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Mother has every reason under the sun why she can't exercise to help her arthritis. She's in too much pain. She's too busy. She has no one to exercise with. How can we help her get into a regular routine of exercise?
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It is well-known that exercise reduces pain and improves function for patients with osteoarthritis of the hips and knees. Study after study has shown how something as simple as walking can offer a low-cost yet effective solution to joint pain.
As you have discovered, getting patients to buy in to the idea isn't always so easy. For many, they have never established a habit of exercise even before they developed arthritis. Many are overweight or even obese. A lack of lifetime activity contributed to the obesity and now makes starting an exercise program more difficult.
Sometimes folks need a jumpstart. They seem to do better if they sign up for a series of classes with other people in their same situation. The psychosocial benefits of seeing others accomplish the goal of weight loss and/or increasing activity can help.
Sometimes, they need someone to teach them the importance of exercise and show them what to do. If your community has a senior-citizen center, Council on Aging, or YMCA, there may be programs of this type already established.
If not, then a short series of appointments with a physical therapist could be another way to approach this problem. The therapist can assist in providing education about the disease process, why exercise is so important, and find the right exercise program that both suits and motivates your mother to stick with it.
In the end, it's still her decision. Not everyone does what the evidence shows works for their problem. Adult children of older (aging) adults are often frustrated by their parents' lack of interest in self-care. These can be difficult problems to solve. Patience and gentle persistence may pay off but you should be prepared if they don't gain the results you had in mind.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
 | All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission. |
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