Living with arthritis can be a physical and emotional roller coaster for seniors. If your aging loved one has arthritis but wants to limit his or her reliance on medication, here are six ways to naturally address this type of discomfort.

1. Appropriate Forms of Exercise

Seniors with arthritis are often advised to exercise to keep joints and supporting tissues healthy and minimize further damage. However, some older adults are hesitant to do so because they’re afraid of exacerbating their symptoms and experiencing pain. But this doesn’t have to be the case with the right approach to exercise, which is also beneficial because it stimulates the release of hormones called endorphins that can reduce the perception of pain. The types of exercise often recommended for seniors with arthritis include:

Low-impact workouts that target core muscle groups
Swimming and other water-based forms of exercise
Casual walking
Yoga, Pilates, and similar disciplines with slow, controlled movements

A professional caregiver can help your loved one exercise safely. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care. Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

2. Foods with Natural Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Because arthritis is an inflammatory condition, the discomfort it causes is largely due to swelling around joints and supporting tissues. Seniors looking to keep this type of pain in check may be able to do so by following a diet that includes foods that naturally fight inflammation. Some of these include:

Spinach, kale, and other leafy green veggies
Sardines, tuna, salmon, and other healthy fatty fish
Fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and cherries

Eating healthy provides a number of benefits for aging adults. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care service. Cincinnati, OH, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

3. Meditation

Stress is a common trigger for inflammatory reactions within the body, which could worsen arthritis-related symptoms. Meditation is a popular relaxation technique that can be done practically anywhere. It promotes a type of mental focus that naturally eases stress and promotes better sleep, which is also good for an older adult affected by arthritis.

4. Hot/Cold Therapy

Seniors can easily use hot or cold therapy when experiencing pain flare-ups from arthritis. Cold applications such as ice packs can reduce inflammation. Heat increases circulation and boosts the flow of beneficial nutrients to tissues around joints. Direct application of either cold or heat to the skin should be avoided.

5. Massage Therapy

When proper techniques are used, massage therapy can be an effective way to manage arthritis for some seniors. It’s also a good way to relieve stress. While deep tissue stimulation is usually best avoided, gentler massage techniques may benefit older adults with arthritis by:

Reducing pain by increasing beneficial hormone levels
Boosting blood flow
Promoting relaxation and enhanced overall wellbeing
Increasing flexibility and range of motion

6. Acupuncture

Involving the strategic insertion of sterilized needles, acupuncture is a natural remedy that focuses on restoring the body’s life energy, or qi, in a way that helps internal systems work together. A study done by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research found this therapeutic technique may benefit those with arthritis by enhancing functional mobility and overall quality of life. There’s also evidence acupuncture may reduce reliance on pain relievers.

Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Cincinnati seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. Reach out to us at Assisting Hands Home Care if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.