As someone who’s lived with rheumatoid arthritis for years, I know the toll that swollen or painful joints can have on the quality of your life. Living with arthritis can mean having to ask for help or changing your routine to exclude the things that are too hard or painful. Thankfully, living with arthritis doesn’t have to mean losing your independence; sometimes it just means finding new solutions. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to live an independent, comfortable life with arthritis, help could be just a click away. Here are 9 products that can help you overcome some typical obstacles easily and painlessly.
1. Adaptive Utensils from BUNMO
Getting silverware that suits your needs is one of the easiest ways to help your arthritis out. These wider utensils are easier to grip and will prevent any pain or difficulty while you eat.
2. Multipurpose Can Opening Tool from OYOY
Opening cans and bottles can be a tall order for someone with arthritis as gripping, pulling and twisting can all cause wear and tear on your joints. Using a multipurpose tool like this one means you won’t have to wrestle with lids or stubborn tops anymore.
3. Hair Dryer Stand from CHRUNONE
If your arthritis makes it hard for you to reach a blow dryer around your head, this is one easy way to help make your daily routine less taxing. Freeing up your hands and joints from more painful angles will make getting ready easy and comfortable.
4. Angled Posturite Board from The North Coast Medical Store
You wouldn’t think of reading or writing as being particularly demanding, but with arthritis these tasks can quickly become painful. This board has been specifically designed to help those with arthritis, using a comfortable ergonomic angle that won’t leave you distracted from your work or reading by aches or pains. It’s also magnetic so you can keep your pens or anything else exactly where you need them.
5. Softgrip Spring Action Scissors from Thornton’s Art Supply Store
Most of us use scissors on an everyday basis, but many pairs don’t offer comfort or convenience to people with arthritis. Make this everyday tool work for you instead of against you by buying a pair of scissors that you can easily maneuver.
6. Long Reacher Grabber with Rotating Jaw from RMS
If picking things up off of the floor has become something you dread, a grabbing tool can be a helpful way to help avoid movements that aggravate your arthritis. Having this one tool around can help you avoid a whole range of motions that can cause discomfort or lasting pain, saving you time, energy and effort in your daily life.
7. Foam Kneeling Pads from Gorilla Grip
If you’re someone who likes to do their own maintenance or tend a garden, you know that kneeling can be especially hard on your knees and can cause you to tap out before you’re finished with the task at hand. These kneeling pads can soften any irritation, letting you stay in position for longer without needing to get up or shift around.
8. Silver Jewelry Fastener from Extreme Brands
If you love jewelry but have started needing help with the smaller clasps due to arthritis, a small tool like this can be a life saver. This fastener can give you back more control over the jewelry you’re able to wear, no matter how difficult the clasps are.
9. Dressing Stick with Zipper Puller from The Vive Store
Dressing yourself is a big part of independence for many people; if you’ve found it hard to maneuver belt loops, sleeves, shoes or even socks because of arthritis, this multi-use dresser stick can help. Just a few simple hooks and clasps can give you command over a whole range of motion, making it easier than ever to get ready for the day on your own.
Living with arthritis isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Helpful tools like these can reduce everyday pain and discomfort and even help maintain independence and agency for people with arthritis. Being able to regain the ability to do certain things easily again has its own special joy and freedom; I hope some of these tools will help you reclaim your own power to live free of pain or discomfort.
