If your loved one has been struggling for years with shoulder pain and reduced mobility, her doctor might finally recommend shoulder surgery to give her back some of the mobility she needs as well as reduce the pain she feels when she does use her shoulder. It can seem a bit overwhelming to think about how your elderly loved one will manage recovery after surgery, especially if she lives on her own or far from family members, but there are steps you can take to help her recovery time before she even gets back home, including hiring personal care providers to assist during recovery.
Common Shoulder Issues in the Elderly
Shoulder pain is common in the elderly. It’s estimated that about 25% of older women have shoulder pain, and just under 20% of men live with shoulder pain. For the elderly, the most common causes are osteoporosis, rotator cuff injuries, and bursitis. Shoulder pain can take over a person’s quality of life and reduce their ability to enjoy many of their favorite activities.
Five Indicators That Your Loved One Needs Shoulder Surgery
Your loved one’s physician will refer her to an orthopedist and together they will determine what her next steps will be. Most likely, if there are other ways to treat your loved one’s condition, they will start there but once some of these conditions are consistently bothering your loved one, they may recommend surgery.
- Other treatments have stopped working. When cortisone shots, physical therapy, and pain management medications stop providing enough relief for your loved one, surgery might be the next option for her.
- Your loved one has chronic pain. No one should have to live with chronic pain. Chronic pain can lead to other health conditions, including an inability to sleep, a weakened immune system, and mental health issues. When shoulder surgery can help your loved one get her life back, it should be considered.
- Your loved one has a limited range of motion. If your loved one cannot move her shoulder into certain positions, it could cause her to lose the ability to perform certain activities that contribute to her ability to remain independent like driving or shopping. It can also reduce her ability to do the things she loves like gardening or swimming.
- Your loved one can no longer carry certain items. You never think about how much you carry every week until you can no longer carry objects. From groceries to garbage and even the family pet, not being able to carry items greatly reduces a person’s ability to live on their own.
- Your loved one has a degenerative disease like osteoporosis. With a degenerative disease, it may be impossible for the shoulder to heal without surgery.
Personal Care Can Improve Shoulder Surgery Recovery Time
If your loved one’s surgeon has determined that surgery is the best option, finding a provider to help with personal care after the surgery is a big part of providing the best environment possible for your loved one to recover quickly and safely. Shoulder surgery will limit her ability to do many things around the home such as certain chores, personal hygiene tasks, and preparing meals. A personal care provider can step in and assist your loved one with her care needs so that she has the support she needs around the home and can focus on her health and recovery.
Source: https://posm.org/shoulder-pain-age-injury
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care Services in Massapequa NY, please contact the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call (631) 424-7827
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Long Island and in NYC including Dix Hills, Floral Park, Great Neck, Huntington, Manhasset, Massapequa, Northport, Plainview, Rockville Center, Stonybrook, Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Queens County.
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