Making your home more arthritis-friendly can significantly enhance your quality of life, especially if you struggle with arthritis in your hands or other joints. You can create a living space supporting your wellness and independence with simple adjustments and the right strategies. Whether you’re exercising at home or seeking to reduce the daily strain on your joints, the following tips have been carefully curated by therapists skilled in arthritis physiotherapy in Edmonton.
These suggestions not only ease the physical demands of your environment but also empower you to maintain an active lifestyle with in-home physio techniques designed to manage arthritis pain effectively. Embrace these changes and transform your home into a haven that nurtures your health and supports your arthritis management journey.
1. Optimize Your Living Space
Keep Frequently Used Items Accessible
Store everyday items like dishes, utensils, and toiletries within easy reach to avoid unnecessary bending. This can be done using shelves and drawers at waist or shoulder height. Keeping things within easy reach reduces strain on your joints and makes daily tasks more manageable and less painful.
Create Clear Pathways
Ensure walkways are free from clutter and tripping hazards, particularly in frequently used areas like the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Clear pathways make it easier to move around safely and reduce the risk of falls. Removing unnecessary obstacles and organizing your space can significantly improve your mobility and comfort at home.
Use Lever Handles Instead of Knobs
Replacing traditional door knobs with lever handles can make opening doors easier, especially if you have limited hand strength. Lever handles require less effort and can be a simple yet effective way to make your home more accessible and user-friendly for those with arthritis.
2. Upgrade Your Furniture
Choose Supportive Seating
Invest in chairs and sofas that provide good support and are easy to get in and out of. Look for furniture with firm cushions and armrests to assist with standing up. Supportive seating helps reduce strain on your joints and makes it easier to move from seated to standing, enhancing your overall comfort.
Adjust Bed Height
Make sure your bed is at a height where you can easily sit down and stand up. Bed risers can be a simple solution to achieve the perfect height. Adjusting the bed height ensures that getting in and out of bed is less strenuous, which is particularly beneficial if you experience stiffness or pain in the morning.
Use a Shower Chair
A shower chair will make bathing safer and more comfortable. It reduces the risk of slipping and provides a firm surface to sit on while showering. Using a shower chair helps maintain your independence and ensures you can bathe without putting unnecessary strain on your joints.
3. Utilize Assistive Devices
Grab Bars and Handrails
Place grab bars in the bathroom and along staircases to provide extra support. These can help you hold your balance and prevent falls. Grab bars offer a sturdy handhold, especially useful when navigating slippery surfaces or transitioning between different levels in your home.
Non-Slip Mats
Place non-slip mats in the shower, bathtub, and other areas prone to getting wet. These mats can prevent slipping and provide additional stability. Non-slip mats are a simple and inexpensive way to enhance safety and diminish the risk of falls, providing peace of mind when moving around your home.
Reachers and Grabbers
Use reachers and grabbers to pick up items from the floor or high shelves. These tools can help you avoid bending and stretching, minimizing strain on your back and joints. Reachers and grabbers are useful for retrieving items out of reach, making daily tasks easier and more manageable.
4. Simplify Daily Tasks
Use Electric Appliances
Replace manual kitchen tools with electric versions, such as can openers, food processors, and mixers. These appliances can reduce strain on hands and wrists, making food preparation easier and more enjoyable. Electric appliances can significantly reduce the effort required, allowing you to continue cooking without discomfort.
Dress with Ease
Select clothing with easy-to-use fastenings like zippers, Velcro, and large buttons. Adaptive clothing options are also available to make dressing simpler. These modifications make it easier to get dressed without straining joints, adding convenience and independence to your daily routine.
5. Prioritize Comfort and Accessibility
Maintain a Comfortable Temperature
Keep your home at a comfortable temperature to help manage arthritis pain. Use heating pads or electric blankets to provide extra warmth on colder days. A warm environment can soothe aching joints and improve comfort, especially during colder months.
Organize Your Kitchen
Arrange your kitchen so that frequently used items are easy to access. Installing pull-out shelves and lazy Susans to reduce the need for reaching and bending. Organizing your kitchen in a user-friendly way can minimize strain and make cooking more efficient.
Make Your Bedroom Cozy
Ensure your bedroom is a restful space by using supportive pillows and mattresses. Keep essentials like medications and water within reach on your bedside table to avoid unnecessary movements. A well-organized and comfortable bedroom promotes better sleep and relaxation, which is essential for managing arthritis symptoms.
At our clinic for arthritis physiotherapy in Edmonton, we’re here to help you manage arthritis more effectively. Making your home arthritis-friendly can significantly improve your quality of life. We’re always here to support you with an exercise-at-home program through in-home physio at your comfort.
Embrace a More Comfortable Living
Incorporating these physiotherapy-approved tips into your home environment can substantially alleviate the challenges associated with arthritis. Vertex Physiotherapy is here to support your journey towards a more arthritis-friendly lifestyle. Our expert team specializes in arthritis physiotherapy in Edmonton, offering personalized strategies and in-home physio sessions to help you achieve greater well-being right where you live.
If you’re ready to take the next step in managing your arthritis more effectively, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Vertex Physiotherapy today, and let’s work together to tailor a physiotherapy plan that fits seamlessly into your life and enhances your home environment.