People of all ages experience chronic joint pain. Even young people, particularly athletes, may deal with serious joint issues that some of their elders haven’t yet encountered. But as we get older, the likelihood of such problems increases.
Just as active young people aren’t content to live with joint pain, neither should those intent on enjoying independent senior living. Today, medical treatments and joint-focused exercise can effectively alleviate pain and prevent otherwise active retirees from sitting on the senior living sidelines.
Pain relief at Country Meadows
Chronic, or ongoing, joint pain in seniors is often related to arthritis, which can affect joints in just about any part of the body. That’s why Country Meadows Retirement Communities partners with the Arthritis Foundation to conduct activities focused on easing joint pain. All residents of our Pennsylvania and Maryland retirement homes—whether residing in an assisted living or personal care home, or a senior independent living community—are welcome to participate in these programs.
Each Country Meadows campus has an Arthritis Foundation-approved therapy pool, which offers relief to residents with joint pain or who have had knee or hip replacement surgery. The pool’s underwater treadmill and jet system provide aquatic rehabilitation therapy. In addition, we partner with the Arthritis Foundation to lead exercise classes, both aquatic and non-aquatic, which help residents increase muscle and bone strength. Participants can also try alternative techniques such as Tai Chi, OsteoBall® and Exerstrider walking poles.
Symptoms and treatments of arthritis
The National Institute on Aging describes three common types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis is the most typical form, affecting about 27 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It most often occurs in the hands, neck, lower back, knees and hips. Joints become stiff and achy, and pain can become chronic. Bony knots in finger joints are common.
- Rheumatoid arthritis can cause long-lasting pain, swelling and stiffness in nearly any joint. More common in women, it may affect many joints at once and be accompanied by tiredness and fever. It can also cause issues with the heart, muscles, blood vessels, nervous system and eyes.
- Gout can be very painful and, though it frequently strikes the big toe, it can affect other joints as well. The skin over the joint may become red or purple and quite tender.
If you or a loved one experiences pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, warmth or redness in joints, or difficulty moving them, see your physician or an arthritis specialist, known as a rheumatologist. The physician may prescribe medication, shots or, for debilitating pain, surgery to repair or replace joints Increasingly, some doctors are using and finding success with acupuncture and dietary supplements.
If you’re considering a move to a senior retirement home near you and want to remain as physically active as possible, we invite you to contact us to learn more about Country Meadows. We can give you a tour of any of our senior living homes and introduce you to the broad range of services we could offer you or your loved one. Our exercise and fitness programs are led by qualified instructors and tailored to the physical needs of our residents. Country Meadows has 10 locations in Pennsylvania, including retirement homes in Lancaster, York (South and West) and Pittsburgh, as well as one in Frederick, Maryland.
Country Meadows
