Comfort Keepers Private Duty Home Care Aid & Senior Citizens and Dealing with Pain in Fredericksburg, VA
Private Duty Home Care Aids in Fredericksburg, VA discuss seniors dealing with pain
Senior citizens often deal with pain as they age and it can be considered a normal part of aging, but it does not have to rule their life. Private duty home care aids around the U.S. recognize that pain that is untreated can become debilitating and it may cause a senior to miss out on social activities or events with friends because of it. Pain leads to a lower quality of life and may lead to depression and feelings of loneliness in the elderly.
How to Identify Aches vs. Chronic Pain
Both aches and chronic pain are often used interchangeably even though these two words mean something different. Aches are often referred to as acute pain and this type of pain does not last very long or it occurs because something happened. For instance, think of a broken bone. The pain is present because the bone broke. Once the bone is healed, the pain diminishes and disappears as well.
Chronic pain is pain that has been persistent and lasted 6 months or more. This type of pain is a result of something and will stick with you. It is important to understand that chronic pain does not mean that the pain will never go away, but that it persists. Our private duty home care aids encourage you to think about a side effect after surgery. Maybe you had a metal plate installed and now your leg continues to ache for years afterwards.
Typical Types of Pain Elderly People Suffer From
Elderly people suffer from all types of pain, but private duty home care aids know that some pain is more common than others and needs to be addressed to prevent further problems. Some of the most common pain experienced in the senior community includes:
- Shingles
- Arthritis
- Untreated dental problems
- Falls
- Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases
- Osteoporosis
- And more
Medical Treatments and Non-Medical Treatments to Help Relieve Pain for a Senior
One of the most important topics that comes up when it comes to pain is what type of treatment is available for seniors. There are options for both non-medical and medical treatments, but you should always discuss any treatment with your doctor first. You should avoid starting or stopping any treatment unless you have been instructed to do so by your primary care physician.
Some of the most common medical treatments that are available include prescription pain medications, injections, therapies, and surgical procedures or devices.
Some of the most common non-medical treatments available include massage therapy, exercise, lifestyle changes, acupuncture, and similar options.
If you would like your loved one to receive care from one of our in-home providers, call Comfort Keepers private duty home care aids today.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/acute-vs-chronic-pain
https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/
https://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093506
https://www.aarp.org/health/alternative-medicine/info-11-2008/drug_free_remedies_chronic_pain.html
https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/fall11/articles/fall11pg15.html
https://www.seniorliving.org/healthcare/pain-treatment-for-seniors/
