The latest recommendations make it even easier to exercise for arthritis management.

We all need to exercise and stay as physically active as possible, and older adults are no exception. But those who are challenged by the pain and stiffness of arthritis have an additional hurdle to overcome to maintain a healthy level of physical activity.

The good news: the most recent recommendations reduce the level of intensity of activity for older adults diagnosed with arthritis, suggesting as little as just 45 minutes of exercise per week to achieve and maintain a higher degree of functionality – much less intimidating for those who may typically shy away from exercise.

Per Northwestern University professor Dorothy Dunlop, “Even a little activity is better than none. For those older people suffering from arthritis who are minimally active, a 45-minute minimum … Read More »

Have you ever had to deal with discomfort or tightness in your joints shortly after periods of inactivity or excessive use? You may be suffering from osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent form of arthritis. So, what’s going on inside your body? The breaking down of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and reduced movement in the joint. This type of arthritis generally impacts the knees, hips, neck, hands, and lower back.

If you believe osteoarthritis is slowing you down, Hired Hands Homecare advises getting a thorough examination by a physician—and we’re on hand to supply the professional Marin, CA home care services to improve quality of life.

The information below can help you recognize the symptoms of osteoarthritis, plus tactics to help effectively manage the condition.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms:

Stiffness or pain in joints following periods of inactivity … Read More »

Osteoarthritis impacts as many as 27 million Americans, making it the most widespread kind of arthritis. It is a main reason behind work disability and reduced quality of life. Nonetheless, managing osteoarthritis doesn’t mean simply popping pills to numb the pain. There are numerous other methods to deal with osteoarthritis pain.

Once correctly diagnosed, there are multiple tactics to manage the pain of osteoarthritis. Some ways are more common than others, but considering not every person reacts to various treatments in the same manner, it is a good idea for each person to try a few strategies (under the supervision of a health care provider) to discover what works best. The Petaluma home care experts at Hired Hands Homecare recommend the following:

Weight Control

One of the most significant ways to handle the discomfort of arthritis is maintaining a healthy weight. For each … Read More »

With the holidays approaching, you might be thinking about festive meals and family gatherings centered around favorite foods and traditions. But what about the rest of the year? Is everyone in your family—particularly older loved ones—getting proper nutrition on a regular basis? While holiday feasts might be an exception, many older adults quietly struggle with senior nutrition problems for a variety of reasons. The first step to helping older loved ones stay nourished and healthy year-round is learning about the challenges they may be facing.

Health Conditions and Medications

For many older adults, chronic health conditions and the medications used to treat them play a significant role in their struggle with malnutrition. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or digestive disorders can limit food intake or reduce the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. Additionally, medications commonly prescribed for … Read More »

Living with pain means accepting that some days will be better than others…and that finding ways to reduce chronic pain becomes paramount. While arthritis and other chronic conditions naturally have their ups and downs, everyday routines may also influence how much discomfort an older adult experiences.

The surprising part is that these pain triggers often have nothing to do with medication or medical treatment. Instead, they come from ordinary parts of daily life, including the furniture someone uses, the temperature inside the home, how well they sleep, and the way they move throughout the day.

Taking a closer look at these often-overlooked factors may help make each day a little more comfortable.

1. The chair you always choose.

It’s easy to understand why someone returns to the same favorite chair every day. It’s familiar, comfortable, and part of the … Read More »

From painting to poetry, the benefits of art for seniors include memory support, emotional healing, self-confidence, and more.

It might start with a paintbrush, a lump of clay, or a blank sheet of paper. But what happens next can be truly transformative. For older adults, engaging in creative expression is good for the brain, the heart, and the soul.

These exercise tips for older adults are fun, doable and perfect for boosting health and connection.

It doesn’t take a major life event to spark a desire for change. Sometimes it’s the little things: a restless night, feeling sluggish, or hearing a loved one say, “I just don’t feel like myself lately.” If that sounds familiar, the solution may be simpler than expected. These exercise tips for older adults offer small, realistic ways to get moving again, and feel better in body, mind, and mood.

Choosing the best adaptive clothing for seniors helps preserve comfort, confidence, and independence.

You might not think twice about what it takes to get yourself dressed each morning, but if you’re helping someone with arthritis, limited mobility, or other health challenges, you know it’s often not that simple. The best adaptive clothing for seniors is imperative to make life easier and restore a sense of independence, dignity, and control.

Identifying the signs of substance misuse in older adults is the first step towards getting them help.

It’s not unusual for Dad to enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner, but lately, you’ve noticed that he’s gravitating towards stronger drinks more frequently, and earlier in the day. He might say it helps with sleep or eases the aches of arthritis, but is there more to be concerned about?

Could Alzheimer’s disease be an autoimmune condition? Find out here!

Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s has become as tangled as the tau threads long thought to be the root cause of the disease. But now, research workers may be drawing one step closer to unraveling the puzzle of Alzheimer’s, by using a different train of thought. New studies are leaning towards the potential of an inflammatory response in the brain, which poses the question: could Alzheimer’s disease be an autoimmune condition?