Serving greater Pittsburgh since 1990
Call Today...We Can Help
412-421-5202
412-421-5202
February 13, 2019
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease with no known cure that affects millions across the globe.
Elderly adults are particularly affected by fibromyalgia and frequently require in-home care in order to stay safe, comfortable and as healthy as possible while still living at home. Family caregivers with relatives of advanced age that have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia can turn to these professional assistants for help with in-home care.
Family caregivers have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to helping their aging loved ones stay safe and healthy.
They should learn all they can about the disease itself, its effects on aging adults and how elder care providers can be an important part of living with fibromyalgia yet maintaining a good quality of life. These are some of the frequently asked questions about fibromyalgia and how it affects an elderly adult’s ability to live independently.
Q: What are the common symptoms of fibromyalgia?
A: The most common symptoms of this disease as it manifests in seniors are painful muscles and joints, extremely tender skin, poor vision, abdominal pain, digestive issues, and fatigue. While symptoms can flare up and fade away at different times of the year, they are generally known to be somewhat debilitating and interfere with an aging adult’s ability to live on their own.
Q: Why does fibromyalgia prevent seniors from regular tasks?
A: As invasive as fibromyalgia is, it can also exacerbate symptoms of other chronic conditions, making it difficult for seniors to manage it all. When there is a flare-up, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can worsen, preventing them from doing much besides rest and avoid further triggers. To avoid excessive pain, many seniors will avoid doing daily tasks that make them feel better but often jeopardize their health or safety. This could include avoiding making meals, sleeping through medication time, or not cleaning the house.
Q: How can in-home care help seniors with fibromyalgia?
A: Elder care providers can help seniors with the lifestyle changes the doctors recommend. They can get more exercise and boost their nutrition when an elder care provider is there for them. Aging adults can also be relieved of stress when they are no longer responsible for things like laundry, housekeeping and meal preparation—the elder care provider can handle it all.
Q: What can elder care providers do to seniors with fibromyalgia?
A: On the days when the fibromyalgia symptoms are so bad that seniors can do little more than get through the day with some help. Elder care providers are then on hand to assist in any way needed. On good days, aging adults can do as much as they feel like, and then leave any tasks left to the elder care provider. From encouraging them to exercise to remind them when to take medications, elder care providers give valuable service to seniors with fibromyalgia who want to live at home.