Managing Your Arthritis
Protecting your Joints
Pain is the body’s warning sign of excess stress on joints. You may need to stop the activity and rest more often, limit the amount of work or modify the activity. For instance, allow dishes to air dry rather than wiping them. It is advisable to use larger, stronger body joints. For example carry shopping bags on your forearm or use both hands, rather than carry them in one hand.
Brochures are available from the Independent Living Centre on ‘Principles of Joint Protection’ and ‘Work Simplification and Energy Conservation’. They contain information that may be helpful in assisting you to manage your arthritis and are free of charge. Listed below are some items that may help you to manage a variety of everyday tasks. Many of these items are on display at the Independent Living Centre.
Household Tasks
* Utensils with a built up handle may be easier to grasp eg. specifically designed vegetable peelers, cutlery, cooking spatula. Alternatively tubular foam or lightweight slip on handles can be added to a range of items eg. eating utensils, hairbrush, toothbrush.
* A kettle tipper is designed to assist with pouring from a standard kettle without having to lift the kettle.
* A variety of jar openers and can openers, including ring-pull can openers are available.
* An ergonomic knife with an angled handle may assist if cutting and slicing have become difficult.
* Turning taps may be a problem and a variety of tap turners and lever style taps are available.
* Doorknob grippers or non-slip matting may make it easier to turn round doorknobs.
* A pick up reacher is a long handled stick with a claw at the end which enables you to pick up lightweight objects off the floor or from unreachable heights.
* Plastic plug pullers may assist in pulling electric plugs out of their close fitting sockets.
* Instead of carrying heavy objects a trolley can be used.
* A key turner gives better grip and leverage on keys.
* Writing is generally easier if the pen is thick, but lightweight. Plastic, rubber and foam grips can be added to existing pens and pencils to aid grasp.
* Spring action scissors assist with opening scissors and require less pressure and less involvement of the thumb to operate them.
Dressing
* Clothing that pulls on without fastenings, or at least has the fastenings at the front is generally easier to manage. Suggestions can be made on replacing some buttons, press studs or hook and eye fastenings with hook and loop fastenings.
* Button hooks, zip pullers and dressing sticks may be of assistance.
* Bras with no fastenings that pull over the head may be of benefit.
* Sock and stocking aids assist with reaching the sock or stocking to the foot and pulling it up.
* Sheepskin slippers that open up flat make it easier to place your foot in and do up with hook and loop fastenings. They are available with non-slip rubber soles for good grip.
* A long handled shoehorn may assist with getting on shoes.
Personal Care
* Pill splitters, pill crushers and medicine organisers may assist with medicine management.
* If you have restricted range of movement of your neck or shoulder an angled long handled brush, comb or washing sponge may help.
Recreation
* Light weight, long handled and adapted garden tools may assist.
* A card holder will allow you to look at your cards and select one without having to hold them in your hand.
* Book holders support your book, whilst you are in a chair or bed.
For further information or to make an appointment to visit the display please contact the Independent Living Centre: www.ilc.asn.au
