Lupus is a disease that triggers the immune system to attack the body, and it’s a disease that affects millions of people around the globe. The late-onset variety of this autoimmune disease is particularly common in seniors and can lead to the end of their ability to live independently. However, many aging adults would still prefer to age at home instead of moving somewhere else. Family caregivers with elderly relatives who have lupus are certainly going to want to look into hiring in-home care to make it work.
How Lupus Affects Senior Living
With lupus, a person’s body turns on itself and causes the immune system to attack the tissues and organs aggressively. Nearly a fifth of all new lupus cases are diagnosed in elderly adults, making it a common condition in the senior community. The symptoms of lupus can interfere with an elderly adult’s daily life so much that they have difficulty caring for themselves. Symptoms include fever, stiffness, headaches, fatigue, dry eye and chronic pain. Over the long term, seniors with lupus can develop lung inflammation, kidney damage, heart attacks, infections and a greater than average risk of cancer.
While there is no cure for lupus, there are several treatment options available. Avoiding triggers is a big factor in treatment, and these include smoking, exposure to the sun and high stress levels. Certain medicines, both oral and topical, can also help alleviate the symptoms. Healthy meals and regular exercise are helpful as well. All this means that family caregivers have a lot to do to make sure their aging loved one is well-cared for, and they cannot do it alone. That’s where in-home care providers can make a big impact.
How In-Home Care Providers Help Seniors with Lupus
One of the most impactful things that family caregivers can do to help their aging loved one deal with lupus daily is to hire a home care provider. This professional and experienced assistant can take a lot of the stress away from the senior’s daily life by taking care of the housework and laundry, as well as meal planning and preparation. The home care provider can also help with getting the aging adult ready for the day via bath or shower and in getting them dressed. Seniors won’t get bored either and an aging adult will always have a companion nearby to assist them if they need help.
Home care providers can also help seniors be proactive against the disease. They can help with applying the creams that keep the external symptoms under control and remind senior of when to take oral medications. They can provide encouragement in healthy eating and regular exercise department and give motivation where it is needed most. When the unique demands of living with lupus are enough to make an aging adult feel down and discouraged, the help of a compassionate and experienced home care provider can make all the difference and keep their mind and hearts upbeat and optimistic.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Park City, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today at 406-839-2390.
