A sudden crack or a jolt of pain can easily ruin one’s day. If your senior loved one suffers from bone and muscle problems, the joint tension can be chronic pain and inconvenience.

While there are medications and therapy programs to address the concern, other ways exist to avoid or manage the pain. Easing joint tension may require much effort, but this concept can be applied in daily activities.

Avoid sudden movements and shift to slower changes.
Getting in and out of bed or up the chair are sudden movements that may surprise the joints and send back pain signals. Reduce the risk of pain by slowing down your movement to give time for your body to adapt.

Choose a better grip or better handle for holding and hand maneuvering.
Pain in the hands or fingers may prevent someone from holding something they want. Instead of using smaller items or handles, explore ways for better grip. Toothbrushes and combs, for example, have relatively smaller handles. You can choose items with fatter handles for easier grip.

Improve home layout, especially items they frequently use.
Reaching for something requires our body to move. Extreme locations can push a senior’s body to the extreme, triggering joint pain. Their overall safety is also compromised. Improve the home layout by moving items they regularly use within their reach. You can also keep things where they usually stay.

Easing joint tension may require professional help. Use this highlight daily hacks along with the prescribed medication or treatment.

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A severe health event such as a chronic disease diagnosis can turn one’s life upside down at that moment. The news may initially respond with shock or disbelief about the information given. Later, as the individual begins to grasp the situation’s impact, the unfortunate diagnosis settles in.

The family, friends, and care providers should realize that every person has their way of coping, which can vary across the different stages. The most important thing loved ones can do is to let the person feel and know they are within reach whenever they are ready to talk or ask for help.

Whether you are a caregiver or a friend, here are some ways you can help the person cope with the sad news.

• Give them space and time to feel their emotions. Sometimes, people are unwilling to feel their feelings for fear of derailing their routine or adversely impacting their loved ones. Ease their burden and allow them to handle it.
• Offer support and assistance whenever they need follow-up checkups, tests, consultations, or surgery. Be the first to extend the help so that you can reach them whenever they need it. Break the barrier or shame of asking for help and let them know you are glad to be able to help them in any way.
• Provide a sense of relief. The stress of the news can be heavy. Instead of constantly asking them about their diagnosis, be the source of comfort by taking them to leisure activities or organizing a simple activity where worries and anxieties are not invited.

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• 2023: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2022: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2021: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2020: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2019: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2018: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2017: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec