Arthritis care

Around 1 million in the Ireland are affected by arthritis. Living with this condition can be a debilitating and painful experience.

For some people it means everyday tasks can become very difficult to manage and assisted living may be considered.

Bluebird Care can provide the practical care and support that you need to stay in control of your life and to keep doing the things that you enjoy every day, without moving out of your home.

We can provide support with:

• A morning call to get you up and ready for your day
• Keeping on top of housework such as cleaning and laundry
• Helping you get to the shops or doing your shopping for you if you prefer
• Making sure you have the medicines you need to reduce pain or swelling and helping you take them regularly
• Taking part in activities you enjoy
• Gentle exercise to keep you mobile
• Helping to prepare meals or assistance with feeding

This can all be done in the comfort of your own home, so you don’t need to move to an assisted living facility.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is caused by inflammation of one or more joints. It is often a lifelong condition and can affect people of any age, even children. Although arthritis is increasingly common as we get older, autoimmune diseases, broken bones, or a bacterial or viral infection can also cause arthritic issues. There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common three are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that often develops in people over 50 years of age. It gradually erodes the cartilage lining that would otherwise prevent the bones in a joint from rubbing together. This leads to stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint. As this condition mainly affects older people, it can be common for chronic pain sufferers to live in supportive housing such as assisted living facilities. However, Bluebird Care can provide an alternative to this upheaval.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is also a chronic disease, but instead of cartilage breaking down, the lining of the joints becomes inflamed, leading to constant pain, loss of function and long-term damage to the joint which can cause disability. People with rheumatoid arthritis may also develop problems with other tissues and organs in their body. Again, it can be commonplace for sufferers to consider moving to an assisted living facility. Bluebird Care offers a solution whereby people with Rheumatoid arthritis can be cared for in the familiar surroundings of their own home.

Juvenile arthritis

Juvenile arthritis refers to any type of arthritis-related condition that develops in children or teenagers under the age of 18. The most common type of juvenile arthritis is juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is characterised by swelling of the joints for six weeks or more.

Support to stay well

There is currently no cure for arthritis, but treatment and lifestyle changes can reduce pain, improve function and prevent further damage to the joint.

Your doctor may prescribe medicines to ease the pain and reduce inflammation. In some cases surgery may be recommended to replace a knee or hip joint. Lifestyle changes such as gentle exercise can relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and also improve muscles and bone strength. Doctors may suggest low-impact aerobic activity, strength training and a range of motion exercises. Heat, ice, water and massage therapies may also help.

Bluebird Care can provide the services you need to manage your condition in your own home, avoiding the disruption of relocating to an assisted living facility. Together we create a care plan that focuses on the things that are important to you. Our high quality care and support is tailored to your unique needs, so you can enjoy the best possible quality of life.

For more information visit Arthritis Ireland.

*Not all Bluebird Care offices provide this service. Please check with your local office if this service is available.