For those living with arthritis or joint pain, daily tasks turn into stressful challenges. Getting out of bed. Sitting up from a chair. Walking to the bathroom. Sleeping through the night. Fortunately, there are many ways to make life a bit more comfortable and manageable with some support, some routine changes and some helpful gadgets.
In this guide, we will be reviewing several practical suggestions to assist an individual suffering from arthritis or joint pain in the home, focusing primarily on in home hospital beds.
1.) Recognizing Pain Points
Arthritis does not always hurt the same every day. There are days when I am fine. Days when I feel puffy. Days when I feel exhausted. Before making any adjustments, try to identify:
Do you experience more pain during the day?
Which joints hurt the most? Knee(s), Hip(s), Hand(s), Shoulder(s) and/or Back
Are there certain actions that tend to cause your flares (such as flexion, rotation, rising, lifting)?
Path modeling using partial least squares with subsequent test of results: Rest: Staying away from work; Support: Help from others in preparing meals; Light Movement: Light physical activity; Heat: Heating pads, hot compresses, hot packs, hot water bags, small heaters and/or hot air blowers.
This will enable you to select how much daily support is necessary as well as the proper configuration for your home.
2.) Better Bed Support for Easier Mornings
Arthritis is one of the commonest early morning aggravators. In the morning it is often difficult to sit up, swing your legs over the side of the bed and rise when your joints are stiff from sleeping.
This type of bed will help promote normal movement while reducing stress on painful joints. This could be a major difference in being at home versus elsewhere.
hospital bed rental near me Benefits:
Lifts the head so they can sit without straining their neck/back/shoulder/wrist muscles
Reduces swelling around knee(s)/ankle(s) by allowing them to keep their leg(s) up
Makes it easier to get up due to adjustable height
Will keep joints supported during sleep and relaxing activities due to proper placement
If the person will need to take many naps throughout the day, then between tasks the monthly hospital bed rental will serve as a safe and comfortable area for relaxation.
3.) Reduce Transfer Strains on Knees, Hips & Back
Transfers are when joint pain is usually at its worst. For example:
Getting in/out of bed
Getting up from seated
Going from bed to a wheelchair or walker
Changing positions at night
A hospital bed can help because it can be adjusted to the correct height. Additionally, it will also allow them to sit up first and then stand behind. This reduces the strain on hip and knee joints. They will also be less likely to fall.
Quick Tip: If transfers are problematic, consider adding grab bars, a sturdy walker or transfer pole so it can be easily moved and transferred to a new location safely.
4) Promote Healthy Sleep — Not Just Function During The Day
Poor sleep increases arthritic pain. Arthritic pain also prevents sleep. Thus, it creates a vicious circle.
A full electric hospital bed rental will give individuals more flexibility in order to support sleep. Most people report some degree of comfort and relief with these positional adjustments:
Elevation of the head slightly eases strain on the spine
Leg elevation reduces pressure and swelling
Mattress support to prevent pressure points from forming
A stiff or sore body can indicate that your bed setup is partially responsible for the way you feel upon waking. Proper alignment can help alleviate the morning pain.
5) Arrange Your Single Room in An Arthritis Friendly Style
There are several minor modifications to a single room bedroom that will significantly aid you in avoiding the burden of your day.
Some ideas for setting up your room:
Keep frequently used items accessible
Nightstands with easy-to-reach drawers
Direct route to the toilet
Soft lighting for safety at night
Nonslip mats by the bed
These modifications will help create a single room bedroom where you avoid awkward movements and unnecessary risks.
6) Inspire Activity Without Overexertion Yourself
Moving gently can help reduce stiffness. However, pushing too far will result in a flareup. Therefore, find a balance between moving gently and doing enough to maintain some degree of function:
Short walks
Stretching lightly
Divide larger projects into smaller tasks
Take regular rest periods between activities
If they are tired quickly, a hospital bed rental quote serves as a stable resting surface at a body angle that removes pressure from their joints.
7) Assist Individuals With Their Daily Routine Activities in A Dignified Fashion
Arthritis can impact an individual’s ability to live independently. Even though you deserve it as much as anyone else, sometimes emotional reactions like anger or shame come about when you ask for help. While we all need support, we also need our dignity.
Here are examples of dignified ways to assist:
Ask them if there are specific types of assistance they would prefer
Give them alternatives rather than issuing orders
Provide tools for them to perform tasks themselves whenever possible
Avoid rushing them
Celebrate their success, regardless of how perfect they were
Since high levels of stress correlate with higher levels of pain — whether physically or mentally — providing home support minimizes stress.
8) Choose The Best Hospital Bed for Dealing With Joint Pain
Everyone is different. However, people with arthritis benefit from beds that feature:
Smooth operation via electric controls
An easytooperate hand control unit
Compatibility with the right mattress
Height adjustment for both safer standing and sitting
Side rails (optional) for peaceofmind
When determining which model is the best one, measure them based on their current level of discomfort/pain and level of mobility.
Go To Pricing To Check Out Hospital Beds Suitable To Fit Your Space and Budget.
We Can Help You Find The Best AtHome Bed Setup for Arthritis Or Joint Pain. Contact Us Today!
Closing Thoughts
Providing relief to family members who suffer with arthritis is more than just helping them get around without causing damage. Helping them recover from each day and feeling safe in life is part of supporting them.
Choosing the right hospital bed for home use will help alleviate pressure on their joints, improve their sleep quality, and help make transfers easier. These three factors contribute to less frequent flareups and improved feelings overall.
To begin, choose a hospital bed that meets your needs. Go To Pricing and Contact Us.