Home Care Helps Seniors With Arthritis Live Better At Home

Arthritis is one of the most common health issues that affects older adults. If your parent is living on their own and struggling because of arthritis, home care can help. Home care makes living independently easier and safer for seniors. Seniors who want to be independent generally don’t like depending on their children for help with household tasks and chores. And in some cases, adult children live too far away to be able to visit their parent’s home on a regular basis to help with tasks. Home care is the solution for seniors who want to be independent or don’t have family close by. A home care provider can help your parent with everything from washing dishes to going to the doctor so that your parent has the best possible quality of life at home.
Home Care For Seniors With Arthritis
Seniors that have arthritis often experience symptoms like swollen joints, pain that gets worse throughout the day, and trouble walking around the house or navigating stairs safely.
Those symptoms can make ordinary household tasks like changing the trash or washing the dishes so painful that your parent may just not do them. That can affect their health and safety as well as making the house unsanitary to live in. Home care can help your parent by doing tasks that are too difficult or unsafe for them like:
Taking out the trash
Taking out the trash may seem simple, but it can be hard on painful joints. Lifting a full trash bag, tying it, and carrying it outside can strain the hands, wrists, and back.

There is also a risk that your parent could slip or trip and fall on steps or uneven ground. A home care provider can keep the home clean and make sure the trash goes out to the curb on trash day. This also helps prevent clutter and odors from building up inside the house.
Washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen
Standing at the sink for long periods can be painful for someone with arthritis, especially in the knees, hips, or back. Gripping wet dishes and scrubbing can also strain the hands and fingers. A caregiver can wash dishes, wipe down counters, and keep the kitchen clean and safe. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria and keeps the
kitchen organized, making it easier for your parent to move around
without risk.
Cooking meals
Preparing meals involves many steps that can be tough with arthritis, like chopping, stirring, lifting pots, and standing for a long time. A home care provider can prepare healthy, balanced meals that meet your parent’s needs. They can also portion meals ahead of time, making it easy to reheat food later. That way your parent will have easy access to snack and meals that they can reheat on their own when they’re alone.
Changing bed sheets and making the bed
Changing sheets requires bending, lifting, and reaching, which can be very uncomfortable for someone with stiff or painful joints. It can also be tiring and increase the risk of losing balance. A caregiver can change the sheets regularly, keep the bed clean, and make sure it is comfortable. Clean bedding also improves sleep and overall health, which is especially important for seniors.

Doing laundry

Laundry can be one of the more physically demanding chores. Carrying heavy baskets, bending to load and unload machines, and folding clothes can all be painful with arthritis.
A home care provider can take care of washing, drying, and folding clothes and linens. They can also make sure clothes are easy to access and put away in a way that reduces strain for your parent.
Sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting
Keeping floors and surfaces clean is important for safety. Dust and dirt can build up quickly, and clutter or debris on the floor can lead to slips or falls. However, sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting require repetitive motion and can be hard on the arms, shoulders, and back. A caregiver can handle these tasks to keep the home clean and reduce fall risks. They can also help keep pathways clear, which is especially important for someone with limited mobility.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Golden, CO please contact the caring staff at FirstLight Home Care of Central Denver today at (303) 953-9575.
FirstLight Home Care of Central Denver provides exceptional home care for seniors in Denver, Littleton, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood, Golden, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Aurora and surrounding areas.