Arthritis is a common ailment that causes pain and inflammation in the joints, making it difficult for the person to move about. Patients with arthritis usually complain of stiffness and pain in the knees, ankles, hands, and hips. While there is no cure for arthritis yet, there are very effective ways to treat this ailment, as well as helpful tips on how you can provide some degree of comfort or relief to the patient—which is more than enough for now.
There are ten tips on how to help arthritis patients at home and make them more comfortable
1. Make Sure They Get Enough Rest
A person with arthritis can find it difficult to do daily activities like getting out of bed, walking, and standing up straight. It is important that you make sure they get a sufficient amount of sleep or rest so their body can be energized for the next day.
2. Take Them for Regular Check-Ups
It’s important to monitor the condition of your loved one who has arthritis, so schedule regular visits at their doctor, so you know how far the disease has progressed. This will give you an idea of what kind of treatment your loved ones need, medications they can take while at home, and which ones should be administered by a professional only.
3. Serve Nutritious Food Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Your loved one should eat food that is rich in vitamins and minerals because it will provide them with natural anti-inflammatory benefits. Certain foods like salmon, fruits, vegetables, ginger, garlic, onions, black pepper oil, whole grains are all great for your arthritis patient’s diet plan.
4. Encourage Them to Exercise but Do It Gradually
Your loved one’s doctor will recommend physical activities like walking, swimming, and cycling to restore their joint health. It is important that they follow the instructions of their doctor, so they can enjoy a safe and effective exercise program. Your arthritis patient may not feel up for it at first, but gradually introduce the activity, so they get used to it.
5. Keep the House Clean and Organized
An organized and clean environment will allow your loved one with arthritis to navigate through their area without too much trouble. You can put some furniture or appliances not in use on storage racks, so they don’t take space, and you can easily get them when needed. Putting away things that are rarely used will also provide a lot more open space for your arthritis patient.
6. Keep Up with Their Medical Supplies
Make sure you have enough medical supplies in the house, like their medications and orthopedic aids. This will give your loved ones more convenience because they won’t have to go out just to get their medication or visit their doctor. You can also find retailers that offer the best medical products at home.
7. Be Patient and Loving
When you’re dealing with arthritis, the last thing they need is someone nagging them about what they can or can’t do. Your presence as a caring friend or family member who will consistently check on them will give them comfort and confidence, knowing that they have someone by their side to rely on.
8. Provide Comfort and Warmth
Your loved one is already feeling the pain of arthritis, so make sure they feel at ease in their space. Providing comfort means providing them with pillows for their back, heating pads, massage therapy, warm bath—you name it. There are also several products you can buy that will help give your loved one with arthritis an environment that’s welcoming even if they’re experiencing discomfort.
9. Make Adjustments on Their Daily Routine
Arthritis patients may not be able to do certain things without some form of assistance, so think of ways on how you can assist them with what they need. If preparing food is difficult for your loved one because it requires standing up too long or using their hands, you can help make other arrangements like providing food delivery or preparing their meals ahead of time.
10. Attend to Their Emotional and Psychological Needs
Just like how arthritis affects your loved one physically, it can also affect their emotional and psychological well-being. You should check in with them regularly, maintain open communication with them, show that you’re there for them through thick or thin, give them compliments on what they do right, listen when they need to talk.
Arthritis can be a challenging ailment to live with, both physically and emotionally. These ten tips will help make taking care of an arthritis patient at home a little easier for you. Remember to be patient and loving, as your loved one is already going through a lot. Be sure to provide them with comfort and warmth and the necessary medical supplies they need. Most importantly, always stay open to communication, so they know they can rely on you.
