Is your arthritis making it challenging for you to perform basic household tasks? If so, you are probably one of the 55 million adults in the US with this condition who wish there was a way to cook, bathe, do laundry, and move around and about your house more easily. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to make that possible. It involves adapting the way you go about doing things. The following are a few effective tips and techniques you can apply when adapting at home with arthritis.
Use Your Energy Wisely
You will only have so much energy in a day, especially when you are suffering from arthritis. That means you should use it wisely. You can do things a little bit differently in areas of your home where you normally exert the most effort. These are generally the bathroom and kitchen. If you want to conserve your energy as much as possible, consider making the following adaptations:
- Refrain from bending over to reach things whenever you can do so. Place the most commonly-used items at counter-level. If there are items you need to reach that are above or below this level, you can use a grabber tool that will help you avoid physical pain.
- Opt for getting the miniature versions of items so that you have an easier time holding and handling them. Instead of buying a massive laundry detergent jug, go for small disposable pods. This will make it easier on your arms.
- Sit down when performing your normal activities instead of standing. Using a chair or stool while conducting food prep, for example, will help keep your legs from becoming too sore and buckling under you.
- Become more efficient with timing things. Meal prep earlier on in the day can do wonders for your hands feeling less sore in the evening.
Increase the Safety of Your Bathroom
Slipping and falling are two of the biggest dangers of getting hurt inside the home. In fact, they are the leading cause of emergency room visits in the United States! The area of the home where these are the most prevalent is the bathroom. If you want to play it safe, then you will want to increase the safety of your bathroom.
People suffering from arthritis have a greater likelihood of falling and getting hurt in the bathroom. That is why you can take the following precautions:
- Place an adjustable transfer bench near your bath for an easier time entering and exiting the tub.
- Place a chair in your shower that has been designed for this purpose.
- Have bars that can be grabbed onto installed within your bathtub and shower stall, as well as by the toilet.
- Place a slip mat near the bathtub, as well as the toilet.
- Have motion-activated nightlights installed for when you need to use the bathroom at night.
Make Your Stairs and Hallways Safer
When you have joints that give you severe pain, you will probably want to look into getting a stairlift installed on your stairs. You may also want to consider getting a ramp for getting in and out of your home more easily. Besides these upgrades, you can do the following:
- Place slip mats on all stairs in your home.
- Use a cane in your open hand while using the other hand to hold onto the railing as you walk up staircases.
- Have guard rails installed for any stairs that are outside of your home.
- Ensure outdoor paths are properly illuminated.
- Replace throw rugs and install carpets that are well-secured.
- Remove any clutter in your home, especially anything obstructing hallways and stairs.
Work Smarter in the Kitchen
Working in the kitchen to prepare meals can be done a little bit smarter. If you succumb to arthritis, you know how challenging it is to do anything involving your hands and wrists. You can make the following adjustments that will prevent some of the soreness you may usually experience.
- Have everything you regularly use, especially cookware and appliances, within reach. This will help you avoid bending down and reaching into a drawer or cabinet.
- Find lighter cookware so that you can reduce the strain on your arms, hands, and wrists.
- Replace your kitchen tools with ones that have ergonomics in mind in their design.
- Get electric versions of manual tools, such as can openers.
- Purchase pre-cut produce to avoid needing to cut and chop anything by hand.
Make Items Easier to Reach
You may want to move around where things are in your home. For instance, if you find it very challenging to go up and down the stairs several times a day, make your bedroom on the ground floor. If you want to take things a step further, set up a mini-fridge right in your bedroom for a few common items that will save you extra trips to the kitchen, such as medicine or beverages. You can also have your washer and dryer moved to a location that requires less walking up and down steps.
Take a Joint Supplement
After adapting at home with arthritis, you can also consider taking a joint supplement to melt your arthritis-induced pain away. A popular joint supplement is JointFuel360. Containing all-natural ingredients, this supplement comes packed with potent anti-inflammatory compounds like turmeric and black pepper extract, along with antioxidants like resveratrol. You also get joint-strengthening ingredients, such as type II collagen and hyaluronic acid. JointFuel360 is an excellent addition to your daily routine that will help keep your arthritis at bay and you will have an easier time doing household tasks.
Conclusion
Now that you know some of the best ways of adapting at home with arthritis, you can get started on making your life a little easier, and doing so with less pain. There is no need to keep going on in agony or pain when there are plenty of changes you can make around the house and in your routine. Give yourself the gift of having an easier life!
