Thumb arthritis is a common condition, especially among elderly individuals, and it often starts with pain and discomfort at the base of the thumb that can extend to the wrist and fingers. It occurs when cartilage in the thumb joint wears away, leading to inflammation. Conditions like osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis can increase the likelihood of developing thumb arthritis.
With the right care and adjustments, including support from 24-hour home care when needed, your loved one can manage their symptoms effectively and maintain their independence.
Six Tips for Managing Thumb Arthritis
Many people live with thumb arthritis and find they just need to make some changes to how they navigate their days. With some changes and 24-hour home care, your loved one should still be able to remain independent.
Purchase Assistive Devices
There are plenty of hand tools on the market for those who have limited strength in their hands to help make daily living easier. Your loved one may find items such as jar openers, key turners, and zipper pulls that will help her manage many of her daily care tasks.
If needed, bigger home changes such as changing doorknobs for door handles can help.
Apply Ice and Heat
Your loved one should try both and see what feels better. Some people prefer icy a swollen arthritic area to reduce swelling while others enjoy the soothing and comforting feeling of heat. Both can help, and your loved one may even switch them up as needed.
Use Over-the-Counter Medications
Have your loved one talk to her doctor about which over-the-counter pain medications are best for her, especially if she needs to take them regularly. Another option is a pain-reliever NSAID cream to provide immediate relief to the affected area.
Get Enough Sleep
Poor sleep or lack of sleep has a direct link to joint pain. Make sure your loved one is on a regular sleeping schedule and getting the recuperative rest she needs each night.
Practice Physical Therapy Techniques
Keeping the hand moving helps arthritis. A physical therapist can show your loved one the best exercises to do each day to build up strength in her thumb joint and surrounding areas.
Consider Surgery
If your loved one doesn’t find any relief or enough relief by implementing new practices at home and trying physical therapy, her doctor may recommend surgery. There are several different surgeries that might provide relief, and most are done on an outpatient basis, where your loved one will be required to wear a cast for several weeks and then perform more physical therapy to help her regain her thumb joint strength.
24-Hour Home Care Can Help with After-Surgery Care
If your loved one and her physician have determined that surgery is her best option, your loved one may need some round-the-clock care at home after the surgery. She may find she will not be able to drive herself afterward and might need help with personal care needs like bathing and dressing.
A 24-hour home care team can step in and help her negotiate those days following surgery by assisting with meals, transportation, as well as personal care needs. With the help of a 24-hour home care team, your loved one can focus on taking the steps needed to recover and will soon be feeling better and ready to regain many of the activities she had to give up because of the thumb arthritis.
If you or an aging loved one needs 24-Hour Home Care in Fair Oaks, CA, contact A Better Living Home Care today (916) 514-7006
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