.

If you have osteoarthritis or another type of degenerative joint disease and are unable to effectively perform your activities of daily living, consider hiring an in-home personal care provider. Doing so will allow you to focus more on the things you enjoy, provide you with peace of mind, and may also result in newfound companionship and friendship with your healthcare provider.

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