Arthritis can make everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, and getting dressed a real challenge. Unfortunately, this can make it more difficult to maintain independence and freedom, and you may start to rely on other household members to help you complete the simplest of tasks.
Whilst there is no cure for this debilitating condition, fortunately, there are some simple home modifications that can make everyday life a little bit easier and help you to retain a certain level of independence. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to make your home more functional and comfortable for those living with arthritis.
Non-slip floors and rugs
Arthritis can make it difficult to navigate slippery floors in your home. To prevent slips and falls, it is helpful to consider adding non-slip flooring or rugs in areas of the home where floors are particularly slick. Non-slip rugs are especially helpful in the bathroom as they provide extra support when standing on hard surfaces like tile.
Specialty non-slip mats are also available for kitchen areas where spills may occur.
Comfort is key in the bedroom
Symptoms associated with certain arthritis-related conditions, such as gout, can become more pronounced at night. As such, it’s important to ensure that you create a healthy sleeping environment with a supportive mattress to give you the best chance of getting a good night’s sleep.
It can also help to have some extra pillows or blankets that you can stack up to raise the affected joint on. Doing so can help to reduce the pain associated with a flare-up, contributing to a more restful sleep. You can also look to use softer fabrics for your furniture and bedding that won’t aggravate your joints.
Grab bars and handrails
Grab bars and handrails help those with arthritis move around their homes safely and securely. Grab bars are most commonly used in bathrooms near showers and tubs, but they can be installed anywhere you need extra support when standing or walking – including the stairs.
Handrails come in various sizes; if you have a stairway leading into your home, handrails allow you to easily ascend or descend without having to use too much strength – which is especially beneficial when joint pain is involved.
Install a shower bench or chair
Showering in itself can be a particular challenge when living with any arthritis-related condition, with the combination of standing and contorting into awkward positions to wash difficult areas. Investing in a shower chair or bench could make all the difference and help make this everyday task that much easier.
Not only do they offer security and stability throughout your shower time, allowing you to remain secure on the chair while you wash, but they also provide support and comfort when used as a bench. There’s no need to compromise on quality either; there are plenty of products out there designed specifically with arthritis sufferers in mind, with extra padding, non-slip surfaces, backrests, and armrests for maximum support.
Ergonomic furniture
Ergonomic furniture is designed to provide comfort while reducing strain on joints due to posture or movements when sitting down. Specialty chairs such as recliners offer adjustable heights and armrests that make it easier to get up from a seated position without straining any joints.
Particularly if you spend any time working from home, it’s important that you use ergonomic furniture in your remote office too. Spending hours on end in an uncomfortable chair or an awkward position can exacerbate your symptoms, making it harder to stay productive.
As well as thinking about your back and neck, you should also consider how to reduce strain on your wrists. To do this, invest in an ergonomic keyboard that reduces muscle fatigue by allowing hands to rest comfortably at an angle while typing.
Conclusion
Living with arthritis does not have to be an overwhelming task if you take the initiative to create a comfortable living space for yourself or someone else with the condition.
From non-slip flooring and rugs to grab bars and ergonomic furniture, there are many ways you can modify your current home environment so that those with arthritis can live comfortably without sacrificing their independence or safety. Making these modifications can help make living life with arthritis less of a challenge and help to improve your health and wellbeing.
