Handling the Changes Brought with Ageing Joints and Bones

Arthritis stiffness and pain affects how we enjoy life.

Weakened joints, reduced grip and the accompanying build up of pain, are but a few of the changes our bodies incur with age.

Damaged cartilage, loose ligaments and inflamed connective tissue (synovium) can cause stiffness and pain in joints, making completing daily tasks quite a feat.

When the cartilage in the joint starts to wear down, the constant rubbing together of the bones can cause the bones to change shape.

A slight change to the norm can make jobs more difficult and cause a rethink on how to perform particular tasks.

Looking after our joint health can both lessen and delay onset of stiffness and pain.

Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis

Osteoarthritis shows itself as inflammation and deterioration of the joints. In the UK, around five million people have some level of knee arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.

Osteoporosis shows itself as broken bones, which can occur from a fall of less than standing height. In the UK, over three million people have osteoporosis.

Hands

Arthritis in the hands usually starts between the ages of thirty and fifty, though it can start earlier.

Dull pain and burning are common early symptoms, though the skin disease, psoriasis, is also an early indicator. Other symptoms include stiffness, numbness and tingling.

- How to Help Yourself

When and where possible, push items rather than lift them.

If you have reduced strength in your hands, try to reduce necessary grip needed on items e.g. use wider (or cushioned) cutlery handles, so a holding grip can be reached with less pressure.

When lifting heavy or bulky items, use the palms of your hands and not just your fingers. 

Doing hand exercises in warm water can help make the exercises easier and can reduce pain. Adding a quarter of a cup of Epsom salts to a bowl of warm water can help reduce swelling.

Applying something cold (e.g. ice cubes) will both reduce swelling and numb the area.

Applying something hot (e.g. a hot water bottle) will increase circulation and flexibility, as well as loosen up the muscles.

Legs

Leg pain can refer to pain anywhere between your pelvis and your foot.

Arthritis in the leg can show itself as swollen joints, weakness in the joints and muscles, a change in walking comfort and style, rashes and skin changes, as well as a reduced range of motion.

Osteoarthritis is caused by normal wear and tear but can also be brought on by injury or infection to the joints.

- How to Help Yourself

Look at the ergonomics (layout) of your home and work towards reducing foot fall. For example:-

• designate one kitchen cupboard and part of the worktop to things you use most often - this will cut down on walking and so reduce stress on the hip, knee,and feet joints.
• plan what jobs need to be done upstairs and reduce going up and down stairs to a minimum.
• try not to stand in the same position for too long a period, as this will affect your knee joints, which will be bearing the brunt of your full weight.

Excess weight bears heavily on joints, particularly the hips, knees and feet joints, as they have to endure the extra pressure when you are standing or walking.

Feet

A human foot contains more than thirty joints.

Osteoarthritis affects the feet in one in six of people who are aged over fifty.

Osteoarthritis often affects the big toe joint and this is sometimes referred to as gout.

- How to Help Yourself

Wear sensible footwear. Look for:-

• room for your toes to move comfortably
• bendable rubber soles, as these soles give cushioning to your feet
• shoes or boots that are flat soled, or only house a small heel, allowing pressure to be placed evenly over the whole of the foot, rather than forced onto the toes.

Overall Care

Understand pain – when performing a task, if you feel pain starting to present itself, take a break before the pain becomes full on.

Losing weight will significantly reduce your chances of getting osteoarthritis in the knees.

Give joints a break from activity, by changing to another task which does not involve the same joints.

Rather than rushing, spend a little longer on tasks - break a job up into several parts by taking breaks away from it, so as to stop pain creeping in.

In the kitchen, locate most used items within easy reach – this will cut down on moving around and possible falls.

Not using muscles can cause them to waste away - regular exercise strengthens the muscles around your joints, helping you to retain a range of movements, as well as prevent stiffness and pain.

Cut down on smoking - smoking can have a negative effect on bone mass, which may lead to osteoporosis. Nicotine slows down the creation of the cells which form bone and so slow down the healing process.

What to Consume and What Not To

You are what you eat and knowing what to eat and what to avoid can make a big difference to how you experience arthritis pain.

Amongst other healthy foods:-

Enjoy:-

• oranges (fresh fruit or juice), as vitamin C can stave off the progression of osteoarthritis
• bananas - high in magnesium and potassium, bananas can alleviate arthritis pain and inflammation and also increase bone density
• pineapple – this fruit is rich in vitamin D and is said to reduce pain and swelling in osteoarthritis
• green vegetables and herbs, such as kale, spinach, broccoli and parsley, all contain high levels of calcium and so can slow down bone loss and cartilage damage
• grains, pulses and nuts, poultry and oily fish – these food choices can reduce inflammation and pain.

Avoid:-

• sugar – this processed ingredient can increase joint and muscle inflammation
• coffee -the boost that coffee can give you to start off the day is not the best start, as too much caffeine can weaken your bones
• excessive alcohol – alcohol disrupts normal gut functioning and can cause inflammation
• saturated fats – these fats increase inflammation and also heighten the risk of heart disease
• processed foods and takeaways, as these are heavy in processed sugar and fats.

How Does Exercise Fit in with Living with Arthritis?

Not using joints doesn’t help the problem. Exercise does.

Swimming and other aquatic exercises allow you to exercise the joints whilst having no weight on them.

Stretching exercises make you use muscles you may not use very often and will help maintain ligament health. Consider yoga as a beneficial pastime, for both physical and mental health.

Alternate between sitting and standing, as prolonged periods of either will lead to stiffness and pain.

Medical Intervention

Over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, can successfully reduce the pain and swelling which comes with osteoarthritis.

Voltaron gel may be recommended, as this treatment has fewer side-effects than aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Steroids like cortisone are powerful in reducing pain and inflammation. Doctors may agree to a round of three injections, a break from this treatment then needed before another round will be given.

Surgery is also an option, though this is if all other treatments don’t provide solutions. 

Surgery would involve fusing two bones together, or joint replacement.

Your GP will need to advise you should you be considering any medical treatment.

How to Handle Present Pain

Some arthritis medications can affect the skin, leading to bruises, bumps and lesions.

Whilst trying to manage arthritis by conventional methods, there are also some useful products which can both alleviate pain and protect joints.

- Knee Cushions

When you sleep, arthritis pain seems to be more noticeable, as the body is not truly aligned (not in a straight line).

Knee cushions (knee pillows) are designed to align the spine and to adjust the legs and knees into a more comfortable position for sleeping or relaxing.

Body alignment improves blood flow and so more nutrients are sent to where they are needed, which reduces pain.

- Body Protectors

Protecting skin is of vital importance to good health.

With age, the cells which make up the layers of our skin reduce in size and number and the fatty layer under the skin reduces, giving us less cushioning from the impact of daily life.

Different types of arthritis can affect the skin in different ways e.g. rashes, lesions and torn skin.

Body protectors for the skin cover the frail surface and provide much needed cushioning to prevent tears.

Full leg sleeves can protect frail skin and also stop knees rubbing together when walking.

Full arm sleeves can protect thin and frail skin from tearing.

Summary

Smoking has a serious negative effect on bone healing and so contributes to the onset of osteoporosis.

Before taking a regular dose of aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, consult your doctor first, as there can be a risk to cardiovascular health.

If you are not getting enough appropriate vitamins in your diet to promote strong bones, take multivitamins to supply you with calcium, vitamins C, E and K, as well as folic acid.

If you experience arthritis pain, don’t later attribute any new pains to arthritis, as well. Always seek the advice of your doctor, as pain can come from other health conditions and diagnosis should always be sought in the early stages.

Body protectors can give extra support and protection where needed.

Regular exercise strengthens the muscles around your joints, helps you to retain a good range of movements and can prevent stiffness and pain.

Source: https://www.essentialaids.com/blog/handling-changes-brought-ageing-joints-bones.html

Making the Bathroom Safer and More Manageable for Elderly People

As is with the kitchen, the bathroom is classified as one of the most dangerous rooms in the house.

Eighty one percent of accidents in the bathroom are as a result of falls.

Falls can be due to wet or slippery floors, slipping on or tripping over mats, objects or furniture causing obstructions and also because of health problems e.g. fainting, dizziness, changing eyesight and changes in mobility.

In later years, senior people with health conditions may need adaptations and specialist equipment in the bathroom. These needs may be as a result of weakening grip, balance problems, mobility difficulties, sight deterioration, arthritis, lack of confidence and many other age-related changes in health.

Falls

Whilst a young adult may be able to withstand a fall, the more elderly person may break bones, receive a more significant blow to the head due to less agility and grip to save oneself from the fall and be more likely to suffer from shock and its sometimes severe consequences.

The most common causes of falls are wet and slippery floors, shiny tiled surfaces which offer reduced safety and mats that may move underfoot.

Falls can happen in the bathroom itself, as well as within the bath or shower.

Bathroom floor surfaces are most often tiled. Pay attention to the tile finish i.e. a matt or stone finish is safer than the shiny tile, as spilt water is less likely to cause slipping on the rougher surface.

Small mats on that same shiny surface can slide under one’s feet and cause a bad fall.

Always check that the mat you want to purchase has a non-slip underside.

Addressing the flooring in a bathroom will be a major factor in preventing falls.

Steadying Oneself In and Out of the Shower / Bath

When you’re unsteady on your feet, getting in and out of a bath has its own dangers. Getting one leg out and onto the floor can unbalance the individual and lead to a fall.

For walk in showers, a shower chair gives the user better balance in the sitting position and will help avoid falls from any weakness in the legs.

For wheelchair users, a wet room is the ideal situation, as there is no step to mount upon entrance.

A shower chair on wheels can be used to enter the wet room and can also be used to move around the bathroom.

A shower chair with lockable wheels adds more safety to bathing alone.

For people who are unsteady on their feet, a bath board can make it a lot easier to get into the bath. With the bath board fixed to the top of the bath, the procedure is to:-

• sit on the bath board, with your legs still on the floor
• turn and move towards getting your feet into the bath
• edge along on the bath board, to be within the bath tub space itself
• with the use of grab rails, ease yourself into the water
• reverse the procedure for getting out of the water.

A specifically-designed grab handle can be fixed to the bath board (at the side furthest from entry into the bath), or a grab rail can be attached to the wall at the appropriate position, to make entering and leaving the bath a less worrying feat.

A non slip bath mat which attaches itself to the bath base or shower base via suckers can be a lifesaver. For those who can stand in the shower, or for climbing into the bath, the non slip bath mat gives you a safe base to stand on, builds user confidence and also steadies the individual when climbing out of the bath / shower.

Toilet Height

The standard height for a toilet tends to be around 17 inches (42.5 cms.).

Age brings with it a weaker body frame, which makes sitting down and standing up appear a challenge. Altering the height of the toilet can make these manoeuvres easier and safer.

A height of 20 inches (50 cms.) to 21 inches (55 cms.) proves safer for seniors, as stooping is reduced and the distance to regain full upright posture is also reduced.

Extra toilet height can also be accomplished by fitting a thicker toilet seat.

A toilet booster seat can also be easily clipped to the original toilet seat and add up to four inches (10 cms.) to the overall height of the toilet.

Booster seats are easily detachable for cleaning and also for using the toilet at its regular height.

Some shower chairs with wheels are also designed to be positioned over the toilet. With a horseshoe aperture cut out of the shower seat, using the toilet can be done from there.

Changes to Eyesight

Ageing eyes make reading glasses a common need amongst elderly people but age also brings other changes to eyesight (e.g. macular degeneration, glaucoma, clouded vision, loss of peripheral vision and loss of three-dimensional vision).

Changes in eyesight create a need to adapt to new circumstances, in order to support residual vision for the task in hand.

Identifying the exact location of light switches, and maybe dropping them to a more accessible height, can be supported by lighting being directed towards them.

Bright lights will not necessarily be the right choice for someone with a visual impairment. Choosing calmer lighting may prove more appropriate, as well as more soothing.

Larger light switches, as well as strongly coloured switches, will prove more identifiable.

Brightly coloured towels which don’t blend into the wall colouring will help the individual locate the towels more swiftly.

For personal grooming, a magnified mirror might prove useful e.g. shaving, cleaning your teeth and applying make-up.

Other Safety Concerns

A fall could lead to the individual bumping his / her head or upper body against a bathroom fixture. Look for wash hand basins and cabinets with rounded corners, instead of sharp ones, to lessen the chance of broken skin causing bleeding.

Fit grab rails in appropriate places (you can’t have too many), to give mobility security to the individual when moving around in the bathroom, or even when standing still e.g. to clean one’s teeth.

Appropriate places for grab rails include entry into the bathroom, near the toilet, outside the shower / bath, inside the shower / bath and at the wash hand basin.

Grab rails can be fitted horizontally, diagonally and vertically, available space or the task in hand maybe dictating the best position to employ.

Give serious thought to storage in your bathroom. Keep regularly used items at arm’s length, avoiding any need for the elderly person to have to stretch or stoop to reach what is needed.

Slide doors, or even no doors at all, may be more appropriate on bathroom cupboards, as opening and closing doors sometimes involves stepping back, to give room to the door.

Whilst the individual in the bathroom will wish to lock the bathroom door for privacy reasons, a double-sided lock can ensure quick entry into the bathroom in emergency situations.

Medication as well as ageing can cause neurological damage to the skin, leaving the person unable to register that water temperatures may be far too hot for them. An ideal temperature for bathing is around 45 C / 113 F and anything hotter could lead to serious burns and scalds.

Getting the right, preset, temperature for bathroom taps is a safe way of reducing the risk of burns or scalds. A mixer tap also has an advantage over two taps, as achieving a safe temperature involves using only one hand.

If the bathroom door is not wide enough for a wheelchair to enter, transferring to a shower chair with wheels for entry, and for moving around in the bathroom, could be the answer.

Choose grab-style handles for cupboards and drawers rather than knobs, as these can also serve as grab rails for holding onto.

Mirror height may need to be adjusted for those working from a wheelchair or shower chair, as standing up to use a mirror at a regular height could lead to a fall.

Summary

Even a slight change can make a big difference.

Non-slip flooring in a bathroom will be a positive measure in preventing falls.

For a shower over a bath, two grab rails at different heights will be needed, one for getting out of the bath, the other for standing up in the shower and for getting out.

A shower chair with lockable wheels will prove much safer than a shower chair without locks on the wheels.

Sliding doors on cupboards will make access both easier and safer.

Contrasting colours and also light direction will help people with visual changes navigate and locate with more ease.

Source: https://www.essentialaids.com/blog/making-bathroom-safer-more-manageable-elderly-people.html

Walking Aids for Elderly or Disabled

Walking disabilities are the most critical out of all. But, as said, ‘every problem has a solution’, walking disability too has a solution. Walking aids is the one here. There are several options available in walking aids like folding walking sticks, canes, crutches, etc. You can choose the ideal one according to the level of difficulty of the patient. And don’t worry, buying these aids under a budget is not a task. You can simply enter your query on search engines, like ‘aluminum ramps for sale’ and you’ll find a huge variety of aluminum ramps. So, now that you know about how to buy it, let us have a look at the various walking aids that you can buy:

4 Common Types of Walking Mobility Aids for Elderly People

Canes

Canes are the most common and standard type of walking aid an elderly is likely to use. A cane can help to stabilize the balance by reducing strain on the legs. It is an easy and portable device to keep around. Most canes have a “standard” length of 36 inches which is a great height for most. One can also adjust it according to their needs.

If you are an independent elderly, a cane is a must have to save you from the risk of falling or losing balance. Canes help to support the body’s weight and to transfer some of the load from the legs to the upper body. Folding walking sticks is also one of the best options to rely on for support. It is very handy and can even be used by blind people as a better direction and support aid.

One more thing to know about canes is that although they take a major strain off the lower body to assist with walking, they also place greater pressure on the hands and the wrists. So if one has a weaker upper body or any arm/hands issues then a cane might not be the best choice as a walking device unless one only intends to use it sparingly.

Crutches

Crutches take the weight from the legs and transfer the majority of it to the upper body like canes. Crutches are commonly used in pairs. They include an extension that helps in taking off some weight from the hands and wrists to the upper arms. They tend to serve better as a temporary walking device. It is often used after a leg injury. However, when someone is considering a walking assistance device for use in the long run, they usually have better options.

Walkers

Also known as Zimmer frames, walkers have a metal frame with four legs. There are also walkers available with wheels on the two front legs, making the forward movement easier. There are also different types of walkers like 2-wheel walkers and rollator walkers.

Walkers assure more support and balance than canes and crutches as they form much wider contact with the ground. When the user places weight on the two sides of the frame, they receive great stability. If you are worried about the weight of the walkers then you don’t need to. Even if walkers are larger than crutches and canes, they are usually light in weight and often foldable.

However, if we talk about walking devices as a solution for the elderly, they might not always be the best option. As they often need a caretaker to assist them with walkers. Situations like a little more difference in the height of the pavement seem like an obstruction to cover independently.

Wheelchairs

A wheelchair basically does the moving action for you – especially if you choose an electric wheelchair! A wheelchair is the best solution for those who should not or cannot apply weight on their lower limbs or for those who cannot walk due to lack of stability or other reasons. The wheelchair is the right mobility aid for those who have more serious disabilities or who need to travel over greater distances.

Other Options for Walking Assistance

Besides the walking aid options mentioned above, there are many options for a walking assistance device available to consider while thinking about improving your stability and promote independence when walking:

Ramps

Ramps are a great option for assisting anyone with walking, especially those using wheelchairs. Ramps also make access much easier for people who use walkers, canes or crutches. Wood ramp, folding ramp, aluminum ramp, modular ramps, are some of the material types available in ramps. So, now when you see a board saying, ‘aluminum ramps for sale’ you know what you need to do right? Just grab the chance of buying that versatile piece at a sale price.

Stair Lifts

One can install a stair lift in almost any home. This device has a seat with great control. The user can sit on the seat and use the control of the seat to move up or down the staircase, allowing easy access to the different floors without having to tackle them on foot.

Before investing in any walking aid, consider the challenges that the patient is facing and if the aids can help to reduce those or not. Also, consulting a physician before finalizing the walking aid is very important.

Source: https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/660665149545496576/walking-aids-for-elderly-or-disabled

Must Have Shower Accessories for Elderly

Lack of self-balance is the major problem when it comes to elderly people. And with severe mobility issues, bathing can become a risky task. Since skipping a bath is not an option for maintaining self-hygiene, we got you a list of shower aids. These bathroom products for the elderly are an easy way to improve shower safety. With these shower accessories, you can avoid risky situations like falling while bathing, slipping while getting out of the bath, etc., for the elderly or disabled.

Bathroom Grab Bars

Bathroom grab bars are one of the handiest ways to improve bathroom safety for elderly people. A bathroom grab bar gives a stable surface to hold onto while moving around in the bathroom. You can permanently install bathroom grab bars into the bathtub area or temporarily clamp them onto the tub edge.

You can either install shower grab bars permanently or have them suctioned on. They work as shower handles to hold onto while moving into the bathroom or out of the shower. You can also install bars beside the toilet to increase safety on and off the toilet. Bathroom grab bars are multi usable and are relatively inexpensive products for the elderly to improve bathroom safety.

Bathtub Chair

A bathtub chair is set in the bath or shower to give the elderly a place to sit down while showering.

There are two types of essential bathtub chairs:

• Bathtub/shower stool (without back support)
• Bathtub/shower chair (with a back)

These chairs accommodate the elderly people's need for balance.

Shower Board

It is helpful in a bathtub and spans the width of the bathtub. This board requires a lip on either side of the bathtub big enough to sit on and secured with dials.

The list of it’s essential roles includes:

• Providing a surface for the person to sit down on from outside the bathtub to experience the bathtub while sitting. This even prevents falls or slip downs.
• Allowing the person to slide over into the middle of the bathtub. This too decreases the risk of falling or slipping in the bathroom.
• Serving as a safe surface to sit on while showering.

These are beneficial for people who are deficient in maintaining the balance while stepping in and out of the bathtub or need a place to sit while showering.

Folding Shower Chair

A folding shower chair comes in two types:

1. A folding bathtub chair

   • Either with a back (chair)
   • Or without a back (stool)
2. A permanently installed flipping board in the bathtub or shower that flips up and down to sit on while bathing

A folding shower chair can even be an excellent way to save space.

Shower Bench

Shower benches are commonly known as bath benches. The bathroom bench is commonly set up with two feet inside the bathtub and two feet outside. This is essential to keep the bench at a still level. The feet set inside the tub will be shorter than the ones outside the tub.

The shower bench provides a flat surface for elderly people to sit on outside of the tub. After which, they can swing their legs into the tub while sitting down only. Doesn't this sound much safer than lifting their legs up and over the side of the tub?

They can also use it as a sliding transfer bench while scooting their bottom across it while sitting. This eventually reduces the risk of falls.

The shower bench differs from the shower board due to its adjustable height and presence of a backrest.

Shower Wheelchair

A shower wheelchair looks like a wheelchair that rolls right into a shower stall. For this, the shower stall should be big enough to accommodate and move the shower wheelchair easily. They are primarily used for people who have caregivers. The shower wheelchair also has brakes. They also help paralyzed elderly or those who are facing difficulty in maintaining an upright position. Shower wheelchairs even have seat belts and headrests to keep a person safely grounded in the shower wheelchairs.

Investing in these shower accessories will promote accessible showers for the elderly with an assurance of safety. From all of the above mentioned accessories, you should go for the one that suits best to the requirements of your loved ones. Like Shower boards are the most reliable of all aids if you want to provide a sitting facility to elderly without sacrificing comfort or safety.

Source:https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/659928334998831104/must-have-shower-accessories-for-elderly

9 Essential Daily Aids for Elderly

Ageing has its challenges, as the body may not function the way it used to. Impaired vision, weaker joints, unresponsive muscles, reduced flexibility, and mobility issues alarm the need for helpful daily aids. There is a vast world of daily living aids that can help even those who live independently. Mobility aids for the elderly include self-care equipment and assistive devices that make it easier to age in peace like the following:

1. Back Support Belt

Back Pains are common among the elderly. Back support belts are made to support the elderly's backs. How? The belt's braces can correct a deformity. It limits your back movements. After an initial low-back injury, one should limit the spinal movement because it promotes healing to your injury by relieving excessive demand from the muscles. It even improves posture.

2. Cane Seat

The elderly commonly have joint and back pains. A cane chair and knee support brace can help here. Cane chair is a portable, lightweight walking assistive device featuring a small retractable seat. This investment makes a garden walk or the grocery store trip a whole lot easier. Wearing a knee support brace while walking is an addition to both safety and support to knees.

3. Jar Opener

Due to arthritis, weak muscles, elbow or wrist issues can make hand twisting motions painful. Even a simple activity of opening a jar can prove to be challenging. Gadgets like easy twist jar openers can lower down the effort involved and prevent hazards like slipping or pulling a muscle.

4. Dressing Stick

A dressing stick is a multi-purpose tool that allows seniors with mobility issues to perform various dressing tasks like pulling up their underpants, putting on shorts, or wearing jackets over their shoulders. This prevents the back or shoulder pains of your loved ones while dressing.

5. Sock Aids

Simple daily tasks like getting dressed can challenge the elderly with joint flexibility or back pain issues. But did you know that there are devices that can help your loved ones to slip onto their socks and shoes without bending themselves down too far?

Sock aids are handy gadgets to slip their sock onto a frame, lower it onto the floor, and simply slide their feet into the sock. Several durable and lightweight models in the market that save a lot of time and reduce the efforts while getting dressed.

6. Long-handled Shoe-Horn

Now that the socks are on, there is another challenge waiting- of putting on the shoes. A long-handled shoe horn fits as the perfect solution. With current models made of lightweight steel, these shoe horns help the elderly easily slip their leg palms in and out of the shoes. And some models even work great for taking your socks off.

7. Toothbrush Handle

A toothbrush handle allows the elderly to grip their toothbrush without feeling the aches and pains of arthritis. It is a soft, ergonomic, built-up handle that provides a firm grip on any narrow object. One can also use it to grip cutlery or any other kitchen tools.

8. Foot Cleaning Brush

A foot cleaning brush falls under an ideal home aid list for the elderly. When their stiff back muscles or hip mobility issues don't allow them to clean their feet properly. A long handle and ergonomic design enable them to complete this task without bending down or spraining their back muscles.

9. Riser Step

While lifting their feet high enough to climb steps, seniors who face challenges will find the riser step tool convenient. This firm stool helps to make steps shallower and allows ease of climbing. So, whether it is hip pains, balance issues, sore knee joints, or post-surgery weakness, the elderly can still overcome a steep stair with a riser step.

The wide range of daily living aids for the elderly might confuse you with what is necessary or ideal to buy. For this, you will have to identify your loved one's specific requirements and disabilities before you purchase a product.

Source: https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/659396910996652032/9-essential-daily-aids-for-elderly

Getting On with Arthritis

In later life, many people may find that they have some form of arthritis in their joints, which makes straightforward movements somewhat painful. This discomfort can affect dexterity, sitting, standing and mobility.

Managing arthritis is paramount to quality of life and to maintaining a comfortable level of continued independence.

Whilst ageing might have, in the not too distant past, affected quality of life quite severely, technology and equipment available in today’s world allows us to limit the effect of ageing on everyday life.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition which many people will experience in their later years. It presents itself as tenderness, stiffness and swelling in one or more of the joints.

Arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the soft tissue (synovium) in the joints, which then leads to pain and restricted movements around the affected joint.

Stiffness can occur after heavy work or strenuous exercise but can also be as a result of prolonged sitting.

Arthritis pain can feel like a burning sensation but also like a dull ache.

The most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis can begin at a very early age (in children) but is more often diagnosed between the ages of thirty and sixty.

Cartilage is a form of padding between joints, which stops bones rubbing together and osteoarthritis begins when this tissue becomes ragged or starts to wear away.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of physical disability in the elderly.

Before the age of forty five, more men develop osteoarthritis than women though, in later years, it is women who are more likely to develop this form of arthritis than men.

Ways to Manage Arthritis

Regular exercise is a way of keeping the muscles strong around the joints, by keeping the pressure off the bones and / or the joint. Regular exercise can also help reduce fatigue.

Arthritis can be slowed down, or managed, not only by exercise but also by:-

• keeping your weight under control, as excessive weight puts pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees
• living a healthy lifestyle
• controlling your blood sugar levels (healthy eating, drinking plenty of water and also managing stress levels) regular stretching e.g. yoga, a practice which leaves you feeling stronger and more flexible, as well as more mentally focussed
• a healthy diet – steering clear of processed fast foods, alcohol and sugary foods
• eating fish at least twice a week – fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines, are the best source of omega -3, which can help reduce inflammation
• stopping smoking
• squeezing a stress ball, which can improve grip and relieve pain for those with hand osteoarthritis
• sitting comfortably, so as to take pressure off affected joints.

Dexterity

Weakened grip can make people feel unsafe on their feet, as they no longer have that safeguard of holding sturdily on to chairs, tables, or worktops, when walking.

Life is quite often lived in the kitchen and so managing once easy tasks has been well covered with appropriate aids:-

• can pull tin openers designed to open ring pull tins, even with reduced strength
• cutlery with fatter handles, or with Velcro straps, which keep the cutlery in one’s hand, even if the user has a weaker grip. The Velcro fastener also houses a small pocket, into which the knife, fork or spoon handle can rest whilst in use
• two-handled cups share the weight between both hands
• a kettle tipper stand supports the kettle while tilting it towards the teapot or cup
• an under counter bottle and jar opener, which needs only one hand to perform the task
• a tea trolley on wheels, which helps you get drinks and meals safely to the table, without the fear of losing grip on hot items.

Weakened grip can lead to loss of confidence in carrying out everyday tasks, so finding the right aid addresses the need.

Sitting and Standing

Sitting

Our height can dictate the right seat height for us, as the length of our legs will determine the best seat pad height which will support our upper legs along their whole length.

The correct depth of seat pad will support our upper legs right along to the knee joint, allowing the lower leg to bend appropriately at the knee and to comfortably meet the floor.

If a seat pad height is either too high or too low, it will make getting into a standing position much more difficult which, exacerbated by arthritis, could prove somewhat cumbersome and could lead to a fall.

Should the seat pad of your favourite chair be a little too high for you, a footstool can help shorten the distance for you between your foot and the floor.

When purchasing a footstool, buy a folding footstool, as it can be folded away when not in use and, when folded, it is easier to carry, as well as store.

Standing

Difficulty in standing from a chair can also be because of stiffness in the back, weakness in the legs and bad balance.

If arthritis is in the leg joints, the legs may prove too weak to take the individual’s weight and a walking frame may be needed for moving independently around the house.

Walking frames take the weight off the legs and transfer it to the arms and shoulders.

A sturdy, metal, standing aid frame can fit against a chair, bed, car, or toilet. Its adjustable height makes it suitable for people of all heights to comfortably reach a stable standing position.

Leg pain could also suggest excess fluid in the leg veins, so always make your local GP the first port of call.

Getting In and Out of a Chair

Getting the right seat height can be achieved in several ways:-

• Extra seat pad height. A booster cushion can add an extra four inches (10 cms.) of height to the user’s favourite chair.
• The foam layers in a booster cushion allow the user to get onto his / her feet, as leaning forward encourages the spongy layers to re-inflate and enables the user to move up to a new height.
• Raising the chair. Chair raisers are designed to place the chair legs into fitted shapes (liken it to wearing heeled boots), in which the chair legs can be raised up to six inches (15 cms.) from the ground. For taller people with longer legs, chair raisers allow the thighs to be better supported, rather than the knees rising above the seat pad and creating difficulty in getting into a standing position.
• A folding footstool. For the person with shorter legs, a folding footstool can allow the user’s feet to touch down onto the stool, rather than them hanging limply in the air, whilst also causing pressure and numbness on the thighs.
• Riser recliner chairs. Riser recliner chairs can do the work of sitting and standing for you. At the press of a button, electrically-powered chairs can tilt the user into a standing position and also lower the user into a sitting position.
• Riser recliner chairs offer the user many adjustment choices, getting the best position to suit the user in that moment.
• Getting the chair into that right position can help take the pressure of aching joints, relieve back pain and reduce arthritis pain.
• Riser recliner chairs take away the need to ask for support in standing and so help to maintain self respect and independence.

Mobility

Walking and arthritis don’t come together comfortably.

Walking frames can support the upright body when walking, or when simply standing.

Walking frames are available with or without wheels.

Walkers without wheels would command appropriate upper body strength, to regularly lift the frame forward, ready for the next step forward.

Without wheels, a walker may have three or four legs. In tight spaces, the three-legged walker offers more manoeuvrability.

Frames with wheels need less upper body strength, as the wheels propel the walker forward.

Frames with wheels can be used both indoors and outdoors, helping to maintain an adequate level of independence with most everyday tasks.

For outside use, the four wheel frame offers better stability than the three wheel frame, as it can move more easily over bumpy terrain.

Moving around the kitchen and walking in the garden can both benefit from appropriately located grab rails, just like climbing stairs is supported by the standard handrail.

Summary

Today’s technology lessens the blow of arthritis on our everyday activities.

Remember that leg pain may also be as a result of excess fluid in the leg veins, so always make your local GP the first port of call.

Chair raisers and folding footstools are more economical ways of supporting comfortable sitting and standing. The cost of purchasing a riser recliner chair can be quite prohibitive.

When purchasing a walker, always test them out before deciding which one to purchase.

If you are suffering significant discomfort or find yourself unable to perform everyday activities, a local authority occupational therapist should be able to help.

They will advise on home adaptations or other other equipment or steps available to overcome practical problems.

Source: https://www.essentialaids.com/blog/getting-arthritis.html

Managing Incontinence and Maintaining Hygiene

Age may cause us to slow down and to take things easy, meaning that regular exercising of muscles doesn’t happen as a matter of course. Muscle deterioration can make easy-to-do tasks become more of a challenge.

Elderly people may also develop bladder problems which, teamed with a change in dexterity and mobility, may make visiting the toilet a slower task.

About one in four elderly people experience bladder weakness and one in ten bowel incontinence.

Onset of Incontinence

Incontinence can appear slowly as a result of a variety of factors:-

incontinence is quite often a result of the weakening of the pelvic muscles but is not a topic which is freely discussed, owing to shame and embarrassment. Regular exercises targeted towards the pelvic muscles can help lessen the condition

a urinary tract infection can often be the cause of incontinence and this is easily treatable with medication some medications for other conditions can cause incontinence as a side effect, so changing that medication to a different one should correct the temporary inconvenience

onset of incontinence can also be as a result of several medical conditions (irritable bowel syndrome, MS (multiple sclerosis), constipation and prolapse), so always make your local doctor the first point of call, to establish individual needs

incontinence can also develop in the later stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Certain lifestyles can cause / exacerbate incontinence:-

smoking – constant coughing can weaken the pelvic floor muscles

lifting – moderate to heavy lifting (e.g. lifting shopping and carrying children) can also weaken the pelvic floor muscles

being overweight – fatty tissue pressing against the bladder can give rise to incontinence

constipation – ‘straining to go’ can also weaken the pelvic floor muscles and can worsen urinary incontinence

too much caffeine – caffeine is present in tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fizzy drinks, green tea, energy drinks, caffeine irritating the bladder and so worsening urinary incontinence.

Whilst caffeine should be avoided, or at least reduced, an elderly person needs to drink between 1 1/2 and 2 litres (2 ½ to 3 ½ pints) of liquid per day, to stay both healthy and hydrated and should not drink less to hide / manage the inconvenience or embarrassment of incontinence.

Special Equipment Available to Manage Incontinence

- Daytime

Incontinence Pads and Pants

Incontinence pads are constructed using the same technology as that for babies’ nappies, the hydrophobic layer drawing urine away from the surface of the pad, allowing the user’s skin to stay dry.

Disposable incontinence pants (sometimes referred to as ‘adult pull ups’) come in a range of different sizes and are also available in male and female designs. Ideal for those with more active lifestyles, they offer different levels of absorbency and can be used for both urinary and bowel incontinence.

An inbuilt back sheet in disposable pants allows a through flow of air, allowing the skin to breathe.

When searching for the best incontinence pads or appropriate underwear, always check what the product provides, as the cheaper products may prove more costly in time taken on more frequent changes.

Products can be disposable or washable, so always check which will be most cost effective for the temporary or long-term needs of the individual, as well as which proves to be most suitable / comfortable.

Shop for incontinence pads which will last up to six hours, so that the wearer will be more comfortable for longer and less inconvenienced by constant changing.

Incontinence pants offer various levels of protection so, again, check what the product provides and establish that they will offer the wearer what he / she needs. Note that a high level of absorbency helps to neutralise odours.

Seat Protection

For people with limited mobility, getting ‘caught short’ may happen from time to time. Incontinence accidents during the day may also happen, so look towards protecting seats which the individual uses regularly.

Waterproof (whilst also washable) seat and chair pads will protect upholstery from incontinence damage, minimise odour and will keep that favourite chair going for much longer.

Seat and chair pads are discreet and don’t look out of place in the home environment, posing simply as extra padding / cushioning for the user.

NB – When bladder incontinence is extreme, the use of a catheter (a flexible tube used to empty the bladder) may prove to be the only true option. Inserting and removing a catheter can only be done by professional healthcare workers and trained caregivers.

- Nighttime

Trying to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Whilst it is necessary to drink enough water to stay hydrated, try to refrain from drinking too much liquid in the two hours leading up to bedtime.

Remember that alcohol, and also drinks which contain caffeine, can irritate the bladder and lead to worsened urinary incontinence.

Our body recognises a need for sleep. Keeping to a regular routine as to the time to call an end to the day will indeed help with quality of sleep. Such a routine may also prove to lessen any need for sleeping tablets.

Mattress Protection

Mattress protection not only protects the mattress from damage from incontinence accidents but also keeps the mattress dry when an elderly person needs bed baths e.g. due to lack of strength or mobility, or during periods of weakness through illness.

Washable Bed Pads

Whilst a mattress protector is a good method of hygiene for all people, a washable bed pad provides extra padding for people for whom incontinence has become a concern.

Washable bed pads add a comfortable layer of highly absorbent thickness which holds accidents within the washable bed pad itself, preventing all of the dampness from reaching the user, the mattress or overall mattress protector.

A washable bed pad holds the liquid within its fibres and allows the user to sleep more comfortably and for longer. Washable bed pads fit all bed sizes i.e. single, double and king and can be used on top of, as well as under, the whole bed mattress protector.

Look for washable bed pads which have waterproof backing, keeping the bed dry underneath the pad.

Before purchasing, decide what level of absorbency is best for the user.

Whilst it might be commonplace in all households to change bed linen once a week, the use of washable bed pads for those with incontinence concerns will help limit the number of times that the whole bed linen will need to be changed.

Washable bed pads can be cleaned in the washing machine and some types can be tumble dried. Remember to read the product details before purchasing.

Bed Baths

Feeling clean and fresh contributes highly to the quality of our day.

When supporting a person who is confined to bed with having a bed bath, line the bed with several layers of towels, or a washable bed pad, to prevent the bed becoming damp. This will cut down on the need to have to change all of the linen on the bed.

Cover the individual with a towel, both for modesty and for warmth. Reveal only the part of the body which is being tended to, for the same reasons.

Help the individual roll over, so that all parts of the body can be accessed.

Dry the person thoroughly and apply moisturiser and / or powder, for both protecting the skin and for added comfort.

Washing the bed pad will be a quicker and more convenient process than having to change all of the bed linen (and maybe also washing the whole bed mattress protector) on the bed.

Limit bed baths to two or three times a week, as the individual’s skin may develop irritable skin or bed sores, if the skin is damp too often.

Summary

If you believe a loved one is experiencing incontinence, approach this topic gently with the individual, not only to cope with incontinence but also to ascertain if the condition can be cleared via medication. Putting the individual’s mind at rest will make the new routine easier to manage and complete.

If getting enough sleep is proving difficult, look at lifestyle changes (e.g. not drinking within two hours of going to bed, having a regular bedtime etc.), before opting for sleeping tablets, which can become addictive.

If bowel incontinence needs to be addressed, adding more fibre to one’s diet (e.g. more fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread and oatmeal) will help to improve this inconvenience. Eating more fibre will also minimise constipation which, in itself, can weaken muscles and adversely affect incontinence.

Using washable bed pads and seat pads, and changing them regularly, will stem any build up of unpleasant odour within the home.

Avoiding caffeine can go a long way towards handling incontinence.

Presence of bedsores must be managed, as worsening of this condition (maybe starting as reddening of the skin and leading on to deep damage which may expose bone) can prove fatal.

Remember that cheapest isn’t necessarily the best route to take, as product performance is much more important.

Source: https://www.essentialaids.com/blog/managing-incontinence-maintaining-hygiene.html