 |
print the page |  |
email the page |  |
|
- What is arthritis?
- Symptoms of arthritis
- Causes of arthritis
- Prevention of arthritis
- Risk factors for arthritis
- Complications of arthritis
- When to see a doctor about arthritis
- Diagnosis of arthritis
- Conventional treatment of arthritis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of arthritis
- Living with arthritis
- Caring for someone with arthritis
Caring for someone with arthritis
Partner
People who have a partner that has arthritis can help to support them with the following strategies:
- Basic home help - some people with arthritis may need help with basic things like opening jars, shopping, cooking and cleaning which their partner can do
- Bill paying - depending on the nature of the arthritis, some people need their partner to be the one who pays and takes care of the bills and other home admin duties
- Diet - a diet that includes lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish is the best way to help reduce any inflammation in the body. Foods to be avoided are: red meat, high fat dairy, processed (pre packaged) foods, artificial additives, as these types of foods can contribute to inflammation and may worsen symptoms. To help your partner avoid temptation, only keep fresh, healthy produce in the home
- Doctor appointments - going with your partner to doctor's appointments, asking the right questions, taking notes during the consultation will help your partner
- Exercise - encouraging your partner to do some gentle form of physical activity will help with symptoms reduction and to give a better quality of life. Walking is a good type of exercise, as are: pilates, yoga, dancing, swimming, cycling
- Financial help - a partner can help find out what financial help is available for a person with arthritis and those who care for them
- Helping with equipment - a partner is very useful in helping find and implement the special equipment that are recommended for people with arthritis
- Managing medications - a partner can help to ensure the correct doses of medications are taken at the appropriate times (and even help with opening the medication bottles)
- Personal care - depending on the severity of the arthritis, a partner may have to help with tasks such as getting out of bed, washing, dressing and eating
Some people with arthritis may not have a partner or may have a paid carer who helps with household tasks.
Advertisement
Friends
Friends of a person with arthritis can help support their friend in a number of ways:
- Basic home help - some people with arthritis may need help with shopping and this is something a friend may be able to do for them when they are available
- Doctor appointments - going with your friend to doctor's appointments, asking the right questions, taking notes during the consultation will help your friend and take the burden off their partner once in a while
- Exercise - you can encourage your friend by going for a walk with them, or doing some other form of exercise together which can help with reduction in their symptoms
Parents
Parents of a child who has arthritis needs their parents support through a number of strategies:
- Diet - the diet of a child with arthritis should avoid any foods which cause further inflammation, such as: red meat, high fat dairy (cream, cheeses), highly processed foods, high sugar foods, saturated fat and artificial additives. The diet should include: fruits, vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, fish, white meat, pasta, brown rice to help with reduction in severity of symptoms
- Doctor appointments - going with your child to doctor's appointments, asking the right questions, taking notes during the consultation will help your child and will ensure you understand what you need to do to help them
- Exercise - children with arthritis have an ability to engage in some form of physical activity. There are a number of forms of low impact exercise programs that beneficial for people with arthritis and the most commonly recommended are: swimming, pilates, yoga, walking, cycling, dancing. A doctor or physiotherapist can help to recommend the best exercise program for a child with arthritis
- Financial help - a parent can help find out what financial help is available for a child with arthritis and those who care for them
- Helping with equipment - a parent is very useful in helping find and implement the special equipment that are recommended for people with arthritis
- Managing medications - a parent can help to ensure the correct doses of medications are taken at the appropriate times (and even help with opening the medication bottles)
- Personal care - depending on the severity of the arthritis, a child may have to help with tasks such as getting out of bed, washing, dressing and eating
Advertisement
Advertisement
Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 11: living with arthritis Last reviewed: 3 January 2009 || Last updated: 8 February 2009
Related Articles
NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
