Living with arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions in the UK. According to statistics, it is believed that around 10 million people in the UK are living with some form of arthritis. That’s around 1 in 6 people.
Arthritis is not a single disease, it is an ‘umbrella term’ used to describe over 100 different conditions that affect the body’s joints (where the bones meet). Arthritis exists on a spectrum and can range from discomfort and swelling that comes and goes and usually eases with painkillers to constant severe and debilitating pain that has little effective pain relief.
No matter what the severity, living with arthritis can be debilitating, affecting a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks and move around. Some people with arthritis may have other health conditions, meaning the impact on their health, confidence and ability to remain independent can be severely affected, sometimes making simple tasks a struggle. This is particularly true for osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis amongst the elderly.
At Trinity Homecare, we have been providing award-winning arthritis care and support for over 25 years. Our arthritis home care service offers a flexible approach to supporting people with arthritis to live happily and independently in the comfort of their own homes.
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What does arthritis care support involve?
If you or a loved one is living with arthritis, then you know how painful it can be and how it affects your range of movements and ability to do certain tasks. At Trinity Homecare, we have been supporting people to live well with arthritis for over 25 years through our flexible home care services.
Because arthritis can affect people in so many different ways we offer a range of different support options to help you live comfortably and confidently at home. Our compassionate carers are trained and experienced in arthritis care and we aim to support your independence by assisting you, where appropriate, rather than taking charge.
The arthritis care provided by Trinity Homecare can include anything you need regular support with. Our friendly and proactive carers are on hand to help you with a broad range of tasks in and around the home. We can help with:
- Support with personal care such as bathing and dressing
- Help with housework such as cleaning and laundry, or other household tasks
- Shopping and running errands
- Getting out and about, whether it helps with transport, getting to appointments, or assistance with shopping
- Encouraging gentle exercise to keep you mobile such as an accompanied walk in your neighbourhood, enjoying being in your garden or other activities you enjoy
- Meal preparation, washing up, and assistance with eating
- Reminding you to take your medications and help to order and collect prescriptions
What is arthritis?
The term arthritis is used to describe pain, swelling, and stiffness in one joint or multiple joints. Arthritis isn’t a single condition, there are many different types. People of all ages, races, and sexes live with arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in the UK. Although it is not a disease of aging, some types of arthritis (such as osteoarthritis) occur in older people more than children and younger people.
What types of arthritis are there?
There are many types of arthritis. There are some similarities between these conditions, but there are also some key differences.
The most common types include:
Is the most common form of arthritis in the UK. Symptoms typically present from 45 years and older. It causes painful and swollen joints anywhere in the body and is usually brought on through age or injury. Osteoarthritis affects around a third of people aged 45 and over in the UK.
is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that commonly affects the joints in the hands, wrists and knees and can present as flare-ups. ‘Autoimmune’ describes when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the body.
describes a number of conditions that cause inflammation mainly around the joints of the spine but can also affect the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). In these conditions, inflammation in and around the spine results in the vertebrae fusing together over time.
is an autoimmune condition and type of spondyloarthritis. Symptoms usually include painful swelling and stiffness within and around joints, as well as a red scaly skin rash called psoriasis. The rash can affect several places in the body, including the elbows, knees, back, buttocks and scalp. It is also common to have severe fatigue.
is sometimes called Reiter’s syndrome, and is triggered by an infection in the body, most often the intestines, genitals or urinary tract. The condition usually targets the knees, ankles and feet.
is a painful infection in a joint that can come from germs that travel through the bloodstream from another part of the body. It can occur when a penetrating injury, such as an animal bite or trauma, delivers germs directly into the joint. Infants and older adults are most likely to develop septic arthritis.
causes painful flare-ups in the joints, typically in the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the body. Joints affected by gout can become red and hot. The skin may appear shiny and can peel. It is caused by having too much uric acid in the body.
is the most common type of chronic arthritis in children under the age of 16. Like rheumatoid arthritis, it can present as flare-ups and affect more than joints, including internal organs and eyes.
Arthritis care with Trinity Homecare
Through our decades of experience supporting people with arthritis, we know that everyone is different. That’s why we offer a range of services to suit your specific needs. We provide home care from 30-minute visits a few times a week to daily visits or live-in care, and everything in between.
We provide a free no-obligation enquiry service, including a free at-home assessment with our experienced care team. Working with you and anyone else involved in your care – such as family or other care professionals – we will develop a tailored care plan based on your personal needs and wishes.
To find out how we can help, get in touch with our care team today on 020 4530 8354 or complete our online enquiry form. Our team is ready to take your call 7 days a week between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm and is happy to answer any queries you have.
