Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the elderly. It is a degenerative joint disease that causes the joint tissues to break down over the years. The damage created to the joints of the body can include problems with the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones within a joint, the tendons and ligaments within a joint, and the lining of the joint. A personal care provider can help your loved one remain in her home by assisting her with personal care activities that she might not be able to do on her own due to the pain and swelling that often comes from osteoarthritis.
While anyone can develop osteoarthritis, those who are obese, have performed repetitive movements with a joint throughout their lives, or have a family history of osteoarthritis are more likely to develop the condition as they get older.
Five Common Areas of the Body Affected by Osteoarthritis
If your loved one has osteoarthritis, the most common locations where it can affect the body are the lower back area, neck, hips, knees, and hands (especially the ends of the fingers and at the base and ends of the thumbs). Some people develop osteoarthritis in just one area of the body whereas others have multiple areas affected by the disease.
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
The disease will affect different people at different levels. For some older adults, osteoarthritis is fairly mild and doesn’t interfere with day-to-day activities. For others, it can cause a lot of pain and lead to the inability to perform some regular daily activities. Joint damage usually worsens gradually over the years.
Common symptoms of the disease include:
- Joint stiffness in the early morning after waking or after resting for a significant matter of time. The stiffness usually gets better within 30 minutes or so.
- Pain when using the joint in certain manners. Depending on which joint it is affected, it can cause pain when twisting, lifting, or bending. As the disease progresses, the joint pain may bother your loved one at night as well.
- Swelling around the joint, especially if it has recently been used for a lot of activity.
- Consistent stiffness or a loss of the ability to fully move the joint as it should.
Helping Your Loved One Stay Independent With Osteoarthritis
Having osteoarthritis can severely limit the activities that your loved one can do on her own. From making fine motor movements difficult to reducing her ability to get around her home, it can feel like it’ll limit her ability to remain independent and enjoy her home.
A personal care provider can help your loved one get dressed each morning by buttoning buttons, tying shoes, and even helping with styling hair and putting on jewelry.
After your loved one is dressed and ready to face the day, her personal care provider can assist in other areas around the home as well, helping with chopping vegetables for lunch, assisting her with laundry, or stepping in and providing support in many ways. With a personal care provider, your loved one will receive the help they need in their home so that they can remain independent without having to neglect certain chores or activities because their osteoarthritis is acting up.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care Services in Lancaster City PA, please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Lancaster today. Call (717) 391-6363
Extended Family Care Lancaster is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Lancaster, Pennsylvania including Columbia, Elizabethtown, Ephrata, Hershey, Lebanon, Lititz, Manheim, New Holland, and Paradise.
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