When it comes to chronic pain in seniors, it’s easy to blame a diagnosis. But what if arthritis isn’t the only culprit? What if it’s also the chair they sink into every afternoon? The chilly bedroom they wake up in each morning? The restless night’s sleep that leaves them feeling stiffer than the day before?
Chronic pain isn’t caused by these everyday things, but it can certainly be made worse by them. In fact, some of the biggest pain triggers are hiding in plain sight throughout the home.
The good news is that recognizing these hidden pain multipliers can lead to simple changes that make life more comfortable.
1. The favorite chair.
We all have one! It’s almost as though we have assigned seats at home, gravitating towards the same seat every day. But for an older adult with arthritis or chronic joint pain, the wrong chair can make every trip to the kitchen or bathroom a little more difficult.
A seat that’s too low, cushions that have become overly soft, or furniture without sturdy armrests force the body to work harder every time they stand up or sit down. Beds that are too high or too low can create similar challenges. When these movements are repeated throughout the day, they can place unnecessary strain on already painful joints.
Small adjustments, such as adding a firmer cushion, raising a chair slightly, or choosing seating with better support, can make these movements easier and more comfortable.
2. A cold house.
Have you noticed an older loved one complaining that their joints ache more when the temperature drops? While researchers continue to study the relationship between weather and arthritis, there’s little doubt that chilly indoor temperatures can leave muscles feeling tighter and joints stiffer.
Something as simple as sitting near a drafty window or getting out of a warm bed into a cool room can make movement uncomfortable, especially first thing in the morning.
Try keeping commonly used rooms comfortably warm, minimizing drafts, and maintaining healthy indoor humidity to create a more comfortable environment throughout the day.
3. Lack of sleep.
This is a tough one to tackle, especially for seniors whose sleep patterns have changed. When someone doesn’t sleep well, they’re often more sensitive to pain the following day. At the same time, chronic pain frequently makes it harder to get a good night’s sleep. Before long, poor sleep and chronic pain begin reinforcing one another, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break.
A supportive mattress, comfortable pillows, a consistent sleep schedule, and careful positioning in bed can all help improve sleep quality, which may also increase overall comfort during the day.
4. Repetitive movements.
When you think about activities that aggravate chronic pain, you might first think of things like lifting heavy boxes or doing strenuous yard work. However, it’s often the small, repetitive movements that take the biggest toll.
Reaching into low cabinets. Twisting while getting dressed. Standing at the kitchen counter to prepare a meal. Bending to pick something up from the floor. Individually, these tasks don’t seem like much. Together, they can leave an older adult feeling noticeably more sore by the end of the day.
Finding safer, more comfortable ways to complete everyday tasks can reduce unnecessary strain while helping conserve energy.
Look Beyond the Pain
Medication certainly plays an important role in managing chronic pain, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. The home environment and daily routines also influence how someone feels from one day to the next.
Making a few adjustments won’t eliminate chronic pain, but it may reduce some of the unnecessary discomfort that builds throughout the day. Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference.
How We Can Help
At Advanced Home Health Care, our caregivers help older adults feel more comfortable in a variety of ways, like assisting with safe mobility, helping with comfortable positioning, and providing support for tasks that cause strain, all while helping seniors remain independent at home.
We’re here for someone you love in Burlington, Mediapolis, Fort Madison, and throughout Southeast Iowa, whenever you need us. Contact us at 800.791.7785 to schedule a free in-home consultation and learn more about our home care services.