Trainers recommend hot baths for people with joint pain. Not only does the heat help ease the pain, but the soothing warmth of the water can also ease tension and stress. It helps the body and mind. If your mom deals with muscle and joint pain, a hot bath is an ideal treatment.
What are the best ways to get your mom set up for a bath? Use these steps to make sure the bath is safe and enjoyable.
Heat the Room to Start
When she gets out of the bath, she doesn’t want to be shivering and rushing to dry off and get dressed. Use a space heater to make the room warmer than the rest of the house. Her bathwater will stay warm for longer, and she’ll be able to take her time while she dries off after the bath.
Do Not Make the Water Too Warm
If the water is too hot, she’s going to overheat and be uncomfortable. That can make her feel lightheaded, which isn’t ideal when she goes to stand up. It’s best to aim for a bath that is only two or three degrees higher than the normal body temperature.
Get an instant thermometer. Aim for a bath that’s around 100 degrees F. If you’ve made the water too hot, you can adjust it using cool water. If it’s too cool, add warm water.
Add a Relaxing and Soothing Scent
Bath salts, such as Epsom salts, will help soothe muscle and joint pain. If your mom is diabetic, you have to talk to her doctor about whether it’s a good idea to use bath salts in her bathwater.
Add essential oils to the bath salts to gain the benefits of aromatherapy. Eucalyptus and lavender oils help with stress. Sweet marjoram oil can help with muscle and joint pain. Patchouli, peppermint, rosemary, and spearmint oils are also helpful at easing pain.
Make sure your mom has the support she needs at home. When joint and muscle pain make her less mobile than she used to be, caregivers can help with daily chores like vacuuming, mopping, and dusting. They can do the laundry and change sheets through senior care services like housekeeping.
Arrange senior care as often as you need it. She might want caregivers to stop by for daily companionship. Once a week might be better. A senior care representative can help you find the right schedule of care.
If you, or an aging loved-one, are considering hiring Home Care Services in La Jolla, CA , or the Surrounding San Diego Area, please contact the caring staff at GoldenCare today.
Call us at (760) 828-5201 today.
Call us at (760) 828-5201 today.
