Five Possible Causes of Pain in a Senior with Dementia
June 3, 2021
Understanding what might be creating a painful situation for your elderly family member is vital when she has dementia. Regardless of her communication abilities, she still may not be able to let you know exactly what’s going on.
Illnesses, Both New and Chronic
Health issues, whether they’re brand new for your senior or chronic issues she’s faced for years, can cause a great deal of pain. Neuropathy, arthritis, and more can all be extremely painful. If you’ve helped your senior to deal with existing health issues, those may be easier for you to help her manage now that she has dementia than it is to help with new issues. Work with her doctor to establish a plan for managing the pain you know about and the pain that you don’t.
Injuries
Experiencing an injury, either from a fall or from some other cause, is another reason your elderly family member might be in pain. If your senior falls, she may not remember to let you know, even if she has pain from that experience. This is another good reason for her to have elder care providers there with her when you’re not able to be there, because they can help you to stay informed about what has happened.
Digestive Issues
Everyone can experience an upset stomach or other digestive issues. But with dementia, your elderly family member may not be able to communicate that to you. If your elderly family member has food allergies or if she’s intolerant of certain foods, it’s a good idea to make sure that everyone involved in her care knows about those issues to help your senior to avoid digestive problems.
Lack of Movement
When you don’t move as much as your body is used to moving, you probably experience some muscle soreness. The same can be true for your elderly family member. Muscle stiffness and cramping can be extremely painful, but you can help her to alleviate that by assisting her with stretching and moving on a regular basis.
Bedsores
If your elderly family member is confined to her bed for one reason or another, then bedsores could be a source of pain for her. The best option here is to do everything possible to avoid the formation of pressure sores. Help your senior to change position often and make sure that her bedding is kept clean and dry.
Working with elder care providers who have experience helping dementia patients can help you to learn a lot more about the types of pain your senior experiences and how you can help her.
If you or your loved one is looking for Elder Care in Palo Alto, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.
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