Care For Seniors With Muscular Degeneration

Muscle degeneration is the gradual loss of strength and power as muscles decrease in size and the tissues get wasted away. This could stem from an array of reasons and age related muscle degeneration is a very common cause. As one ages, body aches, joint pain amidst other ailments are even more commonplace and as such causes one to be less active. The ability to go about daily movements might get hampered and over a period of time, muscles that are not used gets wasted away. 

Other than this, diseases like muscular dystrophy causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass, interfering with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle. 

If you are a caregiver, here are some tips on how you can provide optimal care for a loved one with muscular degeneration. If you’re experiencing muscular degeneration, these tips would also come in handy on how you could best tackle the condition. 

Managing expectations

Whilst the onset of muscular degeneration can be gradual, there are also instances where it can come on rather abruptly, especially in the case of a muscular disease where symptoms can escalate quickly. It is important to manage expectations by understanding what are the common symptoms before learning how to provide the best care.

1. Muscle pain and stiffness – Might have issues moving and would need help
2. Increase in frequency of falling – Would need additional supervision
3. Muscle atrophy – Muscles becoming smaller
4. Irregular walking gait – Might need walking aids, wheelchairs depending on severity of condition

Depending on the severity of one’s condition, the care needs might differ drastically. The main goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. 

Making changes to the living environment, accessibility accommodations

With muscular degeneration, one might not be able to move around like before. Caregivers might have to rearrange the placement of some items such as toothbrushes, clothes, utensils to be more accessible if they previously were placed on higher shelves or places that are harder to reach. Accessibility accommodations such as shower chairs would make it safer and easier for loved ones to get about activities of daily living as independently as possible. 

Mobility aids

Mobility aids such as walking sticks, wheelchairs would help one be more stable when getting around. At the start, this might involve a caregiver accompanying a loved one out to ensure safety and that the built environment is accessible enough eg. checking the availability of  ramps and lifts as one might not be able to easily climb the stairs.

Physical therapy

Exercise. Low-impact exercises such as walking, yoga, taichi are exercises that can help preserve strength. As much as possible and as advised by a doctor, try to get out and about to keep the muscles working. When discomfort or pain sets in, it is important to halt the activity immediately. 

Furthermore, exercising is proven to lift spirits which is beneficial for those who are feeling down because of the condition.

Conclusion

Caring for one with muscular degeneration certainly would not be an easy task and at times you might find yourself experiencing stress, having to administer care. As this is a condition that is likely to deteriorate over time, watching a loved one lose their ability to get about activities of daily living would not be easy either. When in need, always remember that it is okay to reach out for help – be it whether you need a listening ear or if you need care tips.