While pain isn’t necessarily a normal part of aging, it’s far too common among the elderly. Many seniors fail to report their pain to their loved ones, caregivers, and doctors for various reasons, such as not wanting to be a burden or fear that the pain is indicative of a bigger issue. Here are a few things you can do to help your aging loved one address pain.
1. Encourage Physical Activity
It may seem counterintuitive at first, but remaining active can combat chronic pain. Seniors who live sedentary lifestyles experience muscle weakness, which can make walking, rolling over in bed, and performing other basic movements difficult and lead to chronic pain.
Remaining active throughout the senior years keeps excess weight at bay, another factor that can lead to pain. Encourage your loved one to move around as often as possible, go on walks, take up an active hobby, or spend more time playing with the grandkids.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Consider Physical Therapy
Seeing a physical therapist can help with pain management. A therapist may suggest water therapy, yoga, stretching, weight training, and movements that alleviate pain in certain parts of the body. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about whether physical therapy is a potential option.
3. Promote Relaxation
Stress can add to your loved one’s pain or prevent his or her body from recovering from a painful condition properly. It causes inflammation in the body, increases blood pressure, and leads to tensed muscles. Help your loved one find ways to relax, whether it’s getting regular massages, taking a vacation, or spending some quiet time doing favorite activities.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to help your parent relax and alleviate pain. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of senior home care. Montgomery Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
4. Suggest Medication
Consult with your loved one’s doctor before suggesting any kind of medication regimen for pain, especially when using medicines for long-term treatment or narcotics that can become addictive. It’s also important to be aware of any side effects and potential interactions with other medications your loved one may be taking as well as how the new medication could impact other conditions. For example, some NSAIDs are dangerous for people with high blood pressure.
5. Explore Alternative Treatments
If your loved one wants to look beyond traditional medications for pain management, there are plenty of alternative options to consider. For example, acupuncture is very common. Hypnosis, massage therapy, and chiropractic care are a few other treatment plans worth considering. Cold laser therapy, as the name suggests, uses cold lasers to promote healing and reduce pain in damaged tissue.
Older adults living with chronic pain may face difficulties managing daily tasks. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Montgomery seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers. Call us today at (334) 593-3988 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.