At Homewatch CareGivers of Silver Spring, we understand the challenges of living with arthritis. Our skilled caregivers help clients navigate day to day life with more ease by helping with daily tasks such as bending, lifting, carrying, mobility assistance, help with bathing, dressing, and grooming, household cleaning and laundry, and transportation to and from appointments.

Arthritis is one of the most widespread chronic conditions in the United State making it the number one cause of disability in the country. In fact, 1 in 4 US adults suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is a term that covers a wide variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and more than 100 other health issues that cause joint pain and stiffness. It is important to recognize the impact of arthritis on not just the individuals living with the condition but also their caregivers, healthcare providers, and loved ones.

Arthritis is an extremely painful condition and can be debilitating for those who have it. Women are more likely to suffer from arthritis than men, and those who have a family history of the disease are more likely to develop it. While there are risk factors that cannot be controlled, there are several ways in which arthritis can be managed and the symptoms alleviated. The CDC recommends several strategies to reduce symptoms and get relief so those suffering from it can improve their quality of life and pursue activities that they enjoy:

Be Active: Being physically active can reduce pain and inflammation, improve function and mood, help reduce blood sugar and decrease chances of heart disease. It is important to engage in no-impact or low impact movement to keep it joint-friendly. Low-impact aerobics exercises, swimming, balance exercises, and muscle strengthening exercises such as working with resistance bands and yoga are all good choices.
Protect Joints: Arthritis is seven times more likely to develop in injured joints than healthy ones. Consider wearing supportive shoes when standing for prolonged periods of time as well as elbow and knee pads during exercise.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Cartilage in joints wears away more quickly as more pressure is put on them. It is therefore important to lose the extra weight to decrease stress on weigh bearing joints if hips and knees.
Inform and Educate Yourself: Like in all chronic conditions, education is empowering. Talking to healthcare providers can ensure accurate and timely diagnosis. Doctors can also educate their patients about self-management skills and tools to help improve function and quality of life.

Click here to find more tips on arthritis management. Please reach out to us to learn more about how we can support you and loved ones in managing arthritis. We have extensive experience in providing comprehensive senior care in Kensington, Ashton, Burtonsville, Tacoma Park and Silver Spring in Montgomery County.