Adjusting a senior’s diet can significantly reduce the pain associated with inflammation, the primary cause of arthritis. Incorporating antioxidant-rich foods is especially effective in providing relief for older adults dealing with this common condition. Here’s how seniors can make simple, impactful dietary changes to improve their well-being.

What Is Arthritis?

A group of diseases that cause inflammation, arthritis is common in people over the age of 50. The condition is characterized by chronic joint inflammation. Pain and a reduced ability to function occur as the inflammation damages the cartilage, bones, and tissue surrounding the joints.

The joints also normally wear down with age, causing arthritis. Or seniors can develop arthritis after experiencing an injury that damages the joint. Some health conditions are also behind the development of arthritis in the elderly. Redness, tenderness, swelling, and pain are typical arthritis symptoms.

Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but most people experience pain or stiffness in the hands and wrists, knees, hips, feet and ankles, shoulders, and lower back. Arthritic flareups are commonplace, while some seniors experience symptoms on a continual basis or after physical activity.

What Is the Role of Diet in Arthritis?

No food cures arthritis: however, eating a balanced diet promotes overall good health. A varied, nutritious diet gives the aging body all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to function at an optimal level, maintain strong bones, boost the immune system, and fight inflammation.

1. Omega-3 Fats Fight Inflammation

Foods that contain an abundance of omega-3 fats help reduce the inflammation associated with certain types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis. Seniors who consume a greater quantity of foods with omega-3 fats experience less joint stiffness, morning stiffness, pain, and need for medication.

Seniors with arthritis are advised to add omega-3 rich fish into their diet for pain relief. Include sardines, salmon, or trout to dinner menus at least twice a week. Light tuna and halibut are healthy choices, too. However, avoid albacore tuna, which contains high levels of mercury.

Nuts, like walnuts, are rich in omega-3 fats. Nuts are a power food that is high in protein, low in saturated fats, and contains minimal cholesterol. Swapping out red meat for protein-rich nuts can help seniors avoid arthritic inflammation, since animal protein is known to trigger an inflammatory response.

Older adults can munch on not only handfuls of walnuts between meals but almonds, pecans, and cashews to feel fuller and consume the monounsaturated fats that fight inflammation. Along with omega-3 fats, nuts contain other anti-inflammatory nutrients, like magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E.

2. Antioxidants Combat Oxidative Stress

Antioxidants protect against arthritic pain by combating oxidative stress, a process that damages cells and tissues and contributes to joint inflammation. Colorful fruits, whether fresh, frozen, or dehydrated, are good sources of antioxidants for the elderly and should be eaten throughout the week.

Caregivers should serve their aging care recipients berries, like blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Cranberries, raspberries, and boysenberries also work against arthritic pain and inflammation. Pomegranates are rich in tannins, which fight against inflammation. Apples, while being a good source of fiber, are high in antioxidants.

Vegetables, both frozen and fresh, are also rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like A, C, and K, that protect cells from damage. Leafy greens to consume include spinach, kale, and Swiss chard. Anti-inflammatory vegetables include Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Green tea, also rich in antioxidants, is shown to help reduce the severity and frequency of rheumatoid arthritis. The beverage reduces inflammation, as it contains a plant compound called polyphenols; polyphenols contain an ingredient that’s 100 times stronger in antioxidant activity than vitamins C and E.

Seniors with arthritic joints should drink two cups of green tea per day, either hot or cold, to experience the health benefits. Tea bags are recommended over the highly processed powdered tea mixes. Along with green tea, older adults can consume white and black teas for a boost in health.

3. Nutritious Foods Maintain a Healthy Weight

Eating a nutritious diet helps the elderly reach and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight adds stress to the joints, which intensifies the arthritic pain and stiffness in the hips, knees, feet, and spine. Obesity also increases a senior’s risk for developing osteoarthritis.

It’s important that seniors be active to lose excess weight or stay at a desirable weight. However, exercising regularly can be problematic when they already feel pain and stiffness in their weight-bearing joints. Consult a doctor or dietician for advice on how to eat right and get fit.

Keeping a food journal can help seniors identify what foods trigger or improve their arthritis symptoms. After a month of entries, the older individual gains a clearer picture of what items in their diet provoke or improve their condition. Discuss the results with a doctor or dietician.

Senior Home Care from Assisting Hands

When your aging loved one lives with arthritis, eating a balanced diet can help combat their stiffness and pain. Not all seniors possess the energy and stamina to prepare nutritious meals. Senior home care from Assisting Hands Home Care is the solution to eating right and managing arthritis.

Our dedicated caregivers perform a wide range of non-medical services to promote the physical, emotional, and social health of the elderly. We grocery shop for fresh fruits and vegetables that fight inflammation. Caregivers prepare balanced meals in accordance with the senior’s dietary restrictions.

If the senior has an appointment with the dietician or doctor, we provide reliable transportation and escort to the medical office. Additional services include timely medication reminders, light housekeeping to keep the home clean, transfer assistance, and help with hygiene tasks, like bathing, toileting, dressing, and grooming.

Assisting Hands Home Care is the preferred choice for compassionate elder care in Boynton Beach, Jupiter, BallenIsles, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, FL and the surrounding areas. Our licensed, bonded, and insured caregivers are ready to improve your aging loved one’s health and raise their quality of life. Call us at (561) 566-5989 to schedule a free in-home consultation today.