Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, mood issues, and memory problems. Women are diagnosed with the condition more often than men. Scientists believe the condition causes the body to feel pain more acutely by affecting the way the brain processes signals about pain. Being a family caregiver to a senior with fibromyalgia can be difficult because you may wonder what you can do to help them.
Caregiver in Laguna Woods CA: Senior Fibromyalgia Tips
Below are some tips to help you care for your aging family member with fibromyalgia.
-Build Your Knowledge Base
Taking the time to learn as much as possible about fibromyalgia will help you better assist with symptom management. It will also help you to understand how the senior is affected by the condition, including some of the emotions that accompany a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Knowing more about fibromyalgia can also help you to ensure they receive proper care and treatment.
-Find a Happy Medium
People with fibromyalgia probably don’t want to talk about the condition all the time. Spend time doing and talking about other things. Being engaged in activities they enjoy can help the older adult to forget for a little while about the condition. However, don’t ignore the fact that they have fibromyalgia. Talk about the condition when necessary. Ask how they are feeling. If they need to cancel plans or don’t want to do something because of pain, be respectful of the situation.
-Encourage Exercise
Remaining physically active can help ease symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, fibromyalgia pain can make exercise difficult and may make the person not want to be physically active. Encourage the senior to exercise by finding forms of physical activity that they enjoy, such as going for walks or taking a dance class.
-Suggest a Support Group
Fibromyalgia is a frustrating condition because there is no cure for it. It’s also not well understood, which can make it difficult to talk to people about. A support group is a safe place where the senior can talk about their condition with other people who know what they are going through. They may even learn self-care tips from others who have more experience with the disease.
-Seek Elderly Care
Hiring an elderly care provider to assist the older adult when family caregivers are not available can be a great way to offer support. An elderly care provider can help with household tasks on days when the senior isn’t up to them. They can also remind the person to take medications. An elderly care provider can provide transportation to and from medical appointments, stores, and other places.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a caregiver in Laguna Woods, CA, please contact the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today!
1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Sources:
Fmcpaware.org
Everydayhealth.com
Fibromyalgia.newlifeoutlook.com
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