Gout occurs when a person has high uric acid and crystals build up in a joint. It’s commonly found in the big toe joint but can occur anywhere. A form of arthritis, it creates intense pain and tenderness, making getting around extremely difficult and painful. While it can happen to anyone, some individuals end up with recurring gout and must manage it again and again, making it difficult to stay independent without the help of assisted living at home services.

Who Gets Gout

Gout can occur in anybody, but several risk factors increase the chances of your loved one having gout. High uric acids are the main culprit, and those acids can be higher in some individuals than others. Some factors that may increase the amount of uric acid in the body and that assisted living at home providers can help with include:

• Eating a lot of shellfish and red meat and drinking beverages with a lot of fructose. Too much of any of these can increase uric acid levels.
• Drinking too much alcohol or drinking frequently.
• Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.
• Medications are used to control high blood pressure or hypertension, and medications are used to prevent the rejection of recently implanted organs.
• Being overweight. Overweight individuals have more uric acid, and the kidneys have a more difficult time eliminating it.
• Being a woman after menopause. While men tend to get gout at a younger age, women are more likely to get it after menopause due to increased uric acids.
• A family history of gout.

Gout Prevention Tips

If recurring gout is something your aging loved one struggles with, here are three steps she, you, and assisted living at home providers can take to reduce the risk of a gout flare-up.

1. Adjust her diet. If your loved one is used to eating a lot of red meat, and shellfish, or drinking a lot of sugary drinks, she’ll need to make some adjustments to her diet. Adding in more fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins will help to reduce her uric acid levels. Tart cherry juice has been shown to lower the risk as well.
2. Develop a healthy, active lifestyle. Losing weight slowly while building muscle from exercising is the best way for your loved one to not only reduce her risk of developing gout but also stave off numerous health concerns.
3. Stay hydrated. Keeping the kidneys working helps the body eliminate uric acids.

When Gout Occurs, Assisted Living at Home Can Step In

Despite your loved one’s best efforts, she may still come down with an occasional bout of gout. During these bouts, she may need help managing the symptoms, as well as help around the home.

Having someone provide assisted living at home services can be one way your loved one manages her gout while still staying independent. By having an assisted living at home professional come into the home, your loved one won’t need to visit a care facility while she recovers.

Assisted living at home providers can help with the following:

• Caring for the affected area by providing ice packs and managing pain medications such as ibuprofen.
• Helping your loved one find a comfortable position where she can elevate the affected area.
• Keeping your loved one hydrated by bringing plenty of water and other non-caffeinated drinks.
• Reducing stress by helping with household chores while your loved one is recuperating such as light cleaning, taking the dog for a walk, or getting the mail.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living at Home in Franklin, WI, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (414) 206-2090

At Talem Home Care of Milwaukee, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Brookfield, Cudahy, Delafield, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.

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