How occupational therapy can help people with arthritis
Occupational therapy may sound
like something exclusive to people
who are injured on the job.
Though occupational therapy helps
people in the workplace every day, it
also helps men and women, including
those with arthritis, perform everyday
activities that may or may not be
work-related.
Arthritis can take both a physical
and fi nancial toll. The Arthritis Foundation
notes that it’s diffi cult to determine
just how many people currently
suffer from arthritis, as treatment often
isn’t sought until symptoms become
severe. Conservative estimates
from the Foundation suggest 54 million
adults in the United States currently
have arthritis, though the organization
reports that a recent study
suggested as many as 91 million might
be dealing with this painful infl ammation
and stiffness of the joints. As if the
pain from arthritis weren’t enough,
the condition also can cause fi nancial
problems for those who cannot work or
only work part-time, with annual medical
costs and earnings loss estimates
in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Occupation therapy can help people
with arthritis overcome their conditions.
The American Occupational
Therapy Association, Inc., notes that
most joints have the potential to develop
arthritis, which can affect mobility,
cause pain, and even lead to
deformity. However, the AOTA also
states that OT practitioners aim to
help people with arthritis maximize
Caribbean L 44 ife, May 17–23, 2019
their ability to participate in activities
like work or recreation while striving
to help patients enhance their quality
of life.
Because there are more than 100
different types of arthritis, men and
women diagnosed with the condition
can benefi t greatly from individualized
care. One-size-fi ts-all solutions
may not work for arthritis sufferers,
who can benefi t from one-on-one interactions
with OT practitioners. For example,
the AOTA notes that OT practitioners
may recommend personalized
adaptive equipment to patients with
arthritis who are experiencing pressure
and discomfort in their hands
when holding or working with objects.
Before making such recommendations,
OT practitioners may analyze
patients’ daily activities to ensure they
get equipment that will provide the
support and relief their specifi c condition
calls for.
Arthritis is a global concern that
the Arthritis Foundation estimates
will only become more prevalent in the
decades to come. Occupational therapy
can be just what arthritis sufferers
need to overcome their conditions
and improve their quality of life.
In an ideal world, people young and
old exercise each day. But as men
and women age, fi nding time to
work out is not so easy.
Commitments to work and family
often take precedence over daily exercise.
As a result, many people 50 and
over might not have exercised regularly
or at all in many years. But as
children grow up or even move out,
people facing down their golden years
are often compelled to get back in the
gym. That’s a wise decision that can
increase a person’s chances of being
healthy and happy in retirement. But
before beginning a new exercise regimen,
men and women over 50 should
take heed of the following safety tips to
ensure their efforts are not derailed by
accident or injury.
Speak with your physician. The
National Institute on Aging notes that
even people with chronic conditions
such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis
can be physically active. However,
anyone with such a condition and
even those who don’t fall into those
categories should consult with their
physicians and receive a full physical
before exercising. Such a consultation
and checkup can shed light on any unknown
issues, and physicians can offer
advice on how to safely manage any
problems that may arise.
Begin with low-intensity exercises.
Even if you feel great and have
maintained a healthy weight, don’t
push yourself too hard at the start.
Your body needs time to adjust to physical
activity, so choose low-intensity exercises
like walking and light strength
training so your muscles, tendons and
ligaments can adjust. Initially, exercise
every other day so your body has
ample time to recover between workouts.
Choose the right places to exercise
outdoors. Exercising outside
provides the best of both worlds for
many people, providing a chance to get
healthy all while enjoying the great
outdoors. When exercising outdoors,
choose areas that are not remote and
where others can see you and offer
help if you suffer an injury or have an
accident. Boardwalks, public parks
and outdoor gyms are safer places to
work out than wooded areas or other
places well off the beaten path.
Stay hydrated. The NIA notes that
many people lose their sense of thirst
as they age. But just because you aren’t
thirsty does not mean you don’t need
water, especially while exercising. Water
regulates body temperature and lubricates
the joints, thereby decreasing
your risk of injury during exercise.
Exercising after 50 can help people
live healthy well into retirement. But
caution must be exercised when aging
men and women return to exercise after
a long break.
Wellness
Exercise and aging
Before beginning a new exercise regimen, men and women over 50 should take heed of the
following safety tips to ensure their efforts are not derailed by accident or injury.
Reduce your risk of diabetes
According to the American Diabetes
Association, as men and
women age, their risk for type 2
diabetes increases.
Diabetes develops when the
amount of sugar in a person’s blood
is too high. When a person has type 2
diabetes, his or her body does not respond
to insulin, a hormone that regulates
the amount of glucose, a type of
sugar, in the blood. Aging makes the
body less accepting of sugars, thereby
making aging men and women more
susceptible to type 2 diabetes.
But just because aging is an uncontrollable
risk factor for type 2 diabetes
does not mean men and women
over 50 cannot take steps to reduce
their risk. The Association advises
that routine exercise and a healthy
diet that is low in saturated and trans
fat and moderate in salt and sugar
can help seniors stay healthy and
lower their risk for type 2 diabetes.
A healthy meal plan should include
lean protein, non-starchy vegetables,
whole grains, healthy fats,
Aging makes the body less accepting of
sugars, thereby making aging men and
women more susceptible to type 2 diabetes.
and fruit. In addition, those young
and old who want to decrease their
risk for type 2 diabetes should avoid
sugar-sweetened beverages such as
soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, and
fruit punch.
Occupational therapy helps men and women,
including those with arthritis, perform
everyday activities that may or may not be
work-related.