Senior Care News

Keeping Up with Pain for Aging Adults

24-Hour Home Care in Houston TX: Living with chronic pain is no fun at all. And for aging adults, it can make daily life more difficult as well.
24-Hour Home Care in Houston TX
24-Hour Home Care in Houston TX

Pain, especially chronic pain, is one of the most common challenges that seniors have to deal with as they grow older. Occasional discomfort is one thing, but chronic pain has a massive impact on daily life and even independence. For family caregivers, it can be tough to recognize and manage pain for an aging family member while also juggling other responsibilities. 24-hour home care providers can offer essential support around the clock.

Common Pain Causes for Seniors

There are so many different possible causes of pain for seniors. Joint inflammation, arthritis, and even weakened bones can all cause pain. Nerve pain, especially from conditions like diabetes, is also common. Seniors may have surgical procedures, which often leave them with some residual pain while recovering. Dealing with all of these different causes of pain means understanding the conditions causing pain and helping seniors stick with a plan that works for them.

Why Is it Sometimes Hard to Tell if Seniors Are in Pain?

It isn’t always a straightforward process to identify pain in seniors. Sometimes older adults worry about being a burden or being seen as complaining about something they can’t change or control. Still others might struggle to communicate about pain because of conditions like dementia. Looking for nonverbal cues like restlessness, appetite changes, or changes in sleeping habits can clue family members in to discomfort. Home care providers can also help family caregivers to stay alert for these types of signs.

Effects of Pain on Daily Life

When pain goes untreated or isn’t noticed, seniors may not be as mobile as they used to be. They can have more trouble walking or moving safely, which means that it is more dangerous for them to be up and about alone. Seniors may also worry about losing independence because of pain issues, especially if they’re not used to accepting help with daily activities. Other possible issues include social isolation, withdrawal, and problems like anxiety or depression. All of these issues can also dramatically increase fall risk factors, leaving seniors more susceptible to injuries.

Assessing Pain in Seniors

Effective pain management for seniors starts with a plan from healthcare providers. Working with health professionals ensures that seniors get the best possible plan for managing their pain, especially for conditions that are able to be corrected. Ongoing assistance getting to appointments, including from 24-hour home care providers, helps seniors to stay up-to-date with these plans.

Making Life Easier for Seniors in Pain

Ultimately, the goal of pain management is to help seniors improve their overall quality of life. Having help from 24-hour home care providers allows seniors to lean on assistance when they have mobility trouble or might be scared to get up. Home care providers available around the clock can also assist with personal care tasks, ensure seniors eat healthy meals, and that they have other types of help available when they need it most.

Pain is something that many seniors see as just a regular part of daily life, but that doesn’t have to mean that they don’t enjoy their lives. With the help and companionship of 24-hour home care, it’s easier to stay on top of pain and other issues, allowing seniors to enjoy the time they have left at home.

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-hour home care in Houston, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.

Donna Wrabel, LMSW

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