What to Do About Common Pains in the Elderly

By superadmin | August 9, 2018 |

According to WebMD, around 100 million people in the United States suffer from chronic pain. As people age, they are more likely to experience pain in certain areas of their body. For family caregivers, it can be helpful to know what kinds of pain to expect and how to manage them if they occur. Below are some common kinds of pain and ways you can help to ease them.

Senior Care in River Oaks TX: Common Pain in the Elderly

Back Pain.

Older adults may have lower back pain because of arthritis. It can also happen because of an injury or muscle strain. Or, if your aging relative spends a lot of time sitting, the pressure placed on their discs can also cause pain.

Some ways to reduce back pain are:

Pain Killers: Over the counter pain relievers may provide relief. But, before using them, check with the senior’s doctor to make sure they won’t interfere with other medications.
Hot or Cold Packs: Try applying a hot or cold pack to the older adult’s back. Whether the pack is hot or cold depends on what works best for the senior. If one doesn’t help, try the other.
Exercise: Stretching and strengthening exercises can both ease the pain and prevent the problem in the future.

A senior care provider can remind the older adult to use pain relieving medications and supervise them to ensure they take the appropriate amount. They can also help to prepare and apply a hot or cold pack.

Joint Pain Not from Arthritis.

Some joint pain in the elderly is not caused by arthritis, but by tendonitis. As people get older, their tendons lose some of their elasticity. As a result, they can become inflamed. To ease the pain, older adults should follow RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Keep the affected joint wrapped with a bandage, use an ice pack, and keep it elevated while resting.

Senior care can help with wrapping the joint, applying an ice pack, and helping the older adult to get comfortable while they elevate the joint. A senior care provider can also allow them to rest by taking care of household tasks, such as cooking and cleaning.

Muscle Strain.

Older muscles become strained more easily because of changes in muscle fibers. The best way to deal with pain from muscle strains is to avoid them in the first place. Older adults can prevent muscle strain by getting help lifting, carrying, or pulling heavy items. In addition, performing exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles can help to prevent injuries.

Senior care providers can assist with heavy items, like carrying grocery bags or taking out the garbage.