Exercise for a Loved One with Arthritis

If you’ve brought up the idea of exercising to your loved one who has arthritis, you probably are a little nervous about the idea. Your loved one might be resistant, too. But exercise is one of the best things for your loved one in order to combat the pain and the stiffness associated with arthritis. The trick is to find exercises that your loved one enjoys and to start out slowly with any exercise plan.

Why Exercise Helps Arthritis
Exercise helps to build the muscles around your loved one’s joints, which can help to relieve pain. Exercise also helps to keep your loved one’s weight under control, which helps when your loved one’s joints are in pain. Regular exercise also gives your loved one more energy so that it’s easier for her to deal with pain flare-ups. Many people mistakenly believe that if they exercise then it will make their joints hurt worse. In reality, the opposite is true. Regular exercise will help your loved one to keep moving.

Talk to Your Loved One’s Doctor
Before starting any exercise plan, it’s a good idea to talk to your loved one’s doctor. He can give you tips as to which exercises will be most effective for your loved one’s particular situation. He may also recommend working with a physical therapist in order to get better results. It’s a good idea for your loved one to work out with someone else, whether that’s with you or with an elder care provider who has experience with helping loved ones who have arthritis.

Some Exercises to Try
There are a variety of different exercises that your loved one’s doctor might recommend. They fall into categories such as range-of-motion exercises, cardio exercise, and exercises that strengthen your loved one’s muscles and joints. Stretching and range-of-motion exercises, such as yoga, help to improve your loved one’s ability to move and to stretch. Cardio exercises are good for your loved one’s overall health. They also help to get the blood moving throughout your loved one’s entire body, including the joints, which gets more oxygen and nutrients to those parts of her body. Walking is excellent exercise, and it’s something that even beginners can do easily without special equipment.

Once your loved one starts experiencing benefits from exercise, it should become easier.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care services in Harleysville, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.