The risk of developing chronic pain increases with age. Living with pain makes it harder for older adults to perform their normal daily activities, and you may even see your senior loved one’s personality change if he or she is always hurting. Keep reading to learn about five things that can lead to chronic pain along with a few suggestions for increasing your loved one’s level of comfort.
1. Injuries
When people are younger, their bodies tend to heal quickly from injuries. However, for older adults, minor injuries often lead to lingering pain. Back injuries are the most common type of injury that causes chronic pain in older adults, and they can strike any portion of the back. Seniors should try to keep their muscles and joints strong and flexible to prevent injuries. If seniors do get injured, it’s important for them to follow their treatment plans so their bodies can heal completely.
2. Nerve Damage
When nerves are damaged, seniors may experience different types of pain. The pain associated with nerve damage may sometimes shoot from one area of the body to another. A person may also feel burning or “pins and needles” sensations. Nerve damage can be caused by untreated diabetes. If your loved one has diabetes, help him or her set up a healthy diet and exercise plan and, if necessary, assist with monitoring his or her blood sugar levels and taking medication.
If you need an occasional break from helping your loved one prepare nutritious meals, exercise, and manage medications, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. Montgomery respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
3. Arthritis
Arthritis pain can become severe enough to hinder the ability to perform daily tasks. Although arthritis tends to develop as part of the normal aging process, your loved one can do things to ease the pain. Stretching exercises can keep the joints limber, and your loved one may need to take medication to treat health conditions that exacerbate the symptoms.
4. Migraines
Headaches can happen multiple times a day, and some seniors find them so debilitating that the only form of relief comes from resting in a dark room. Your loved one should always have any new or unusual headaches checked out because they could be signs of a stroke. Migraines can also be caused by dehydration or an unhealthy diet. Ensure your loved one drinks enough water throughout the day and avoids known triggers, such as caffeine and alcohol.
Aging adults who experience migraines and other forms of chronic pain can benefit greatly from having professional caregivers help with everyday tasks. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
5. Digestive Disorders
The digestive system can generate different types of chronic pain. Your loved one’s digestive system may have slowed down and led to issues with stomach pain and heartburn. Seniors with disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome may also experience painful cramps or shooting pains in the abdominal area. If your loved one is diagnosed with a digestive disorder, help him or her follow the doctor’s recommended plan for eating a proper diet. In many cases, chronic pain from digestive disorders can be managed with simple dietary changes, especially eliminating foods that trigger the symptoms.
In Montgomery, at-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (334) 593-3988 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.