Elder Care in Turnersville, NJ: Exercise Tips that May Help Alleviate Arthritis Symptoms

Exercise is important for everyone in order to maintain overall health but for seniors with arthritis, exercise can be painful and seem impossible. Often times, the elderly who suffer from arthritis are reluctant to exercise due to the stiffness and pain in the joints. There are exercises that you can encourage a senior to partake in as part of elder care.

Exercise is one of the best ways to manage pain when it comes to arthritis. Ironically, though the pain of arthritis often prevents people from exercising. An elderly home care provider should try to encourage an arthritis-friendly exercise regimen a few times a week.

Before you can implement an exercise routine, you will need to know what type of arthritis your loved one is dealing with. Once a person is diagnosed with a particular type of arthritis, the doctor will prescribe the right anti-inflammatory medication or therapy. It is important for the pain to be under control before starting an exercise workout.

Start slowly with gentle range-of-motion exercises to warm up. This can include arm circles, hip lifts, and toe touches. Placing a heat pack on the most painful areas prior to exercising can be helpful to relax and loosen up muscles and joints.

Low impact exercises are easier on the joints and muscles. These could include water aerobics, swimming, stationary cycling, and elliptical machines. Studies have shown that Tai Chi, an ancient for of Chinese martial arts, is helpful for reducing pain and increasing mobility for people with different types of arthritis.

Don’t be afraid to mix up an exercise regimen. This will help to keep you loved one from losing interest or becoming bored. Always consult with the doctor regarding the workout plan to ensure that you are performing exercises that meet the capacity of the individual. Focus should be on safe exercises that develop cardiovascular capacity and overall strength and flexibility.

Avoid workouts that cause pain. It is okay to exercise to the point of being tired but it is not good to push through the pain. A person with arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, who is in pain while exercising should stop immediately. Pain could be the body’s way of saying something is wrong.

The most beneficial exercises a senior can do are exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting arthritic joints. When providing elder care to a senior with arthritis, consider consulting the doctor regarding the right exercise plan.