Senior Health

5 Natural Treatments for Seniors’ Aches & Pains

Natural treatments for pain relief have been used for centuries, and many older adults find them quite effective. Here is a list of remedies that can help your senior loved one treat aches and pains naturally. Consult with a doctor before you encourage your loved one to try any of these remedies.

1. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt baths are an extremely common treatment option for pain and inflammation because the body quickly absorbs this type of salt through the skin. They’re an excellent option for chronic pain in the lower back and joints. Add two cups of salt to your loved one’s bath, and he or she should soak for at least 20 minutes to benefit from its pain-relieving qualities.

A home caregiver can help your loved one with daily tasks that are challenging because of aches and pains. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care service. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

2. Menthol Cream

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, headaches are the most common type of pain in adults over age 40. If the pain comes on suddenly and is focused in the temples or the forehead, it might be a stress headache. Applying a small amount of menthol cream to the temples and the back of the neck can stimulate the body’s production of pain-fighting chemicals.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular spice used to give curry its unique color, but it’s also an excellent painkiller. Just moments after ingestion, a compound in turmeric known as curcumin will begin to attack the enzymes causing the inflammation. Turmeric can be taken as a daily supplement to treat chronic pain from arthritis and other joint conditions.

Even if pain makes it difficult to handle the tasks of daily living, seniors can continue to age in place with assistance from a trained caregiver. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of at-home care. Tucson Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

4. Willow Bark

Different cultures have used willow bark to treat pain for hundreds of years. When it’s sipped as a tea or taken in pill form, your loved one can get a full dose of a chemical known as salicin. This chemical is almost identical to the active painkilling ingredient in aspirin.

5. Glucosamine & Chondroitin

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found these two compounds reduced joint pain in more than 53 percent of the test subjects. Glucosamine and chondroitin are excellent options for seniors with pain due to osteoarthritis. Seniors who have diabetes should speak with their doctors about these supplements because they can interfere with blood sugar levels.

Chronic pain can make it challenging for aging adults to live at home independently without assistance. In Tucson, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (520) 276-6555 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.

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