Back pain and stiffness often interferes with the ability to perform daily activities. Use the following tips to help your senior loved one maintain a healthy back as he or she ages.
Encourage Proper Posture
Whether your loved one enjoys lounging in a chair or prefers standing, posture goes a long way toward keeping the spine in proper alignment. Help your loved one maintain proper posture by choosing ergonomic chairs. Consider having your loved one’s posture professionally assessed if you suspect his or her spine tends to slump out of alignment.
Backaches are just one of the many issues older adults are susceptible to. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care. Green Valley families trust in Embrace In-Home Care to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
Discourage Lifting Heavy Objects
Your loved one should not lift heavy weights if he or she lives with a condition that affects the back, such as degenerative disc disease. Since seniors are sometimes tempted to lift heavy objects when they live alone, you can prevent a serious strain by arranging for someone to stop by to help your loved one with chores several times a week.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Embrace In-Home Care, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Green Valley seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
Promote Good Sleep Hygiene
For seniors recovering from a recent illness or injury, getting adequate sleep at night is important. Make sure your loved one has a supportive mattress that prevents the spine from curving during sleep. If your loved one complains about back pain in the morning, you may need to explore new sleeping positions to alleviate pressure on the spine.
Treat New Injuries Promptly
Sometimes, backaches can result from injuries in other body parts. For example, limping due to a knee injury often causes the spine to go out of alignment. Over time, a misaligned spine can lead to back strain and pain that does not go away. Arrange for your loved one to have new injuries treated as soon as possible so pain does not travel to the back region.
Choose the Right Exercise Routine
Seniors who are told to exercise by their doctors may attempt to throw themselves wholeheartedly into a rigorous exercise routine. While you want to encourage your loved one to work out, there is also the potential to overdo it. Work with a physician or a professional trainer to develop a senior-friendly exercise plan that does not strain your loved one’s back.
Suggest New Ways to Relax
Stress plays a big role in the development of back pain because emotions can cause tension in certain parts of the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Find ways for your loved one to relax, such as talking to a friend or caregiver. Some light stretches can also be helpful for relieving tension in the areas around the spine.
Hiring an in-home caregiver is one of the best ways to help your loved one maintain a healthy life. In Green Valley, senior home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Embrace In-Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To learn about our premier in-home care plans, give us a call at (520) 625-2050 today.