When you are caring for someone with arthritis, it can be overwhelming and exhausting, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. This guide for CDPAP caregivers will help you break down the information that you need to know to care for your arthritis patient well while also caring for yourself.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. If you are already caring for someone with arthritis, you know that it can range from mild to debilitating and that it often worsens with time and age.
Arthritis is a broad term for over 100 different diseases; many types of arthritis can affect other parts of your body besides the joints, such as organs, tissues, and even the skin. It is estimated that up to 20% of adults suffer from some form of arthritis, whether they know it or not.
There are many causes of arthritis, not all of which are fully understood. The most common are explained in the next section.
What Causes Arthritis?
Researchers speculate that a virus may initially trigger an immune response by the body, which then becomes chronically activated. The immune system turns on itself, basically overreacting to things in its environment by inflaming certain sections of the body and causing pain.
No one knows exactly what causes arthritis in some people and not others, and therefore there is no cure for it. Arthritis comes in many forms, each with its own underlying cause.
Different Types of Arthritis
There are many types of arthritis. The most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, and gout.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type, causing the cartilage in your joints to wear away over time. When the cartilage wears down, your bones rub against each other, causing mild to severe pain depending on how long the disease has been progressing.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis also affects the joints, but instead of being caused by normal wear and tear of the cartilage and joints through age, it is caused by the body’s immune system attacking itself. It makes the joint linings swell—the most common places of rheumatoid pain are in their hands, wrists, and knees.
Gout
Gout happens when the body cannot get rid of a substance called uric acid. Uric acid occurs normally in every person, but when there is an excess and the body can’t get rid of it, it forms needle-shaped crystals in the joints that cause swelling and severe pain. The most common places that gout sufferers feel pain are in their toes, knees, and wrists.
Less common forms of arthritis include juvenile idiopathic, psoriatic, ankylosing, septic, and thumb.
Depending on the severity and type of arthritis, symptoms can vary. Common symptoms are explained in the next section.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthritis can present differently in each person, but if you or someone you love is experiencing fever, fatigue, or rash along with the following joint symptoms, you should see a doctor to come up with a treatment plan.
· Pain
· Swelling
· Tenderness
· Redness
· Stiffness or restricted movement
· Unnatural warmth
· Weakness
· Deformities
These symptoms can sound quite debilitating, especially when they are all present. There is help, however.
Arthritis Patient Care Plan
There are many ways to help treat patients with arthritis.
Occupational Therapy
If you are helping to create a treatment plan for someone with arthritis, occupational therapy should be on that list. An occupational therapist will help the patient find ways to do their normal activities in easier ways that do not cause so much pain.
Traditional Western Medicine
Medicine is also very effective in treating pain. A doctor can help determine how serious the arthritis is and the type and dose of medication that will help relieve symptoms while reducing inflammation in the long run.
Once arthritis becomes severe enough, many patients opt for surgery. Surgery can remove the damaged tissue in the joints, and can even replace joints if necessary.
Emotional and Behavioral Support
Many people also find that cognitive behavioral therapy helps to keep a patient in a positive, can-do mindset. They can manage their pain through positive thinking, education, and behavior modification techniques. Guided imagery, music, distraction, or relaxation techniques are just a few examples.
Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine has also proven effective in many patients, although it is not yet approved by the FDA. Anecdotally, many patients have found that acupuncture, fish oil, and herbs can significantly help reduce inflammation as well.
At-Home Remedies
There are also plenty of at-home remedies and lifestyle changes that are effective.
Heat and Cold
Applying heat and cold packs often to the affected joints can relieve a great deal of pain. Heat increases blood flow, which reduces swelling. Cold packs can help with pain after the patient has had to use their joints in daily activities.
Exercise and Diet
Exercise increases flexibility, decreases pain, and helps improve blood flow. Exercise also helps to keep patients at a healthy weight, which reduces stress on the joints. Exercise always produces more endorphins, which help with the cognitive positivity mentioned above.
Try to keep your patient comfortable while allowing them the amount of independence they want to have. They need to move around and change positions frequently so that they don’t develop bedsores and so that their joints still get healthy movement.
Talk with the patient’s doctor or nurse about a plan structured for them regarding appropriate diet and the right amount of exercise.
Rest
Making sure your patient rests is important, too, especially after exercising or increased movement. Make sure your patient uses good body mechanics and retains good posture. Using canes or walkers for support is always a great option.
Falls
Someone with arthritis is at a greater risk of falling, even in normal daily activity. Helping them with their daily tasks as needed may include the use of toilet seat risers, chairs with higher seats and arm sets, and the use of devices to assist in moving positions or walking. These can all help prevent falls.
Emotional Support
Remember that arthritis patients will have good and bad days. It’s important to be a positive influence in the ups as well as the downs. It’s also important to help the patient’s family cope, as they may be processing emotions and struggling to watch their loved one be in pain. They may need help figuring out new roles and responsibilities. Encouraging and praising the patient when they do things on their own can help them maintain a positive outlook.
All of this may seem overwhelming to process! When you are caring for someone with arthritis, it may seem like a full-time job. Read on to make sure you also know how to care for yourself.
Tips for Caregivers of Arthritis Patients
You can’t give from an empty cup!
Take care of yourself with rest, time away (even if it’s just a walk around the block), healthy food and exercise, and plenty of water and sleep. If you can, bring in a nurse covered by health insurance or another friend or family member who can help share duties with you.
Caring for someone with arthritis isn’t easy, but if you pool your resources and educational materials, it can be done in a way that helps them live more comfortably while still allowing you to care for yourself, as well.