Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, is an autoimmune disease. It can cause joint pain, inflammation, redness, and stiffness. In addition to localized symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis can also cause systemic symptoms such as fevers, muscle pain, weakness, and fatigue. While some people enjoy long-term remission periods, others experience chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms. If you have severe rheumatoid arthritis and are unable to care for yourself or your home, consider the benefits and interventions that a senior in-home care services professional can provide.

Pain And Inflammation Interventions

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis can develop severe pain and swelling in their feet, which can increase the risk of falls when ambulating. Unlike osteoarthritis, which often affects only one side of the body or a single joint, rheumatoid arthritis typically affects both sides of the body and all of the joints.

Your senior in-home care services provider can give you your prescription medications, massage your joints, and help you elevate your legs for optimal circulation and pain relief, and to decrease inflammation.

They can also assist you with dressing, grooming, eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom. If you are unable to walk and are confined to a wheelchair, your caregiver can help you with your mobility by helping you transfer from your bed to your wheelchair and from your wheelchair to the toilet. In addition, if you are unable to grip utensils to feed yourself because of joint pain and stiffness, your caregiver can cut up your food for you and feed you if necessary.

Companion And Travel Interventions

In addition to the above pain and inflammation interventions, your senior in-home care services provider can also provide companion and travel services to help you manage your rheumatoid arthritis. They can take you to your medical and physical therapy appointments, grocery shopping, and to your family and friends' homes to help prevent social isolation. Your caregiver can also provide you with emotional support and assist you with your exercises as recommended by your physician.

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to depression and anxiety in some people. However, when your caregiver engages you in pleasant activities and stimulating conversation, depression and anxiety may be less likely to occur. 

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and cannot live alone because of your physical limitations, consider the above benefits a senior in-home care services provider can offer. When you receive the care that you need, you may have a more hopeful outlook for your future and enjoy more pain-free days.

For more information about senior in-home care services, contact a local company.