Ways To Help Your Grandma With Arthritis

Your grandma could be afflicted with arthritis; a painful condition of the joints in the feet, knee, hands and wrist that at times is accompanied by swelling and deformity in the joints, with the pain making it difficult to move or pick up things. It could be a pity that your grandma who was such an outgoing person is now confined to the home mostly because of this condition; you could sure help your grandma with arthritis.

How I helped my grandma with arthritis:

It is very important that you accompany your grandma to the doctor and get involved in the treatment; make sure your grandma takes the medicines as directed by the doctor to ease pain and inflammation. Once the doctor tells you about the plan of treatment, be sure to ask questions and address your concerns to understand the degree of arthritis.

Next go to the pharmacist for the medications; make sure you tell him that the medications should be put in easy open caps as against child-resistant caps that she cannot open easily. Help your grandma by giving her analgesics and ibuprofen to relieve pain; sometimes the doctor may prescribe glucosamine and chondroiton as a dietary supplement. Make sure you find a bottle that can be easily opened or put it in an alternative container that is clearly labeled.

Your grandma could have been prescribed therapeutic exercises that help strengthen the muscles that control the ligaments connected with the bone to decrease the pain. You could take help of the doctor or physical therapist and start off on these exercises that alleviate pain in the knees, wrists, back and neck by strengthening the surrounding muscles. Follow the doctor’s or physical therapist clear instructions to help her stay ambulatory.

The control of pain in arthritis is best done by decreasing certain motions; make sure the elder/grandma understands one’s condition well. Teach her over time that it is best to do slow, smooth, and easy motions and avoid movements that could lead to wear and tear of the tender joints.

Discourage grandma from doing heavy labor and lifting, though she must have done it all her life. Explain to her that doing such hard work would cause her bones to rub together and cause more pain as the bones wore off. Offer assistance in lifting on weekends; if she is adamant then add sliding coasters beneath her furniture that made moving the furniture easier.

It would help to apply hot and cold packs to provide some relief from the pain and discomfort of arthritis; though many doctors advice the application of cold packs as it not only relieves inflammation, but also numbs the pain caused by arthritis. The elderly grandma could easily use cold packs that can be re-frozen stored in the freezer. It could also be advisable to offer both hot and cold packs alternatively to check which therapy suits the elder best.

Some doctors are of the opinion that the hot packs should not be used as it could worsen the inflammation; however it could be ideal on cold rainy days after consulting the doctor about how the elder’s body temperature is monitored, as some elders develop hypersensitivity at higher temperatures. However while using both packs make sure you protect the skin with a towel that is placed between the pack and the skin.

This makes for the how to help your grandma with arthritis.   

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