Pain Management for Seniors with Arthritis

While arthritis is a life-long condition, the pain does not have to be a constant part of life for seniors. As a provider of home health care in Gaithersburg, Maryland, we often help our senior clients with their pain management for arthritis.

Contrary to popular belief, medication is not always the first step to pain management with arthritis. As a provider of in-home care, here are the steps we take when it comes to pain management:

• Management of modifiable risk factors
  This includes weight loss and nutritional counseling. Losing weight can help reduce the pressure on the joints and reduce pain scores.
• Education and management of expectations
  It is important to avoid needlessly discouraging patients. Without proper education, some clients may think exercise is not good and that it will wear out their joints some more.
• Nonpharmacologic treatments
  These include specific exercises and physical therapy to help maintain function and range of motion. These can also improve balance and coordination. Some may benefit from strength training, yoga, tai chi, and other exercises.
• Pharmacologic options
  The use of topical agents and pain medications is the final step. It should be noted that some topical medications may cause a burning sensation while some oral medications have certain levels of toxicity, especially with comorbidities.

Are you in need of a home health aide in Maryland to help you manage your arthritis pain? We at Sheriff In-Home Care LLC have skilled home health aides who can help maintain your optimum level of health and wellness.

We are a provider of healthcare in Maryland offering a wide range of services, including skilled nursing and companionship.