Exploring Long-Term Pain Medication in Seniors
Home care services can help aging seniors use painkillers safely.
Many seniors look to painkillers as a solution to manage chronic pain. Although these medications can provide relief, their costs go beyond what is paid at the drugstore. There are several hazards associated with seniors using painkillers for an extended period of time, from cognitive decline to physical health issues.
With home care services on their side, however, they can learn about the possible dangers of consistent pain medication use.
Understanding the Rise of Chronic Pain in Seniors
Millions of people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, and just as many manage their pain with medications. But what starts out as a short-term fix can easily turn into a chronic reliance on painkillers.
As mentioned, home care professionals can help seniors understand the possible dangers of consistent use and encourage them to talk with their medical team about alternative methods for managing pain. For instance, nutritional supplements like fish oil might help with inflammation and joint pain. Learning mindfulness techniques and engaging in exercises like swimming or yoga might also help relieve the pain.
Understanding the Unknown Dangers of Pain Medicine
Home care services can work with seniors to understand the dangers of pain medication, including the following:
Physical Dependency and Tolerance: Seniors may grow tolerant to painkillers over time, needing larger dosages to get the same amount of relief. Physical reliance may result from this, making it difficult to cut back on or quit taking medicine without feeling withdrawal symptoms.
Elevated Risk of Falls and Fractures: A number of painkillers, particularly opioids, can make seniors drowsy, dizzy, and lose their balance, which puts them at higher risk of falling and breaking bones.
Gastrointestinal Tract Complications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), which are frequently prescribed for pain relief, have the potential to aggravate the stomach lining and raise the risk of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in older persons who may already be experiencing digestive problems.
Cardiovascular Effects: In older adults with a history of cardiovascular disease, high-dose NSAIDs and other painkillers have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Cognitive Decline: Chronic opioid usage has been associated with memory loss and a higher chance of dementia.
The Value of Home Care
Given the potential hazards involved, it’s critical to closely monitor seniors’ usage of pain medications. While working with seniors to understand the implications of long-term pain medication use, home care workers can also provide vital monitoring to ensure seniors get the care they need when dealing with pain. They can help by creating tailored care plans, especially for seniors with multiple medical issues who may be taking many medications at a time.
Home care providers can also encourage seniors to talk with their medical team to assess the safety and effectiveness of prescription regimens. Healthcare professionals should routinely assess the level of pain seniors are experiencing, their functional status, and any side effects from prescription medications and make any necessary adjustments. As mentioned above, they can offer alternative suggestions to help with the pain.
Although seniors with chronic pain may find much-needed relief from painkillers, their long-term use necessitates cautious thought and supervision. Home care services can make seniors aware of the dangers, monitor their use to ensure no issues arise, and introduce ways to safely manage the pain with the medical team’s approval.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Reston, VA, please contact the caring staff at Butters Home Health Care today. (703) 371-2113
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