Manage Arthritis Pain in Old Age with the Right Exercises

Best Home Care Agencies

The stiffness, swelling, and pain associated with arthritis severely reduce the range of motion of joints; however avoiding physical activity due to pain or discomfort can result in significant muscle loss & weight gain. On the other hand, regular exercise helps improve joint function, increase range of motion, improve flexibility, and maintain a healthy weight. Even studies suggest that older adults with arthritis who exercise are more likely to experience less joint pain than those who don’t.

Typically, low-impact exercises work best for older adults with arthritis. Some of the effective exercises for them include:

Stretching
Stretching helps reduce stiffness, improve flexibility, and increase range of motion. When done every day, ideally during the morning, stretching can prove to be highly beneficial in relieving arthritis symptoms. An ideal stretching routine is different for everyone depending on which of their joints are affected & what symptoms they have. However, stretching often involves slow and gentle movements of the joints of one’s knees, elbows, and hands.

Pilates
It is an excellent low-impact activity which stabilizes the joints & strengthens the muscles around them. It is advisable for those who are new to Pilates to use a mat rather than a machine at the beginning in order to build muscle strength safely.

Flowing Movements, Like Tai Chi & YogaBoth Tai Chi and Yoga involve flowing movements, deep breathing, gentle poses, & meditation; which increase flexibility, range of motion, and balance while reducing mental stress. You can also consider getting a DVD of tai chi or yoga workouts which are specifically for people with arthritis.

Managing arthritis in old age becomes easier when you have a reliable in-home caregiver to look after you and your needs. As one of the leading agencies for elderly home care in NJ, we are dedicated to helping seniors age in place safely and independently by providing them the care they need. Call @ 1-844-284-4844 to learn more!

Top 5 Challenges Personal Care Companies Should Always Be Prepared For

Best Home Care Agencies

Here is a list of 5 challenges you must be prepared to face if you want to stay ahead of your competitors:

1. Prepare for an increased demand

With more aging individuals preferring to receive care in the comfort of home, many agencies for elderly home care will struggle to meet the growing demand with qualified staff and capable caregivers. You can start preparing for increased demand by ensuring you have the proper systems in place to handle it. 

2. Recruiting and retaining the right staff

Ensuring that the caregivers you recruit are well-qualified is a critical part of growing your home care agency. Even though there is a high demand for skilled staff and caregivers in the field, the number of qualified applicants available can vary depending upon which part of the country you are in.

3. Get referrals

Some areas of the country have highly saturated markets, often making it difficult for an elder care agency to obtain referrals. Home care consultants such as the ones at Associated Home Care of NJ can provide marketing support to help design your overall marketing plan, web presence, and print advertising you need to get the word out about your business.

4. Establish Partnerships

Establishing valuable partnerships with new and emerging entities is the key to growing your agency. These partnerships are known to open doors to another effective way of improving referrals.

5. Training and education

The policies and procedures your agency follows need to be kept up-to-date with the latest regulations and the staff needs to be informed about the changes. This process includes educating the employees regularly and providing training to improve patient care.

Founded to provide top-quality elderly assistance services to help seniors bring purpose to their life, Associated Home Care of NJ has now grown to offer all kinds of senior care services as well as home care marketing and consulting services in New Jersey. Visit www.associatedcares.com to know more. 

You can also dial the toll-free number 1-844-284-4844 to know more.

Combating Social Isolation in Old Age

With over one-third of senior population of America living alone, isolation in older adults has become more common than ever before. Moreover, due to reasons like loss of spouse, limited mobility, chronic health problems, etc; socialization can be difficult to maintain in old age, which significantly contributes to making older adults prone to isolation. According to studies, social isolation in the elderly may lead to the following detrimental health effects:

• An increase in the number of falls
• An increase in the risk of all-cause mortality 
• An increase in the risk of developing dementia
• An increase in the risk of re-hospitalization 

If you have an aging member in your family, here is how you can help them avoid social isolation:

Boost their self-esteem through compliments – Compliment your loved one as much as possible. Positive comments can help boost their self-esteem and ensure that they do not fret over the effects of aging showing on their face or body. When they’ll have a positive body image, they won’t be self-conscious and avoid social interactions.  

Encourage them to dine with others – Whenever possible, encourage them to share a meal with others, be it with friends, family, relatives, or a church group they are a part of. Eating with others is inherently social and can also help promote better nutrition. 

Encourage them to regularly attend their place of worship – If your senior loved one is religious and has been a regular churchgoer; make sure they always attend the religious services to benefit from the social interaction as well as the sense of purpose which the worship provides. 

These small steps can go a long way in ensuring that your loved one remains socially connected. If you often keep busy due to a hectic work schedule, you can seek elderly assistance from Associated Home Care of NJ! To learn about us or our home care services, feel free to call us @ 1-844-284-4844.