Living with arthritis: Making things easier at home
12 October is World Arthritis Day, an annual campaign that aims to increase awareness around arthritis and support people living with this, often debilitating, condition all year round.
If you live with someone who suffers from arthritis or you are afflicted yourself, check out a few of these top tips for making things easier around the home.
Adapting your home
There are a few practical changes you can make to your home which might make it easier for you to manage your condition. For a start, move all of the bits and pieces you need on a daily basis so that they are always within easy reach.
Avoid using high cupboards or low drawers when possible and remember that while you may be able to reach many things on a good day, you’ll be grateful to have things to hand if you suffer a flare up. Invest in a long-armed pick up tool to help you fetch items without having to get up.
In the kitchen, switch to electric tools (like automatic can openers) wherever you can. It’s also a good idea to keep a bar stool in the kitchen, so you can rest while preparing food or working at the counter. A long-armed tool or stick with a rubber stopper on the end can be very useful for pushing buttons on microwaves.
Small changes can make a big difference
Installing a handrail to help you get up and down the stairs is another practical and useful addition, as are rails in the bathroom to help you use the toilet or to get in and out of a bath or shower. You could also replace round taps with long-handled ones for a better grip. Likewise, replace doorknobs with handles instead, and replace fiddly handles on drawers.
Choosing chairs with arms will also make it easier for you to get up again after sitting. If you have low chairs, furnish them with firm cushions to add height and make standing and sitting easier. With a few simple adjustments, your home can become a much more arthritis-friendly place. For more help and information, have a look at Arthritis Care.
What are your tips for living with arthritis?
Disclaimer
All content on Silversurfers.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated at all as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Silversurfers will not be responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content on www.silversurfers.com and we are also not liable for the content of any external websites or links from or to Silversurfers to any other websites. Please always consult your own doctor if you’re in any way concerned about any aspect of your health.
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
Latest posts by Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor (see all)
- Graham Norton’s funniest interviews - April 2, 2024
- Chocolate dipped strawberries for Easter - March 28, 2024
- Elton John’s Greatest Hits Playlist - March 24, 2024
- The best of Diana Ross - March 23, 2024
- Easter activities for grandchildren - March 23, 2024
