Millions of Americans with arthritis can find relief and improve their quality of life through simple devices designed to make everyday tasks easier. From canes to car-door openers, manufacturers have come up with a wide array of helpful devices.

“Arthritic joints take more effort to move than normal joints,” said Ginny Keely, P.T., M.S., of Southwest Texas State University’s Department of Physical Therapy in San Marcos, Texas. “Learning to protect joints reduces pain and saves energy. Adaptive devices and techniques can improve the mechanics of a task, allowing it to be accomplished with less strength or movement,” Keely explained.

The Benefits of Assistive Devices
The benefits of assistive devices are many, says Dr. Thao Tran, of The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) and the University of Texas-Houston Medical School. Safety should be the No. 1 factor, but quality of life also is very important. Many easy-to-use medical aids are available to help with function and independence, but individuals should receive instructions on how to use them from their physician or therapist, Tran cautions.

Many assistive devices are available at your nearest drugstore or medical supply store. According to Tran, there are three categories:
Mobility aids — Canes, crutches and walkers help your balance, compensate for weakness on one side and prevent falls while taking the weight off sore joints. They can also prevent additional stress to other areas of your body. For example, overcompensating for a sore left knee, in the long run, could cause deterioration in your right knee.

Daily living items — These include bath bars, jar grippers and other household gadgets. Hundreds of adaptive devices are available that can help with personal care and household tasks.

High-tech help — This can range from voice recognition systems for computers to inexpensive timers for clocks, alarms, lights and heating/air conditioning systems.

Home Sweet Home
Discovering helpful tools and making some simple changes to your home can make a big difference. Home health occupational therapists can help you identify ways to make your home safer and easier to navigate. Or try these small changes, recommended by a number of sources, including Tran and Keely:
Use adaptive devices, such as jar openers, that will help you function with less pain.

Ask your pharmacist for easy-open caps rather than childproof lids for your medications without prescriptions if there are no children in your house.

Place a waterproof chair or stool in the tub or shower to help you get in and out more easily.

Adjust the height of the toilet seat with risers.

Use electric can openers and knives.

Invest in large-handled eating and cooking utensils. Many have special easy-to-hold grips.

Use long-handled reaching devices or tongs for grasping hard-to-get items.

Count on shoehorns and use Velcro instead of shoelaces.

With just a few accommodations like these, arthritis patients can protect their fragile joints from further injury.