What is Arthritis?
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What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the swelling and sensitivity of one or more of your joints. The primary symptoms of this disease are inflexibility and joint pain, which usually gets worse as you grow older. The most general kinds of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the cause of cartilage breaking down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which your immune system assaults the joints, starting with the joints lining.

Uric acid crystals, which develop when there is excessive uric acid in your blood, can be the cause of gout. Underlying diseases or infections, like psoriasis or lupus, can be the cause of other kinds of arthritis.

Treatments differ subject to the kind of arthritis. The primary objectives of arthritis treatments are to decrease symptoms and improve standard of living.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms and signs of arthritis involve the joints. Subject to the kind, symptoms and signs might include:

  • Pain
  • inflexibility
  • Redness
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Swelling

Causes

The two primary kinds of arthritis — osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — cause damage to joints in various ways.

Osteoarthritis

The most general kind of arthritis, osteoarthritis, entails wear-and-tear damage to a joint’s cartilage. Cartilage pads the ends of your bones and allows almost non-friction joint motion; nevertheless, too much damage could result in bone grinding on bone, causing pain and limited movement. This wear and tear can happen over many years, or it can be hurried by a joint infection or injury.

Osteoarthritis can also cause changes in the bones and degeneration of the ligaments that attach muscle to bone and keep the joint together. When cartilage in a joint is seriously damaged, the lining of the joint might become swollen and inflamed.

Rheumatoid arthritis

With rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system assaults the membrane of the joint capsule, a strong membrane that encompasses all the joint parts. The synovial membrane comes to be swollen and inflamed. The disease progression can ultimately devastate cartilage and bone inside the joint.

Risk factors

Risk factors for arthritis include:

Family history. Some kinds of arthritis run in families, so you might be more prone in developing arthritis when your parents or brothers/ sisters have the condition.

Age. The chance of many kinds of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increase as you get older.

Your gender. Women are more prone than men in developing rheumatoid arthritis, whereas most of the individuals that have gout, another kind of arthritis, are men.

Prior joint injury. Those that have injured a joint, maybe while participating in a sport, are more prone to ultimately develop arthritis in the injured joint.

Obesity. Carrying extra pounds places stress on your joints, specifically your knees, hips and spine. Those with obesity have a higher chance to develop arthritis.

Complications

Severe arthritis, specifically if it impacts your hands or arms, can make it demanding for you to carry out day-to-day tasks. Arthritis of weight-carrying joints could keep you from walking effortlessly or sitting upright. In many cases, joints may slowly lose their shape and alignment.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

If you are doing research about retirement communities in Peoria, Arizona, Vista Winds Retirement Community should definitely be on your list. Vista Winds offers retirement living at its finest. We have a rich calendar of activities, meals prepared by a Chef and caregivers on staff 24 hours a day for your health and safety. We offer award winning independent livingassisted living and memory care services. Come tour our community to see how we are a step above the rest and how easy it is to Make Yourself at Home! Vista Winds is surrounded by amazing views and our resort style property will be sure to impress!

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Crafts For Seniors with Arthritis
Written by webtechs

Crafts For Seniors with Arthritis

Maintaining health and wellness can become difficult as we get older, especially for those who are struggling with arthritis. The ailment can be the cause of joint pain, swelling, and stiffness making it challenging to perform day-to-day tasks. Nevertheless, taking part in art projects and crafting ideas for the elderly has benefited them, including better physical and emotional health. At Vista Winds Retirement Community, we understand the vital role of creative expression in improving the standard of living for our residents.

Why Are Art Projects for the Elderly Important?

Craft ideas for the elderly with arthritis are important as they promote the following:

  • Cognitive capabilities
  • Social involvement
  • Coordination
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Improved hand-eye coordination

These activities can also offer a sense of achievement as seniors finish their projects. When finished in groups, art projects for the elderly are a perfect way to promote meaningful relationships and connections with other seniors.

Seniors that struggle with arthritis have decreased mobility, and taking part in simple art projects that can be accomplished at home easily can help relieve pain and discomfort. Art therapy has been utilized as a form of rehabilitation and treatment for those with physical and emotional difficulties as the result of different disabilities and ailments.

5 Crafts for Seniors with Arthritis

Crafts are a great way for seniors to spend some time getting creative. The following are only some of the crafts seniors with arthritis can do. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Flowerpot Painting

Flowerpot painting is a perfect craft idea for those with arthritis. Seniors can paint the pot lively colors and embellish them with stickers, glitter, and decorations. The finished pot can be used as a planter for smaller plants or as a decorative art piece.

2. Beaded Jewelry

Beaded jewelry making is an ideal craft idea for the elderly with arthritis. Seniors can create bracelets or necklaces by threading beads on strings. This activity enhances fine hand eye coordination and imagination.

3. Picture Collages

Seniors can create picture collages with old photos of family and friends. The project entails the cutting of pictures, gluing them on paper, and embellishing the collage with glitter and stickers. This activity helps to vitalize memory, and seniors can recall past moments stuck in time.

4. Yarn Painting

Seniors can utilize heavy yarn to produce artwork. They can glue the yarn in patterns or create designs on canvases. This activity for seniors is perfect for those with arthritis, as it is easily done and requires minimal dexterity.

5. Card Making

Card making is a great way for seniors to express their creativity and create personalized cards for friends and family. In this art project for seniors, various materials can be used—such as colored paper, stickers, ribbons, and buttons for decorating the card. This activity also improves hand-eye coordination.

How Senior Living Services and Communities Can Help

Senior living services and communities like Vista Winds Retirement Community have established activity workshops that encourage physical, mental, and societal development for seniors. These activities can comprise of art classes, painting and crafting programs, music and dance classes, recreation, and group excursions. These programs strive to keep seniors involved in mentally stimulating activities and at the same time build social connections. Senior living staff are also trained to work with seniors struggling with arthritis, providing assistance with movement and equipment like ergonomic chairs or assistive devices to help with craft making.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

If you are doing research about retirement communities in Peoria, Arizona, Vista Winds Retirement Home should definitely be on your list. Vista Winds offers retirement living at its finest. We have a rich calendar of activities, meals prepared by a Chef and caregivers on staff 24 hours a day for your health and safety. We offer award winning independent livingassisted living and memory care services. Come tour our community to see how we are a step above the rest and how easy it is to Make Yourself at Home! Vista Winds is surrounded by amazing views and our resort style property will be sure to impress!

More Articles About Retirement