Assistive Devices for Arthritis: Everyday Things That Make Life Easier

Is arthritis getting in the way of your daily life? 

If so, then you’re one of many; in fact, there are 3.6 million Australians living with arthritis. 

Arthritis pain can interfere with everything from fine motor skills to mobility, and is a major cause of inability to work

Fortunately there are a wide range of assistive devices that can make day to day life easier for those with arthritis.

But first—what exactly is arthritis? 

Arthritis is an umbrella term referring to a number of different conditions that produce inflammation and pain in one’s joints. The word comes from the Greek prefix “arthro-” meaning joint, and the suffix “-itis” meaning inflammation. 

The two most common conditions under this category are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage lining your joints wear down over time, causing the bones to rub together when the affected joint moves. 

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease in which one’s immune system attack the joints.

There is no cure for arthritis, but it can be managed through medication, physiotherapy, good diet and exercise, as well as with the use of assistive devices like the ones listed in this article. 

Assistive Devices That Can Help People With Arthritis 

Mobility Aids for Arthritis 

Arthritis in the feet, ankles, hips or knees can make walking difficult. These devices can reduce the amount of body weight loaded on the arthritic joints. 

  • Walking sticks or canes. These can provide a third point of contact with the ground, helping improve your stability and allowing you to shift your body weight away from your weak side. 
  • Walkers or rollators. These can support as much as half of the user’s body weight, significantly reducing the demands on the affected joints. These can be especially useful for those with more severe walking difficulty, and when there is arthritis on both sides. 
An elderly man using a walker

Walkers can greatly reduce the strain on arthritic feet, ankles, and knees.

Will you be using a cane or walker for the first time? Our physiotherapists and occupational therapists can help teach you the proper techniques for using them safely and effectively. 

Kitchen Aids for Arthritis 

Arthritis in the hands and wrists can interfere with the fine motor skills needed in the kitchen. This makes handling knives not only challenging but dangerous. 

  • Adaptive handles for cutlery. You can find adaptive cutlery with larger, non-slip handles (typically made out of silicone) that are easier to grip. You can also buy the grips themselves and attach them to your existing cutlery. 
  • Jar, bottle, and can openers. There are various devices available that make it easier to open containers. These range from simple rubberised jar openers that compensate for limited grip strength, to automatic ones that will do the job for you. 
  • Food cutting devices. You can make use of various kitchen tools that lessen the amount of knife work required, from mandolins to electric food processors and “slap-chop” devices. 
A mandolin, a tool that can make slicing food easier for those with arthritis

Mandolins let you slice a large amount of food more easily than with a knife. 

Bathroom Aids for Arthritis

Arthritis in the hands can make it difficult to get around in the bathroom and perform your usual hygiene routines. These devices and home modifications can help. 

  • Grab bars and rails. Installing grab bars in the shower or near the toilet can help with balance and make it easier to sit and stand.
  • Shower chairs. Sitting down while showering reduces the strain on your feet, knees, and hips, and can lessen the risk of falls. 
  • Raised toilet seats. These add extra height to the toilet seat, making it easier to get on and off the seat with less strain on the joints. 
A toilet with a raised seat and handrails for safety can help those with arthritis

A raised bathroom seat with handrails make it easier to sit and stand.

  • Electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush will make it easier to brush your teeth thoroughly without subjecting the affected hand to repetitive motion. As a bonus, electric toothbrushes generally have a larger grip than standard toothbrushes.
  • Long-handled bath brushes and sponges. These are particularly useful if you have arthritis in the hands, elbows, or shoulders. 

Office Equipment for Arthritis 

Arthritis in the hands can also make general office tasks a pain, especially when you have to do it for several hours each day. Here are devices that can help you work more comfortably. 

  • Ergonomic keyboards and mice. There are keyboards and mice specifically designed to be easier on the joints of the hands and wrists. 
  • Ergonomic chair. When choosing your office chair, make sure that it is a height that allows you to sit and stand easily, and that it provides enough cushioning for your hips.
  • Voice recognition. The use of voice-activated virtual assistants and speech-to-text software can enable you to do certain tasks with less clicking and typing. 

General Devices for Arthritis 

Here are other devices that can make living with arthritis easier and more comfortable in general:  

  • Arthritis gloves. These are designed to reduce hand pain, swelling, and stiffness by providing gentle compression and warmth. They improve circulation and support joints, helping ease discomfort and allowing users to perform daily tasks more easily.
  • Heating pads. By applying warmth to affected areas, they help increase blood flow, relax muscles, and reduce stiffness, which can alleviate pain and improve mobility.
  • Voice-activated virtual assistants. Voice-controlled technologies such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant can also be incredibly useful for people with arthritis. These tools let you perform tasks like setting reminders, sending messages, controlling smart home devices, and making phone calls without needing to manually interact with a device.
  • Reachers and grabbers. These long-handled tools allow individuals to pick up items from the floor or high shelves without bending or stretching, and provide extra grip as well. 
  • Doorknob and key modifications. Inserting a door key, as well as gripping and turning a doorknob, can be challenging for those with hand arthritis. Modifications like a large key turner attachment, as well as replacing round door knobs with lever-style ones, can make this task easier. 

Is Arthritis Slowing You Down?  

Our team of expert physiotherapists and occupational therapists is here to help. 

We can create a treatment plan to help you manage your arthritis symptoms, as well as help you with the assistive devices and home modifications that will make your life easier. 

Get in touch with us through the contact form or by calling 02 8808 4000—we’ll be happy to answer your questions!