Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder that is primarily characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. According to the most recent information from the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), approximately 10 million Americans currently suffer from this condition. When left untreated, fibromyalgia can be debilitating. Early intervention is crucial. If your elderly loved one is showing the first warning signs of fibromyalgia, it is critical that you get them the support that they need — free home healthcare services may even be available.
Fibromyalgia: The Signs and the Symptoms
Fibromyalgia is associated with a number of different symptoms. This can make the condition somewhat difficult to diagnose — it is easy to confuse fibromyalgia with other medical issues. In its milder forms, those with fibromyalgia may not even be sure that they have a health problem at all. The most notable signs and symptoms that you should watch for are as follows:
- Widespread pain, especially in muscles and ligaments;
- Soreness in the back, neck, or shoulders;
- Fatigue that cannot be alleviated with additional sleep;
- A general mental fuzziness that is sometimes called ‘fibrofog’;
- Unusual headaches; and
- Intestinal problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Please remember that fibromyalgia is a serious medical condition. It should not be self-diagnosed. If your elderly loved one is displaying some of the early signs or symptoms of fibromyalgia, it is crucial that you schedule an appointment with a qualified medical professional. You need to get them the help that they deserve.
What You Can Do to Help an Elderly Loved One With Fibromyalgia
While caring for an elderly loved one with fibromyalgia can be challenging, there are many things that you can do to help make their life easier. First, it is important to be understanding and to recognize that their medical condition can cause them considerable day-to-day difficulties. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition and its more severe forms can be incredibly painful.
From there, it is useful to remember that caring for a loved one with fibromyalgia works best as a team effort. Fibromyalgia can make it hard for a person to do certain basic tasks. An elderly person who is suffering from this condition may need assistance with a wide range of functions. Taking the time to understand their needs and helping when and where you can will go a long way towards making the condition easier to live with.
Finally, it is important to remember to consider seeking professional help. There are home healthcare services available that have been specifically designed to help people with fibromyalgia. While the condition is still not entirely understood — even by the experts — we do know how to make living with fibromyalgia much easier for elderly people.
Home Healthcare Services For Elderly Patients With Fibromyalgia
At United Energy Workers Healthcare and Four Corners Health Care, we provide top home healthcare services to elderly patients with a wide range of medical conditions, including fibromyalgia. If your loved one is an DOL EEOICPA or RECA beneficiary, they may qualify for free home health care benefits. To get more information on our services, please do not hesitate to contact us today.