Home Care’s Benefits for Those Living With Lupus and Their Caregivers

According to the Lupus Foundation, 1.5 million people live with lupus in the United States and 16,000 new diagnoses are made each year. Since its symptoms mimic those of other diseases, these statistics may actually underestimate how widespread the chronic condition is. Lupus is a disorder of the immune system in which it mistakes normal, healthy cells for disease-causing invaders. There is no way to tell where in the body the immune system will flare up so it is difficult for doctors to provide a prognosis and associate any set symptoms with the disease.

Since the disorder attacks different areas of the body, it is hard to profile specific symptoms of the disease like other chronic diseases. The most common symptoms of lupus include:

• Pain and swelling in joints
• Muscle pain
• Unexplained fevers
• Chest pain when breathing deep
• Oral ulcers
• Constant fatigue without a reason

Providing PCA services for those with lupus can be difficult as the flare-ups come unannounced. Personal care assistants forming a home care plan will find lupus a difficult case as patients can sometimes go decades without a symptom. There are some things that science advises caregivers to do to reduce the likelihood of a flare up.

• Medication is critical for the treatment of lupus. PCAs should ensure that lupus at home care patients take the correct prescriptions at the right time.
• Studies have shown that stress can trigger lupus flares. Caregivers should create a relaxed home care environment for their patient.
• Clinical studies have shown that exposure to sunlight can trigger flare-ups. Home caregivers should ensure that lupus patients wear protective clothing and use a high SPF sunscreen.

The best way to cope with lupus is to be knowledgeable and prepared. As a top Minneapolis home care agency, Best Home Care seeks to be a resource for those living with lupus and the personal care assistants and family caregivers that care for them. Browse the Best Home Care website for valuable caregiving resources and contact our home care professionals to learn more about providing home care for lupus patients.