The Must-Have Adaptive Equipment You Need When Suffering From Arthritis

Living with arthritis may be filled with discomfort as one feels a dull aching or sensation in the joints. People with arthritis tend to limit their movement and activities and may not enjoy life in general like how they used to. It is never too late! With the proper adaptive equipment, you can still live life on your terms, even with arthritis. Here are essential pieces of adaptive equipment you should consider adding to your household when you have arthritis.

Handles and Knobs

It's time to visit nearby hardware or browse through home appliance stores online and look for the following equipment. Before shopping, try to discuss your list with an occupational therapist (OT) so that they can help you narrow down the items to the essential ones.

When shopping, try to look for extended-handed tools. These tools help you pick up items on the floor or reach objects in high places. These tools also help you do chores faster. Go for lightweight appliances for mopping and vacuuming, touch-activated light switches, and lever handles so you can avoid using your fingers in gripping. Also, include foam pipe insulation of any tool for effortless grip and spring load scissors for easier cutting.

When Getting Dressed

You can still look gorgeous even with arthritis! Don't think about discarding your favorite blouse, shirt, and other favorite pieces of clothing. With the addition of buttoning aids, button hooks, and zipper pulls, you can wear your favorite clothes again. The next time you go shopping, also consider buying clothes with Velcro fasteners. When buying shoes, go for shoes with a long-handled shoehorn.

Here are more adaptive clothing habits when you have arthritis. Choose comfortable, stretchy clothes with a loose fit, such as pull-on tops and tunics and joggers and pants with drawstring waists. Avoid clothes with back closures to save your energy in moving zippers and buttons.

You may want to prepare your clothes a night before you use them. Doing so will afford you time to warm up your joints so that you can get dressed without stress and worry. Consider keeping track of flare days when you have the most pain in your joints so that you can adjust your wardrobe choice and choose more effortless clothing these days.

In the bathroom

Also, consider making some adjustments to your bathroom to accommodate your needs. Adding a bath stool in your shower area or tub gives you the option to take a seat without losing so much energy on standing up. Do you have trouble gripping your soap? Consider using bath mitts. If you have difficulty moving your hands when brushing your teeth, using an electric toothbrush and dental floss would make cleaning your teeth way faster and more efficient. Grab bars are also helpful to aid you in getting up or walking while in your toilet or bathroom.

You may also want to install a toilet surround so you can easily sit or stand up off the toilet bowl. Buckingham easy wipe toilet tissue aids may also be an excellent addition to your bathroom if you struggle with arm mobility in reaching toilet tissue paper wipes. Here are other extras you may want to include: tap turners, ETAC body washer/ETAC hair washer, and Bellavita recliner bath lift.

Mobility Devices

Daily movements may start getting restricted when one has arthritis. But before buying any mobility devices, try to see a physical therapist who can make a thorough assessment of the patient. The physical therapist can determine the patient's goals and decide on which devices help them achieve them. Family members and carers can also learn from the PT regarding helpful tips in caring for patients. Here are essential mobility devices for patients with arthritis.

The cane is a handy device that helps ease the stress on one's affected hip, knee or foot. Experts advise using a cane on the opposite side of the area with arthritis.

Crutches are not only for broken bones. Lofstrand crutches or forearm crutches help your forearm feel a higher level of stability when walking. Walkers are also helpful for people with joint problems on both sides of their lower bodies. This device can also assist people with balancing issues. Other mobility devices include knee braces, air splints, shoe inserts, and orthopedic shoes.