Comfort Keepers Home Health Aide in Peoria, IL

A home health aide in Peoria, IL can help seniors manage pain

Chronic pain is something that affects a huge majority of seniors. Some pain is just due to the side effects of aging. Other types of pain be caused by health conditions. That pain can be managed in several different ways to help seniors minimize the discomfort and pain they feel every day. 

As each of us ages, we become increasingly weaker and that is a completely normal process. However, weakness can mean pain that is difficult to treat. Most common pain amongst people 65 and older includes osteoarthritic, musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and joint pain 

Home health aide services providers from at home care agencies warn that if your loved one is suffering from any one of these, it may be getting increasingly difficult for them to maintain independence. Most often, certain aspects of their lives may start suffering. They may begin neglecting their hygiene and grooming. They may also be having a hard time keeping up with housekeeping, and even living in an unsafe, cluttered and dirty environment.

You may be wondering about how to tell if your loved one does in fact have chronic pain. The major difference between chronic and acute pain is that acute pain is caused by a particular event, often sudden, and it is very sharp and concentrated. On the other hand, chronic pain is most often not so intense, but it must last for longer than six months.

Most of the time, chronic pain is caused by a certain illness or injury but sticks around long after. Seniors experienced chronic pain from headaches, arthritis, osteoporosis, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, and back problems. 

The good news is that there are several things seniors can do to help manage chronic pain and even eliminate it altogether.

At Home Care to Reduce Pain in Seniors

At home health aides from at home care services say that an active lifestyle is a senior’s best chance for fighting chronic pain. This is because much of chronic pain is actually caused by inactivity. The more sedentary we become, the more muscle mass we lose, and our bodies are less able to effectively deal with the stress of daily living. For many seniors an active lifestyle is difficult to accomplish, and it may be a good idea to start thinking about how home health aides can help your loved one improve their current way of life.

Medication is always an option for chronic pain and depending on the type of pain your loved one is experiencing; their doctor will prescribe an appropriate medication regime. Many people may be troubled by the idea of taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication over a long period of time, but it is important to keep in mind the effect that chronic pain can have on a person’s psyche. Sometimes it maybe more beneficial to take medication that may be harmful in other ways then watch a chronic pain get worse over time. 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, otherwise known as TENS, has become popular in recent years. The general gist of this treatment is that trained professionals will treat your loved one with low voltage electricity, helping stimulate muscles and nerves. There are no side effects to this treatment and it Is considered a safer alternative to prescription medication. However, it does not work on everyone. 

Massage therapy and chiropractic treatments are also an option for seniors with less acute pain. Overall home health aide providers say that it is important to reduce stress levels as stress can negatively impact both chronic pain and your loved one's mood.

 If your senior loved one in Peoria, IL suffers from chronic pain call one of our pain management specialists today to find out how an at home health aide can improve the quality of life for your loved one.

Contact us online or call us at (309) 213-9480 to learn more about home health aide services in Peoria, IL.