26 September 2023
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to a person’s joints, often leading to mobility problems.
We wanted to find out exactly how rheumatoid arthritis can affect a person’s life, and how daily living aids can help those with the condition to retain some level of mobility and independence. We spoke to 72-year-old Patrick (Pat), a retired Textile Engineer from Leicestershire, to find out what challenges he faces daily due to his rheumatoid arthritis. We also spoke to our Occupational Therapy Assistant, Sharon, to get a professional view of rheumatoid arthritis equipment and aids.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swollen and stiff joints, and a feeling of pure exhaustion or fatigue. Experts don’t yet know why some people get rheumatoid arthritis and others do not, but they understand that it is caused by the body’s immune system.
Designed to protect our bodies, our immune system encompasses various organs and processes, all working together to protect the body from viruses and bacteria. However, in someone with an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, this protective system mistakenly fights against cells or parts within the body, as if they were a virus to be removed.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs because the body’s immune system causes inflammation to the tissue that lines bone joints, resulting in loss of cartilage and damage to nearby bone which causes joint stiffness and chronic pain.
Pat was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 15 years ago and his condition is now quite severe, with symptoms that affect his daily life.
“The first symptoms I had were painful knees and joints. I had to have an x-ray which confirmed it was rheumatoid arthritis. Nowadays, my knees are even worse – I have to take strong painkillers daily, although they don’t take the pain away completely. I also take antibiotics regularly.
“The joints of my hands and hips are affected which makes it difficult for me to cook, clean and even to walk. Walking is really painful and using the stairs is really hard work. I tire easily and need to rest a lot during the day. My daughter helps care for me and I lived with her and her family for a while. She helps me with the housework and cooks for me – she’s very good to me!”
Having a long-term, chronic pain condition like rheumatoid arthritis, can affect a person’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, as well as their physical self.
“I have down days – it’s depressing to think about my future and wonder if I will get worse. I hope that there will be more treatments or maybe even a cure one day, although I doubt it will be in my lifetime. I have good days and bad days, to be honest.”
Rheumatoid arthritis may gradually lead to a loss of mobility, and many people find they need daily living aids to help them get around and stay independent. Daily living aids are pieces of equipment designed to make life easier for people who have ill health or a disability.
“I use a walking stick, I have grab rails fixed around the house and I have raisers on my seats so I don’t have to bend as much when I go to sit or stand back up.”
Our Occupational Therapy Assistant, Sharon, explained the purpose of the rheumatoid arthritis equipment Pat uses, and gave us a rundown of some others that could help those living with rheumatoid arthritis:
"Everyone is familiar with walking sticks – they’re a common sight amongst older people but, despite being common, they can be essential for many people who have painful joints, like Pat, or balance problems. There are lots of different types and you can choose from wood or metal. You can also choose from different handle styles – this is ideal for people like Pat who may have difficulty gripping due to arthritis. It’s important to ensure your stick is set to the right height, so get your OT or physiotherapist to help with this.”
"Another common daily living aid that many people may have seen before – grab rails. Using a grab rail in and around the home can help provide a hand-hold for people who have balance problems, fatigue or pain in the muscles and joints. There are lots of different styles (curved, straight, wavy), sizes and materials available (plastic coated and metal). There are even travel-friendly, portable ones that can be used in holiday accommodation. Pat doesn’t say where his rails are fitted, but grab rails are ideal to use:
Grab rails are versatile and a great addition to the home if you have mobility difficulties, but they must be in the right locations and set at the correct angles to assist you, and they MUST be securely fitted – most need to be screw fixed to solid walls or surfaces.”
“Pat’s painful knees and hips make bending difficult and painful for him. There are special furniture raisers available to increase the height of dining chairs, armchairs, and even your bed! These are usually made from plastic or wood and there are lots of options available to suit different pieces of furniture. Raising the height of a seat or bed reduces the strain on Pat’s knees when transferring to and from sitting to standing, giving him some relief from his chronic pain. Pat may find that Rise and Recline Chairs are even easier for him - this would allow him to simply press a button to make the chair gently raise him to his feet."
“Some people with mobility problems find that using their standard toilet becomes a challenge, or may increase their likelihood of having a fall. Using the toilet is such a private part of life, so it can be difficult for people to admit that they’re having difficulties, and they may struggle unnecessarily.
There are lots of types of toileting aids available and a Toilet Frame is often a great assistance. This is a simple, height-adjustable (sometimes width-adjustable) metal frame that surrounds the toilet, with comfortable, integral handles for the user to push themselves up from sitting or steady themselves as they sit down.
A raised toilet seat can reduce strain on the knees when getting on and off the toilet, and reduce the risk of you dropping as you sit, making use of the toilet less painful and reducing the risk of falls. This solution may not be right for everyone, but there is usually a daily living aid to help you – so speak to your Occupational Therapist if toileting is becoming difficult, or get in touch with our Expert Advice Team.”
“For someone who has arthritic hands or fingers, opening jars and bottles is often difficult and painful. There are lots of different openers to try, which may make this simple task easier. Some have large or built-up handles that mean less of a tight grip is required, which may be less painful or easier for some people.
There are many types to choose from, such as jar and bottle openers, non-slip openers, or adjustable openers with long handles. If you need advice on which type of jar or bottle opener may be most suitable for you, contact our Expert Advice Team.
I think Pat may benefit from this type of daily living aid, as it may help him become more independent in the kitchen. There are lots of other types of food preparation aids that could help him too, such as adapted cutlery, peelers, food preparation boards and easy grip knives.”
“Lots of people use ‘grabber sticks’ – these are traditionally known as litter pickers but are great for use around the home too! Our Combi-Grabber is specifically designed to pick up a variety of objects. It has a long handle so you don’t need to bend as much to pick things up off the floor, and you can reach objects without stretching or having to climb on a step. Even though the ‘jaws’ are non-slip, so they hold objects securely, be aware not to pick up items that are too heavy for you to move or control with the grabber device.”
If you are interested in equipment to help improve your mobility or independence, but don’t know how to find out what you need, Sharon has some advice for you.
“It’s so important to find the right equipment to suit your needs. You may be entitled to receive larger pieces of equipment on loan from your local authority. Speak to your local social services department and explain what you think you need help with. Ask for an assessment from an Occupational Therapist (OT). If you are eligible for an assessment, an OT is likely to visit your home and find out what you are having difficulty with. You may have to wait a little while for this depending on which area you live in.
"An OT will observe you doing daily tasks and may be able to suggest alternative ways of doing things that you’ve never considered, which may make the tasks easier. They may also be able to suggest some daily living aids or community equipment that may help. Some of this equipment may be provided by the Local Authority for you to use.
"Alternatively, you could contact our Expert Advice Team. We are a team of OTs and OT Assistants who know daily living aids really well! We can talk to you about your difficulties over the phone or by email, and we may be able to recommend products to you that you can purchase yourself. We never pressure anyone, and we are always honest about the options available to you. If you would like to see or try products before you buy, we may be able to recommend some local retailers in our trusted network that you can visit.”
Thank you to Pat for giving us an honest account of his life with rheumatoid arthritis. If you are concerned you may have rheumatoid arthritis symptoms or need support in managing your condition, Versus Arthritis may be able to help you.
If you are looking for more help and advice on what rheumatoid arthritis equipment is best for you, we provide an excellent service at Healthcare Pro. If you have any other questions about your condition, any treatment you could have, or our household aids in our stock that may help you, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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