Winter Safety Tips for Seniors with Arthritis

The winter season is already here! It could be a challenging one for older adults who have some form of ailment and is, specifically so, in the burdening context of Arthritis. Arthritis is essentially joint pain or disease that causes an inflammation of one or multiple joints. Typically, arthritis symptoms are more prevalent in seniors above the age of 60-65 years. 

Actually, the problems associated with this painful condition tend to increase during the colder days, which further triggers and fuels excessive pain, stiffness and swelling in the body joints.
There are more than 100 different manifestations of arthritis and related conditions. The most common among them include Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Fibromyalgia and Gout.

Common symptoms

• Pain, stiffness, swelling, locking of joints or tenderness in and around it
• Limited mobility of affected joints/limping
• Redness and warmth of joints affected
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Malaise/feeling of discomfort
• Nodules and nodes in joints (like lumps)

Treatment
There is no unique treatment prescribed for Arthritis though many of its underlying conditions may be sustained effectively. Treatments have to be tailored based on the requirements and symptoms of each patient because the type, severity and impact vary with each individual. The general treatment options include physical therapy, home remedies, splinting, application of cold packs or paraffin wax dips, some diet restrictions, medications and surgical operations. 

Medication for Arthritis 

• Analgesics which are medications for effectively tackling pain management  
• Biologic which includes genetically engineered medications that stimulate and control the immune response to infection and disease
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) that help in controlling both pain and inflammation.
• Creams like Menthol that block the transmission of pain signals from joints.
• Immuno suppressants like prednisone or cortisone that reduces inflammation.
• Disease-Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD) that slow down or inhibit the inflammatory process, thereby preventing damage to the joints and internal organs.
• Physical Therapies -  Course of therapies that help relieve arthritis symptoms include
• Hydrotherapy which includes warm-water pool exercises for lessening pressure on joints and muscles

Physiotherapy – Physio for elders in home includes specific exercises tailored to individual needs that can greatly aid in enhancing their general fitness and muscular strength. This can be bundled with pain relief measures like massaging and giving heat/ice packs.

Occupational Therapy which includes practical guidance for handling daily chores, using specialised medical equipment and aids, preventing further joint damage and fatigue management.

Surgery for Joint Pain Treatment – When normal course of treatment fails to reduce joint pains, surgery may be an advisable option. Usually topical painkiller gels, anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic pain relievers and knee injections are used in osteoarthritis treatment. But when joint pain from OA or other type of arthritis is debilitating and hampering daily life, surgery may be inevitable. Some common joint procedures include Arthroscopy, Joint Resurfacing, Osteotomy, Fusion, Total Joint Replacement and Minimal Invasive Techniques (MIT).

Senior Home Healthcare (SHH) – Mobility issues and routine task maintenance may be challenging for arthritis patients despite lifestyle changes. For such seniors who wish to stay independently in the comfort of their homes, SHH is a good alternative. SHH offers home services and support with designated caretakers including physicians, nurses, therapists and other trained medicos. Their assistance includes joint massages and heat treatments, medication management, facilitating exercise regimes, reducing risk of falls and supporting housekeeping and other related tasks that are difficult to execute due to body limitations.

7 Essential Tips that Help Seniors with Arthritis to face the Winter

• Focus on what kind of foods are consumed. Warm beverages and spicy foods in winter to maintain body temperature and alleviate joint pain. Likewise vitamin C and calcium rich diets should be taken for healthier bones and caffeine should be avoided.
• Ensure appropriate weight management though winter comfort foods and holidays may be tempting. Excess weight exerts extra pressure on the already strained joints in arthritis.
• Relaxation should not be overdone though cold weather is frightful as joint lubrication and mobility gets impaired.
• Maintain healthy postures and have regular exercise regimes (like swimming) as it strengthens the muscles around joints, maintains bone integrity and energises patients. Taking a warm water bath and water therapy is also beneficial.
• Staying warm through layered clothing to prevent moisture accumulation, bundling up at bedtime and using heated mattress or an electric blanket ensures that body temperature does not dip.
• Stop smoking as it causes stress on connective tissues and aggravates joint pain.
• Avoid repetitive activities like running, jumping and other such high-impact ones that cause intense pressure and pain in joints and worsen their condition. If at all done, it should be only in smaller chunks accompanied by stretching exercises.

Though Arthritis has no permanent cure, making appropriate dietary changes, taking prescribed medication and physiotherapy and incorporating exercises in daily life can aid in better management of this condition.