Chronic pain can be a constant companion for elderly people, and the discomfort it causes can negatively impact their quality of life. In this blog, we have explored how elderly care providers can help their clients navigate and manage chronic pain by offering physical, emotional and mental support.
What is Chronic Pain, and Why Does it Affect The Elderly?
When pain lasts longer than three months, it is defined as chronic pain and can be caused by various conditions, including past injuries, arthritis and neuropathy. Unlike acute pain, which acts as a warning signal when something is wrong with the body, and abates once the issue is healed, chronic pain will persist much longer, past the initial healing period, and may be a constant or on/off pain.
For elderly people, health issues and injuries accumulated over their lives can contribute to chronic pain, as does the deterioration of muscles and joints and the subsequent development of arthritis and osteoporosis. With age, nerve function also begins to decline, and this can lead to an increase in pain sensitivity.
The relentlessness of chronic pain can fill an elderly person’s day with discomfort, frustration, anxiety and depression, impacting physical and mental wellbeing. But, with a care provider at their side, clients do not have to navigate this challenge alone.
How Can a Care Provider Help With Chronic Pain Management?
A care provider has many roles, from carrying out household chores to providing personal care and medication management to offering companionship and emotional support. There are various tasks care providers can perform to help their clients manage chronic pain, as we have explored below.
Personalising Care Plans
When it comes to chronic pain, a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective; every client is different, and individual requirements must be accounted for. Care teams can conduct assessments and hold thorough conversations to ensure a tailored care plan is created around the lifestyle, medical history, personal preferences and chronic pain experiences of the client. Personalising care plans is an essential part of providing high-quality, effective and person-centred care.
Managing Medication
Good medication management is crucial for somebody suffering from chronic pain. Getting older and facing more age-related health conditions could mean that elderly people are taking multiple medications, and it can be confusing to understand what they need to take and when. A care provider can help ensure that elderly people are taking their medication properly, arrange to collect new medication and monitor effectiveness. If the medication is designed to help manage chronic pain, then taking it correctly is essential for physical and mental wellbeing.
Supporting Physical Exercise
Physical activity can be a good way to manage chronic pain; however, for elderly people who struggle with mobility or find themselves in great discomfort, this can be a daunting thought. A care provider can incorporate appropriate physical activity into daily routines and supervise exercise to ensure clients aren’t exceeding limitations. Physical exercises could help reduce pain while improving mobility and general physical health. The presence of a care provider can also be a great source of encouragement and motivation, and someone to celebrate successes and milestones with.
Providing Emotional Support
Chronic pain doesn’t just take its toll on physical health; it can have negative impacts on mental health. A home care provider offers a friendly face and a listening ear, providing emotional support to elderly people and creating a compassionate environment. Creating a safe, supportive space and having meaningful conversations allows clients to open up and express their feelings about their pain. Care providers can listen and provide empathetic responses, companionship and reassurance, helping to reassure clients that they aren’t alone.
Adapting Lifestyles
Small lifestyle changes could be beneficial for managing chronic pain, and a care provider can assess their client’s daily life, identifying areas of improvement to help enhance comfort. Making adjustments to routines, diets and sleep patterns and introducing assistive devices and techniques for relaxing, could all contribute to helping an elderly individual manage their chronic pain more effectively.
Enquire about Elderly Care in South Manchester
By opting for elderly care in South Manchester, elderly people can receive physical, mental and emotional support in the comforting environment of their own home. The fantastic team at Beloved Homecare can offer several services: personal care, domestic care, 24-hour care, dementia care, and end-of-life care. This range of services allows us to adapt to the varying needs of our clients, and you can rely on our care teams to personalise care plans and take a person-centred approach to their care work.
If you have a loved one struggling with chronic pain and think elderly care in South Manchester could be a good solution for them, Beloved Homecare would love to help. Head to our website to learn more about our services and contact our team.