Top items to make a senior's life more comfortable
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Chronic pain? You're not alone. As we age, life leaves battle scars in the form of joint pain, inflammation, and muscle fatigue.
About half of all Australians are living with a disability, with 36.8% of people aged over 65 attributed this to chronic or recurring pain or discomfort.
Loss of bone tissue in the aging body means fractures become more likely. Cartilage becomes thinner and ligaments lose flexibility, leading to joint pain. Changes in the nervous system result in loss of muscle tone and a reduced ability to contract, leading to muscle fatigue and weakness.
Now, here's the good part:
There are items out there to help you reduce this pain, get back to the things you love doing and regain some of your independence!
The most common physical ailments in Australian seniors include osteoarthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Problems can start from the ground up; the state of your feet has a huge impact on your overall health.
Comfortable Footwear
Supportive footwear not only protects the health of your feet but also your legs, knees, hips, back and neck. Appropriate and comfortable orthopedic shoes are essential to support the aging body.
Here are the most important features to look for in a shoe:
- Arch support: to avoid overstretching, tearing or inflaming the plantar fascia.
- Cushioning: Mature feet may experience a loss of fatty padding around the bones of the foot. A good shoe must provide ample cushioning to support the aging foot and provide shock absorption.
- Good fit: Not too narrow, not too wide. Improper fitting shoes cause instability in the ankle and increase the risk of slips and falls.
- Durable materials: leather is ideal as it lasts a long time and will flex to fit the shape of the foot. The sole in particular needs to be durable to prevent the risks of slips.
- Slip resistance: A rubber sole generally provides good traction and helps to minimise the risk of slips and falls.
Back supports and braces
An estimated 2.5 million Australians aged over 45 experience back problems. An orthotic back support or brace prevents unnecessary movement of the spine. They will also help realign the spine and strengthen surrounding muscles, decreasing associated pain.
Hand and body warmers
As we age our circulatory system can begin to wear down as a result of strain on the arteries and veins. A decreased rate of physical activity among seniors compared to young people further prohibits optimal blood flow through the body.
Restricted blood flow often means that seniors' bodies become colder, especially the hands and fingers, which makes it even more difficult to perform fine motor tasks such as turning a door key.
Body and hand warming products are a budget friendly way to promote blood flow. Our top recommendations are:
- Wheat bags
- Hand warmer patches available at the chemist
- Beanies, gloves and scarves
- Thick blankets
- Rechargeable devices such as the Zippo 12hr hand warmer
Aging takes its toll on our bodies. Thankfully there are now items on the market to help alleviate some of the physical pain that we experience daily. Investing in your health is important if you want to live comfortably and get back to enjoying the activities that bring you the most joy.
