Our joints help older adults stay independent, but they can wear out over the years. Taking care of them is more important than most people think. It’s one of the easiest ways to help a loved one stay active and healthy. So how can you help a loved one keep their joints healthy with age?
To keep joints healthy with age, some small lifestyle adjustments are recommended. Diet, exercise, and overall health play an important role in joint health. With proper nutrition, regular exercise, and regular checkups, you can help a loved one keep their joints healthy with age.
Common Causes of Joint Pain
Joint pain is a common issue. Over the years, wear and tear can take a toll on joints and lead to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Meanwhile, underlying medical conditions can inflame the area and cause swelling or irritation. Some common causes of joint pain in older adults include:
- Arthritis, a condition that develops when the cartilage inside joints starts to wear away
- Being overweight, as this puts additional strain on joints throughout the body
- Osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become brittle and prone to fractures
- Tendinitis, an inflammation of the tendons that attach muscles to bones
Understanding the cause of your loved one’s joint pain is the first step toward helping them manage their condition. So how can you help?
Tips for Managing Joint Pain
Helping a loved one manage their joint pain requires a comprehensive approach. You’ll need to consider 3 major factors:
- Diet and nutrition
- Exercise routine
- Lifestyle habits
If your loved one’s joint pain affects their everyday life, visit a healthcare professional. While some pain can be effectively managed through the above changes, constant pain is unusual. It could be a sign of something serious, so trust your healthcare provider.
How Diet Affects Joint Health
What your loved one eats can have a significant impact on their joint health. Certain nutrients are important for keeping joints in good shape. These include:
- Omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation
- Calcium and vitamin D, which strengthen the bones
- Antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress
- Vitamin C, which helps make collagen for your cartilage
Encourage your loved one to work more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats into their diet. These give them the nutrients needed to keep their joints healthier.
Staying hydrated is also important—it helps keep cartilage in the joints softer and flexible. By changing up their diet to include more healthy foods, your loved one can support their joint health and reduce inflammation.
How Exercise Affects Joint Health
Exercise plays a key role in keeping joints healthy. Regular physical activity improves flexibility and strength to make it easier to move around without pain. It also helps reduce stiffness in the joints.
Some types of exercise are especially good for joint health. Low-impact activities are gentle on the joints while still offering benefits. Some senior-friendly low-impact exercises include:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Cycling
- Stretching
Staying active also helps maintain a healthy weight. Excessive weight puts additional stress on the joints, which then causes pain and discomfort. By encouraging a loved one to exercise, you can help them take pressure off their joints to keep them stronger.
How Lifestyle Habits Affect Joint Health
Your loved one’s everyday habits can also affect how their joints feel as they age. A sedentary lifestyle can make their joints stiff and weak. Try encouraging them to move around more often, even if it’s just standing up and stretching. This helps prevent stiffness and discomfort in their joints and limbs.
Other unhealthy habits, like smoking and drinking too much, can harm joints. Smoking reduces blood flow, which slows down healing. Meanwhile, alcohol can weaken bones and joints over time. These unhealthy habits can cause plenty of problems, so encourage your loved one to cut back—or quit—these habits.
One often-overlooked factor is simple: sleep. Good sleep is an important part of joint health. When sleeping, your loved one’s body repairs itself—including their joints. Poor sleep can lead to more pain and stiffness. It’s important to encourage them to get enough rest each night by establishing a regular sleep routine.
Supporting the Journey to Improved Fitness
Keeping joints healthy with age can have a significant impact on quality of life. It’s a key part of staying active, healthy, and independent with age. That’s why our team at Heritage Place works so hard to help our residents every day—we know how much it matters.
At Heritage Place Senior Living, our team is here to help every day. With personalized care plans tailored to every resident’s unique needs, we’re ready to help your loved one maintain their lifestyle. Schedule a visit today to learn how we can support their journey to better fitness.
