Quality of Life. Arthritis in the Elderly Making a difference in 46 million lives in the United States. Our GOAL is to improve the quality of life,

Quality of Life

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.


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.


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.


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.


“Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so.”

Tryon Edwards


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

Arthritis and the Elderly

“Every Patient Carries His or Her Doctor Inside”

Albert Schweitzer


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”.


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.


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.


“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

World Health Organization


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.


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.


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.


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?


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.

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.

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.

Live Simply Love generously Care deeply Speak kindly Pray continuously

Quality of Life. Arthritis in the Elderly Making a difference in 46 million lives in the United States. Our GOAL is to improve the quality of life,

Documents

elderly arthritis

reactive arthritis

enteropathic arthritis

types of arthritis

elderly soft tissue

elderly age

elderly mechanism of

quality of life slide