Aging with hemophilia

Aging can affect mobility and lead to a series of complications for people with hemophilia, including increasing the risk of joint bleeds and irreversible joint damage.

Regular exercise and physical therapy can be an important part of maintaining your strength, protecting your joints, and managing hemophilia’s impact on your body.

Protect your joints and keep moving safely

Hemophilia and joint health are closely linked, given that bleeding episodes can damage joints and make exercise more challenging, especially in older adults with hemophilia.

Staying active supports both living well with hemophilia and independence. Ask your doctor about recommendations for exercise for people with hemophilia. Even gentle exercise can help keep joints stable and pain-free.

A healthy lifestyle with hemophilia may include doing safe activities, such as:

• cycling
• golf
• hiking
• tai chi
• swimming
• walking
• yoga

Hemophilia care for seniors should prioritize protecting joint health and regulating physical exertion. Key strategies include:

• engaging in low-impact activities
• avoiding high-impact or high-injury activities, such as basketball, football, hockey, rugby, motorcycling, tennis, and skiing
• maintaining a healthy weight
• treating joint bleeds right away
• tracking joint symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and changes in movement
• communicating with your physical therapist about exercise goals

Physical therapy may lessen the long-term effects of hemophilia, including preventing complications and managing pain from hemophilia.

Adaptive equipment and other tools can help you stay safe while being active.

• Braces and splints can help support and stabilize joints during movement.
• Canes and walkers may reduce pressure on joints and aid in fall prevention.
• Mobile apps can be used for tracking bleeding and for exercise reminders.

Eat to support your body and joints

A balanced diet is essential for everyone, but especially for people with chronic conditions such as hemophilia. Good nutrition for hemophilia includes eating iron-rich foods, such as red meat and leafy green vegetables.

Your diet should also include foods that support joint, heart, and bone health, such as:

• skim milk and other low-fat dairy products
• whole grains
• orange fruits and vegetables
• almonds
• salmon
• legumes

Meal-planning strategies may include:

• writing down weekly menus to organize shopping
• simplifying meal prep to save time and energy
• focusing on a wide variety of foods to address nutritional needs
• choosing meals that are easy to prepare

Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Boost your mood and stay connected

With a chronic condition such as hemophilia, staying socially engaged can reduce stress, relieve anxiety, combat isolation, and boost your overall mood.

As you age, mental wellness practices may include:

• stress management techniques such as relaxation and guided imagery
• maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and advocating for your accommodation needs
• identifying and changing negative thought patterns to reduce stress and anxiety about unpredictable bleeding episodes
• seeking counseling to express fears, concerns, and emotions related to hemophilia and quality of life

Make daily life easier and safer

Make living with hemophilia safer and more manageable as you get older with home modifications that reduce fall risk and potential bruising. These include:

• soft floor surfaces to reduce injury from falls
• furniture with rounded corners to prevent cuts and bruises
• chairs and sofas with soft armrests and cushions to decrease pressure on joints
• grab bars in showers and nonslip mats in tubs
• motion-sensor lights for nighttime navigation
• handrails on both sides of the stairs for extra support

Supportive technologies, such as scheduled reminders and health apps, can help you stay on track with treatments and doctor appointments.

Build a support team that works for you

Schedule regular check-ins with your care team, including your hematologist and primary care physician. This allows you to monitor your treatment, prevent complications, and adjust your care as needed.

Emotional support for people with hemophilia is also important for their mental health.

Support groups are one way to find social connection, such as through the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, the Hemophilia Federation of America, or the Facebook page of Hemophilia News Today.