Does your elderly loved one have arthritis? Arthritis can make everyday activities painful and sometimes impossible. Opening a jar of pickles may be impossible or traversing up and down stairs may become painful and increase the risk of failing. No matter where in the body your loved one has arthritis, it’s sure to negatively impact her life. A senior home care team can help your loved one implement changes that will help her feel better.
Symptoms of Arthritis.
The joints affected by arthritis have similar symptoms no matter which part of the body they are in. They are typically stiff, inflamed, sore, and have a limited amount of mobility. There isn’t a cure for arthritis so for most individuals, it comes down to managing symptoms.
A treatment plan may include medication, lifestyle changes, and assistive devices. One area that can greatly reduce arthritis symptoms is diet.
Eating Right Can Help with Arthritis Symptoms
Diet can play a big part in managing your loved one’s arthritis. Having a team that provides senior home care and assists with meals can help your loved one make dietary changes to better care for her arthritis pain. It starts with purchasing the best ingredients at the store so that they are in the home when the senior home care team is there to prepare the meals.
Try adding these items to the next shopping list.
Tart cherries. Cherries are great at reducing uric acid which is one of the main causes of gout – a form of arthritis. Look for tart cherries (not sweet) or cherry extract if gout is the type of arthritis your loved one has.
Turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory that reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and dysfunctional T cells and B cells involved in rheumatoid arthritis. It is delicious with fish, in rice dishes, and with vegetables. Combine it with something fatty for the best absorption.
Fatty Fish. Fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids are great for reducing inflammation and the symptoms of arthritis. Adding salmon, trout, tuna, and mackerel to your loved one’s diet a couple of times a week can help fight inflammation.
Garlic, Onions, Leeks, and Shallots. These alliums all contain diallyl disulfide, a compound that reduces cartilage-damaging enzymes.
Sulfur-rich vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli. Sulforaphane slows or prevents the production of B-cells and inflammatory cytokines, both of which increase inflammatory arthritis.
Fruits rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C plays an important part in wound healing and might help prevent osteoarthritis from worsening.
While eating the right foods is a great step in helping your loved one manage her arthritis, she not only needs to add healthy foods like the above, but she may also need to reduce or trim out foods that are known to cause inflammation.
Some foods that her senior home care team can help her replace in her diet are:
- Sugary foods and drinks which can cause the body to release cytokines and increase inflammation
- Fried foods that are soaked in saturated fats
- Processed and red meats are also high in saturated fats
- Dairy products whose primary protein is casein, are known to increase inflammation in some people.
Dietary changes can seem overwhelming and challenging as your loved one worries about learning how to prepare new foods and become distressed over walking away from some of their favorite foods.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care Services in Atlanta GA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (404) 266-8773
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Atlanta, Palmetto, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Milton, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Hapeville, Johns Creek, and all of Fulton County.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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