Pflege bei Rheumatoider Arthritis: Tipps für Betroffene & Angehörige.

Imagine that every step hurts. Johannes has learned to live with his rheumatoid arthritis. But everyday life can still be exhausting. Find out how you can make everyday life easier for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Doctor checks X-ray of elderly patient's hands to diagnose joint pain

Every step, every movement becomes a challenge: the inflamed joints are swollen, stiff and cause severe pain. For people affected by rheumatoid arthritis, this is part of everyday life. The disease not only attacks the joints, but affects people's entire lives. The right support can make a huge difference here. In this article, we show you how you can use simple care solutions to make everyday life easier for sufferers and improve their quality of life.

Symptoms and course of rheumatoid arthritis

An elderly man holds his aching shoulder and sits on the sofa for pain relief

Rheumatoid arthritis is like an uninvited guest that settles into the lives of sufferers and dulls the joy of movement. It brings with it a host of symptoms that make themselves felt in everyday life. Joints often begin to ache and swell, with hands, wrists, fingers, toes and feet being the most affected. This inflammation not only makes movement painful, but also leads to an unpleasant stiffness, especially in the morning when the body wants to become active again after sleep.

During the course of the disease, the symptoms can manifest themselves in episodes, like changes in the weather that come suddenly and restrict the mobility of those affected. Sometimes it feels like the body is fighting against itself, with periods of relative calm followed by acute pain and inflammation. These fluctuations are not only physically challenging; they also put a strain on the psyche and everyday life of those affected.

The impact on everyday life is considerable. Simple things such as opening a bottle, holding a pen or climbing stairs become a challenge. These limitations often lead to an increasing need for care. Those affected need support with everyday tasks, be it dressing, cooking or shopping. This is where caregivers or caregivers come into play, offering not only physical help, but also emotional support so as not to lose heart.

Care for rheumatoid arthritis

Physiotherapist works with a patient on the mobility of her shoulder

Caring for people with rheumatic diseases such as chronic polyarthritis is a journey that offers both challenges and opportunities. Imagine accompanying someone on a narrow path that is full of stumbling blocks and unforeseen twists and turns. Especially in difficult phases, the role of the caregiver is invaluable. Your support can help to make everyday life easier for those affected and promote joint mobility.

The role of the caregiver is invaluable, especially in difficult times. You are not only a helping hand, but also a ray of light in an often dark tunnel. Your support can be like a protective umbrella, providing comfort and warmth when the storm of pain and uncertainty is raging. With empathy, patience and a pinch of humor, you can help to make everyday life a little brighter and noticeably improve the quality of life of the person affected. There are various points that are important when caring for these patients: Pain relief, mobility support, and emotional support and quality of life.

Pain relief

Middle-aged man massaging his hand due to arthritis pain in the joints

The care of people with rheumatoid arthritis often revolves around the issue of pain relief. This is where different approaches come into play to manage pain and improve quality of life.

Medication

The right medication is the first step to relieving pain. Anti-inflammatory medication often comes into play here, which specifically targets the pain in the joints. However, painkillers can also help to reduce discomfort and make everyday life easier. Carers or caregiving relatives can often help with taking them.

Therapies

Physiotherapist helps an elderly patient with knee exercises to improve mobility

In addition to drug treatment, physical therapy is of great importance. Physiotherapists use special exercises to strengthen the muscles and promote mobility. Heat and cold therapy are other valuable methods. A warm compress can relax the muscles and relieve pain, while cold packs can reduce swelling and relieve acute pain. The interplay between heat and cold offers an effective way of keeping pain at bay. Depending on the type of therapeutic measure, you as a caregiver can carry it out yourself or accompany the patient to the therapies.

Dealing with painful relapses

Young female doctor talks to elderly patient about knee pain, shows personal health advice.

When painful flare-ups occur, it can be helpful to find peace and quiet in the first phase. A quiet place where those affected can relax can work wonders. Make sure that the patient is sitting or lying in a pain-free position. Applying cold packs can also relieve the pain. It is also important to plan the day so that strenuous activities are well distributed to avoid overloading.

Support for mobility

Physiotherapist supports a patient with stretching exercises to increase flexibility

The support for mobility is like the foundation of a house, providing stability and security - especially for people with rheumatoid arthritis. When joints hurt and mobility is restricted, maintaining the ability to move becomes a crucial prerequisite for a self-determined life.

Promoting mobility

Physiotherapist performs mobility exercises with elderly patient in park

Assistive devices such as walking sticks and rollators act like faithful companions that help those affected to get through everyday life more safely. They provide support and allow them to take the next step with more confidence. At the same time, movement training is like a gentle breeze that stimulates tired muscles and keeps joints supple. Targeted exercises, which are specially tailored to the needs of those affected, strengthen the muscles and promote mobility. Physiotherapy plays a central role here; it acts like a tailor-made suit that is perfectly adapted to individual requirements. As a caregiver, you can support the patient in this process. The physiotherapist can show you how best to support the patient. Even small but subtle improvements can make a big difference and noticeably improve mobility.

Customization of the environment

Older woman walks through the city with her rollator to promote independence

The environment also plays an important role. An adapted living situation is like a safe haven that offers security to those affected. Non-slip mats and easily accessible objects reduce the risk of falls and make daily movements easier. Removing obstacles and creating a clear path promotes independence and enables those affected to move freely and safely. However, the use of handles on drawers and doors, which make opening and closing much easier for those affected, or the creation of a "movement corner" in the living room, where comfortable cushions and small devices for gentle exercises are available, are also effective adaptations. In this harmonious interplay of support and adaptation, everyday life becomes a place where quality of life and freedom of movement go hand in hand.

Emotional support and quality of life

Younger woman pushes her grandfather in a wheelchair through the park for a relaxing outing

The emotional challenges that come with rheumatoid arthritis are like shadows that stealthily creep into the lives of sufferers, dampening their joy. In addition to the physical pain, it is often the emotional support that makes the crucial difference between a bearable and an unbearable everyday life.

The role of emotional support

Elderly couple hiking, smiling and enjoying nature, symbolizing healthy senior activity.

Caregivers and family members are like rays of light that provide guidance and warmth in dark moments. A sympathetic ear, genuine understanding and compassionate words help those affected to share their feelings and ease the burden a little. It is very important that they feel that they are not alone, but are surrounded by people who are willing to support and stand by them.

Dealing with mental stress

Elderly woman leaning on walking stick, looking thoughtful, showing challenges of old age.

Chronic pain and restricted movement can hang in the sky like constant clouds, conjuring up anxiety, frustration and even depressive thoughts. Here, it is important that you as a carer are able to recognize the silent signals of those affected and respond to them sensitively. Regular conversations about their feelings and experiences are like a release that reduces emotional burdens and provides a feeling of safety and security.

Increase quality of life

Granddaughter helps her grandfather in a wheelchair, symbolizing intergenerational care

In order to increase the quality of life, even small measures can make a big difference. Promoting social contacts is like fertilizer for a flourishing plant. Joint visits or activities strengthen the feeling of connectedness and help those affected to feel that they can participate in life despite their illness. Even small rituals in everyday life, such as a relaxing bath or enjoying a beloved hobby, act like rays of sunshine that brighten the mood and bring joy into life. These simple but effective measures help to brighten the emotional landscape and enable sufferers to remain vibrant and fulfilled despite the challenges of living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Do as Johannes does and get support with noracares

Caregiver pushes senior in wheelchair, both enjoy fresh air and nature.

Johannes is actually a bright personality, but ever since he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, he has felt like a flower in the shade waiting for the sun. In her case, it was noracares who brought the sun's rays back into Johannes' life. When he was looking for a carer who not only had specialist knowledge but also an understanding of their situation, he found exactly the carer he needed via the platform. With Anna at his side, Johannes really blossomed again and was able to enjoy his everyday life again after some difficult times. The warm-hearted carer knows the best exercises for pain relief and ensures that Johannes remains active every day without exceeding his limits. They go out into the garden together every day, where Anna helps Johannes to stretch and take short walks. These moments together are like little oases of joy that brighten up daily life.

Johannes particularly appreciates that Anna recognizes her emotional needs and encourages her to talk about her feelings. They often sit together and chat about life's little joys, making the emotional burdens that the disease brings noticeably lighter. noracares has not only helped Johannes find the right caregiver, but also forge a real connection that enriches her life. And every step she takes together with Anna becomes a symbol of hope and quality of life.

Graphic of Nurse Nora with a stethoscope around her neck and the text 'Nora's Conclusion' on a green banner. Closing remark or summary in the health sector.

Caring for people with rheumatoid arthritis is a challenge that requires courage, patience and, above all, the right support. Like a ray of light breaking through the clouds, individualized care can significantly brighten the daily lives of those affected. Johannes shows us that with an empathetic caregiver at his side, life's small steps - be it a relaxing walk in the garden or a deep conversation about the worries of everyday life - can become great moments of happiness. Noracares offers a platform where those affected can find the right care to improve their quality of life, despite the inflammatory disease of their joints.

If you are caring for a loved one or need support yourself, we invite you to discover the valuable resources of noracares. Sign up today and find the right support to suit you and your needs. Let's work together to make every day a little brighter and more fulfilling for those affected.