It is rather stressful to find that your home is not designed to help you cope with arthritis. Even simple things such as opening a can to walking up the stairs may need additional help. However there are many ways that you can change your home to adapt with this situation.
Coping at Home
Coping at home could mean you have to rearrange certain items of furniture such as the sofa or bed to help you move more easily around your home.
It is also wise to arrange items so that anything that you use most often is arrange to be at the front. This is particularly helpful as it helps reduce stress during times when arthritis is at its peak.
- Buy gadgets that can help you open cans or bottles. Make sure they have thicker handles so it can be easily held.
- Use a spoon as leverage to open cans and other tins.
- Plan in advance. Purchse items that will help and not hinder you.
- A high stool that is useful when you are preparing food.
- A trolley that can help with moving larger loads around the home.
- Devices to help turn the tap more easily.
- In exceptional cases of arthritis a stair lift may be needed to help you move up stairs.
- Thinking ahead will always help - plan your kitchen so most items are at a good height so you wont need to bend over too much when you use the equipment i.e. raise the oven.
