How Can Home Care Help a Senior Who is Living with Psoriatic Arthritis?
July 31, 2018
Approximately 30 percent of the more than 7 million people living with psoriasis also have a condition known as psoriatic arthritis. This inflammatory form of arthritis can be debilitating, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, as well as fatigue. As a family caregiver, it is important to recognize the risks this can pose to your parent, and to take steps to address these risks. One very beneficial choice you can make is to start home care for your parent. An in-home senior care services provider can provide your parent with a variety of customized services designed to help your parent cope with their psoriatic arthritis to improve their health, protect their safety, and preserve their quality of life.
Home Care in Redwood City CA: Home Care for Psoriatic Arthritis
Some ways home care can help a senior who is living with psoriatic arthritis include:
- Giving your parent a chance to rest. Psoriatic arthritis can cause fatigue, which can further challenge your parent's ability to manage daily needs. A care provider can handle tasks throughout the home such as laundry, dishes, and tidying to allow your parent to conserve their energy.
- Providing physical mobility assistance. Psoriatic arthritis leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the joints. It also reduces range of motion. Combined, these can dramatically decrease mobility. Not only can this reduce how much your parent is able to navigate their home, get out of the house and enjoy activities, and stay active, but it can also increase fall risk. A care provider can offer mobility assistance to help your parent move around more safely and confidently.
- Providing medication reminders. Most people with psoriatic arthritis will take medications to help them cope with their symptoms. A care provider can remind your parent when and how to take their medications, so they can stay compliant. This compliance is important for gaining maximum benefit from the medications and treatments.
- Helping your parent stay active. While moving around can be difficult for a senior with psoriatic arthritis, regular exercise is important for supporting strength, flexibility, range of motion, and stability in the joints. A care provider can help your parents find an activity they enjoy, and encourage them to participate in it frequently.