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Arthritis in the Elderly

Quality of Life. Arthritis in the Elderly. Arthritis in the Elderly. Making a difference in 46 million lives in the United States. Our GOAL is to improve the quality of life, decrease pain and suffering, and increase the patient’s ability to live life to it’s fullest.

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Arthritis in the Elderly

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  1. Quality of Life Arthritis in the Elderly

  2. Arthritis in the Elderly • Making a difference in 46 million lives in the United States. • Our GOAL is to improve the quality of life, decrease pain and suffering, and increase the patient’s ability to live life to it’s fullest. • People seek health care for two main reasons: • To regain their health or to maintain their health.

  3. Arthritis in the Elderly • Arthritis in the elderly is no different than that of younger patients. • What is different is how their bodies process medication and how medication affects their internal organs. • The liver and the kidneys both decrease in size in the years beyond age 70. • Metabolizing medications and excreting medications can be affected by the aging process.

  4. Arthritis in the Elderly • Management of Chronic Arthritis Pain • Must consider the co-morbidities and other medications. • Tailored to the individual • Include non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. • Based on an accurate diagnosis.

  5. Arthritis in the Elderly • Baby boomers were born between 1946-1974. • Grew up exercising and will probably continue exercising into their 70’s. • Many are working beyond normal retirement age. • 2/3 of the working population will have arthritis by 2030. • Musculoskeletal pain is common and can be disabling.

  6. Arthritis in the Elderly • “Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so.” Tryon Edwards

  7. Arthritis in the Elderly • 106 Types of Arthritis! • 5 most common in the elderly • 1. Osteoarthritis-most common and often called the wear and tear type. 50% have over age 50. Caused by the breakdown of cartilage that the is covering over the bones. Pain is caused by bone rubbing on bone or the mechanic of the joints are now off.

  8. Arthritis in the Elderly • 2. Rheumatoid Arthritis-immune mediated disease that attacks and erodes or destroys cartilage. Weakens tendons leading to deformity and dysfunction of the joint. • 1.3 million Americans are affected. • Causes systemic symptoms of pain, fatigue, fever, anemia, etc.

  9. Arthritis in the Elderly • Seronegative Inflammatory arthritis. • Psoriatic, Anklysosing Spondylitis, Reactive Arthritis, Enteropathic arthritis. • Primarily cause inflammation and damage where the tendons and ligaments attach. Can be very destructive and debilitating.

  10. Arthritis in the Elderly • Soft Tissue Arthritis • Some forms are Bursitis and Tendonitis. • Often from injuries or overuse. • Usually do not leave permanent damage. • Painful and correct diagnosis is essential to treatment.

  11. Arthritis in the Elderly • Connective Tissue Diseases • Systemic Lupus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Scleroderma, Polymyositis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease • These are auto-immune diseases that cause inflammation and arthritis by the body attacking itself by producing anti-bodies against the body itself.

  12. Arthritis in the Elderly • Mechanism of Pain in Arthritis. • Arthritis is a broad, general term for inflammation in or around the joint. • Inflammation is a process by which your body defense system of WBC’s and chemicals protect the body from infection and foreign substances. These can be bacteria, viruses, or auto-immune antibodies. Normally the body uses the immune system to protect you. • Inflammation can lead to structural damage, functional damage, and pain.

  13. Arthritis and the Elderly • “Every Patient Carries His or Her Doctor Inside” • Albert Schweitzer

  14. Arthritis in the Elderly • Perception about Pain and Pain Control • Baby Boomers and those greater in age often do not want to take medication. • Medication is looked on as a “Drug”. • The feeling that they are going to have pain as they get older. “Just expect this” • Taking medication makes them feel like they are not strong or a “weakling”.

  15. Arthritis in the Elderly • Multiple Methods to treat the pain of arthritis. • Analgesics • NSAIDS • Stronger analgesics ( i.e. opioids) • Adjuvant drugs for the particular type of inflammatory arthritis. • Caution: increased sensitivity to the drugs, drug-drug interactions, co-morbidities.

  16. Arthritis in the Elderly • Non-pharmacological treatments. • CAM- • Physical therapy, Exercise, Joint Mechanics. • Supports for the various parts of the body. • Surgical intervention. • Injection of the joints or tissues. • Laughter, support, Laughter.

  17. Arthritis in the Elderly • “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. • World Health Organization

  18. Arthritis in the Elderly • The Mind – Body Connection • Hope is the power of the mind that we can all harness. • Expectation, belief, and faith are the key elements of hope. • Block pain in the body by the release of “Endorphins” • The brain chemical transmitters play a significant role in our well being.

  19. Arthritis in the Elderly • Four chemical transmitters in the brain largely influence the emotions, attitude, and mental function of our patients. • They are: Serotonin, Acetylcholine, GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid), and Dopamine. • Neurotransmitters is like a baseball, and receptors in the body act as a catcher’s mitt. The brain can manufacture the correct amount given the raw materials. This keeps everything in balance.

  20. Arthritis in the Elderly • Ingredients for healthy body are sleep, food, exercise, and a purpose to be here. • Sleep should be 8 hours to be optimum. • Food should be balanced with nutritional value. • Exercise should be 30 minutes total (does not have to be at one time) 3-4 times a week. • Purpose: Everyone needs.

  21. Arthritis in the Elderly • Questions not answered (Many). • Should narcotics be used in the elderly? • What to do with the elderly in pain in the nursing care facilities. • Are alternative medicines safe and do they do anything? • As a health care provider what can you do to have a positive impact on this problem?

  22. Arthritis in the Elderly • ATTITUDE • Life if short. There once was a woman who awoke one morning and looked in the mirror. She had only 3 hairs left. “Well, I’ll braid my hair today” and she did and had a wonderful day. • The next day she woke up and looked in the mirror and had only 2 hairs left on her head. Hmm. I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today and she did. She had a grand day.

  23. ATTITUDE • The 3rd day she had only one hair left. “Today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail and she did and had a great day. • On the 4th day she looked in the mirror and there was no hair. “Yaa! I don’t have to fix my hair today. • It’s all in the ATTITUDE.

  24. ATTITUDE • The 3rd day she had only one hair left. “Today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail and she did and had a great day. • On the 4th day she looked in the mirror and there was no hair. “Yaa! I don’t have to fix my hair today. • It’s all in the ATTITUDE.

  25. Live Simply • Love generously • Care deeply • Speak kindly • Pray continuously

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