When Are Aches and Pains Something Your Dad Shouldn’t Ignore?

Name: TenderHearted Home Care and Samaritan Healthcare
Address: 130 N Arlington St, Suite H, Salisbury, North Carolina, 28144, United States
Telephone: (704) 612-4132
Price range: $

By TenderHearted Home Care, LLC | October 12, 2021 |

As you get older, it’s normal to start experiencing some aches and pains in your joints. Arthritis affects 49.6% of adults age 65 or older, so many adults will experience arthritis pain. When should your dad worry about his aches and pains?

Areas That Arthritis Targets

Companion Care at Home in Faith, NC: Aches and Pains

The ankles, knees, hips, back, and hands are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. That’s the most common form of arthritis. If your parent has gout, another type of arthritis, the big toes are likely to swell and become incredibly painful.

There’s also rheumatoid arthritis that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks tissue in the joints. It leads to inflammation in the joints, particularly the ankles, elbows, hands, feet, and shoulders.

Other Causes of Pain in Aging

Has your dad fallen recently? He may have fractured a bone. After any fall, it’s important to consult his doctor and see if x-rays are recommended.

Sometimes, calcification leads to bone spurs on certain bones in the body. Usually, bone spurs happen on the bones of the neck, spine, shoulders, hips, knees, and feet. Those bone spurs press on the tendons, nerves, and ligaments, causing numbness, tingling, and pain.

If your dad doesn’t use his shoulder enough, the connective tissues in the shoulder might tighten. When this happens, connective tissues thicken and become less flexible. That leads to pain in the affected shoulder.

Slipped discs are also a common cause of pain as you age. If your dad has a slipped disc, the pain will be focused on the lower back or the neck. Sometimes the pain radiates down the back of the legs.

Has He Talked to His Doctor?

No matter what pain your dad experiences, he should talk to his doctor. If it is arthritis, over-the-counter NSAID pain medications like ibuprofen can help alleviate the pain and stiffness. His doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants for other types of pain after diagnosing the cause.

He may also find his doctor recommends physical therapy and physiotherapy to improve his muscle strength and flexibility. In certain situations, steroid injections or surgery will be recommended. At that point, your dad will work out a care plan to ensure he has the support he needs during his recovery.

Would Caregivers Help With Daily Routines?

Don’t let your dad struggle with daily routines. If pain keeps him from doing some of the things on his chore list, it’s time to discuss companion care at home. Let caregivers help him with the more strenuous activities to avoid frustration. Call a companion care at home specialist to get started.