5 Ways to Help Seniors Manage Chronic Pain

As we age, we become more susceptible to painful chronic health conditions. According to the National Institute of Health, 53% of seniors have persistent pain.

Professional caregivers play an essential role in helping clients alleviate their chronic pain. But aside from driving them to doctor’s appointments, what steps can caregivers take to help seniors manage their aches and pains?

Keep reading to learn five helpful pain management tips for caregivers.

1. Keep Them Active

The last thing older adults with chronic pain want to do is exercise. However, stagnation can weaken muscles, increasing discomfort. Visiting Angels Littleton, CO, in-home caregivers can help seniors stay healthy and pain-free by encouraging them to move. Take a stroll in the park, do low-impact workouts, or drive them to an aqua aerobics class.

2. Prepare the Proper Meals

A person’s diet can significantly impact their chronic pain symptoms. Eating the right foods is an effective way to reduce stiffness and inflammation. When preparing meals for clients, caregivers should pay close attention to the ingredients and avoid using inflammatory foods.

Foods to avoid include processed meat, sodas, and refined carbohydrates, like white rice and pizza dough. Other foods, including tomatoes, leafy greens, fruits, fatty fish, and nuts, can reduce chronic pain.

3. Medication Management

Taking anti-inflammatory meds can help relieve chronic pain symptoms. However, with many older adults taking more than one medication, seniors might take their meds incorrectly or forget to take them altogether.

Caregivers can assist clients with medication management, gentle reminders, and prescription refilling. Staying on top of medications is an important component of pain management.

4. Stress Management

Like taxes, stress is an unavoidable part of life. But seniors need to learn healthy coping strategies. Too much stress can increase chronic pain. Caregivers can help older adults feel calmer by participating in stress-reducing activities like meditation and stretching.

Is your client feeling agitated? If they can walk, suggest taking a trip to the park. While there, practice mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or listening to the peaceful sounds of nature.

5. Hot/Cold Therapy

Lastly, hot and cold applications can help seniors manage their chronic pain. Cold compresses reduce inflammation, while heat promotes circulation, calming muscles and helping the body heal itself.

Caregivers can help clients prepare their cold or hot compresses. Put an ice pack in the freezer overnight and give it to your client in the morning. You can also prepare a warm bath or assist a client with taking a soothing shower.

Caregivers Play a Pivotal Role in Pain Management

Visiting Angels’ experienced caregivers help our clients manage their chronic pain. Our compassionate homecare professionals can assist seniors with meal planning and preparation, medication management, stress-coping strategies, and ability-appropriate exercises.

Want to learn how we can help you or your loved one? Contact us today by calling 720-981-0804. We serve seniors throughout Littleton, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Parker, Greenwood Village, Evergreen, and the South Denver, CO, metro area.