With age, disability, or injury, daily household activities and chores can become difficult. One of the most common problems afflicting seniors is arthritis. The CDC says arthritis is the most common disability for US adults. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion that worsen as people get older. Arthritis causes permanent joint changes which may be visible but often are only seen on X-rays. Certain types of arthritis can even affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, and skin. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is the wear and tear damage to cartilage found in your joints. Cartilage acts as a cushion for the ends of your bones to allow nearly frictionless joint motion, but once enough damage has occurred, bone can grind directly on bone and cause serious pain and movement restriction. Generally, wear and tear occurs over many years, but it can be caused by a joint injury or infection. Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint by changing the shape of the bone and deteriorating connective tissue that had previously been protected by cartilage.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Every joint in the body has a tough membrane that encapsulates all the joint parts. This lining can become inflamed and swollen when the body’s immune system attacks the lining for unknown reasons. This type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis and can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint due to the lining being constantly inflamed and swollen.
Younger people rarely even realize that they are doing such seemingly simple activities as walking, taking the stairs, kneeling, bending, stooping, or gripping items such as a hairbrush or cup. But as people age and arthritis becomes an issue, these simple movements become much more difficult and interfere with a senior’s ability to take care of other supposedly simple tasks like dressing oneself, bathing, tying shoes, and moving on and off the toilet. Wearing foot support, ankle support, knee support, or back support can add stability. Sometimes a mobility device such as a cane or walker can be a valuable assistant, allowing seniors to continue living independently for longer.
When arthritis advances and a loved one is no longer able to maintain their independence and live the life they desire, Griswold Home Care of Greater Orlando refers caregivers for Common Homecare Services which include homemaking skills such as laundry, grocery shopping and light housekeeping and Personal Care Services such as help with bathing, dressing and general hygiene. Griswold Home Care has nearly 40 years of experience referring caregivers to seniors and adults with disabilities, injuries, and illnesses. They never lose focus of their purpose to give people the help they need to live in the place they love. To learn more about the Common Homecare Services that Griswold Home Care can provide, contact them at (407) 638-8116.
