Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Pain Management in the Home

Whether an elderly loved one is simply frail or whether they are suffering from a chronic disease, effectively managing their pain and care at home, as well as keeping them as comfortable as possible, will be a top priority. The fact of the matter is that untreated pain can have a number of negative consequences aside from the discomfort of the pain itself. Untreated pain can lead to:

• Depression and anxiety
• A reduced ability and/or lack of motivation to socialise
• Poor sleep quality
• Lack of appetite
• Increased risk of falls
• Overall reduced quality of life

This is true for care in home as well as at old age home facilities.

Below are a few tips for helping your loved one to cope with any pain that they are experiencing and living out their golden years in the way they deserve.

Get Medical Advice

First and foremost, you should consult with a medical practitioner if your loved one is struggling with pain. He or she will be able to advise the best course of action and prescribe the appropriate medication if necessary.

Follow Instructions

A medical professional will give clear instructions in terms of how to treat your loved one’s pain and what dosage to give. Do your best to stick to this recommended dosage. If it does not seem to be working as well as you both had hoped, contact the medical professional again before changing the dosage yourself or trying out a different medication. Also, be sure to report any adverse side effects or concerns if and when they appear.

Communicate

So many of us become accustomed to feeling pain and will often start to accept it as a part of daily life. With this in mind, it’s so important to communicate with your loved one and ask them directly if they have felt an improvement in their pain and to what extent.

It may take some trial and error to find the right pain management tools and techniques to properly get rid of the discomfort. Try to be patient and reassure as often as you can.

Pamper Them!

There’s nothing quite like a warm cup of tea and a lively chat to lift the spirits and encourage the person in your care to feel better! Do your best to treat them to something enjoyable whenever possible, whether it is a tasty hot meal, a loving hug or a bunch of colourful flowers. After all, it’s the little things that really make all the difference when it comes to managing pain.

Often, it can also help to have an extra pair of hands. Be sure to get in touch with us for information about the cost of in home care and how it all works.  

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