Rule number one: Don’t push through the pain. “Pain should be respected and unchallenged,” says John Indalecio, MOTR/L, CHT, an occupational therapist who specializes in hand therapy at Orthopedic ONE in Columbus, Ohio. A better choice is to use RA-friendly tools and gadgets to do the work for you, which eases strain on your joints. Specific products have received the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Commendation — which means they have been tested and approved for people with arthritis.
Easy-to-Use Products for Living With RA
Try these handy gadgets to help you accomplish daily tasks at home, work, and beyond.
1. HandyBar
Climbing in and out of a car can be difficult if RA affects your knees, hips, or spine. To make it easier on your lower body, try a product like the HandyBar by Stander. This lightweight device attaches to your car’s striker or door latch and provides an extra handle for leverage. Once you’ve used it, you can stash it in your purse or side-door compartment. (Bonus: It doubles as an emergency vehicle escape tool, complete with a window breaker and seat-belt cutter.)
2. Easy Action Scissors
Cutting paper and fabric can put a surprising amount of stress on your joints, particularly those in your thumbs. Fiskars Easy Action scissors have soft-grip handles and spring-action blades that open after each cut, reducing the effort it takes to cut something and easing the strain on your hands.
3. Playing Card Holder
RA-affected joints can get in the way of a long-lasting game of poker or spades. That’s where a lightweight playing card holder — which props up the cards in front of you — can be put to good use. AbleWare’s 15-inch playing card holder, which can also hold mahjong tiles, is a favorite among people with RA.
5. Bookrest Pillow
For the days when you just can’t put down that page-turner, a book rest — like the Peeramid bookrest by Hog Wild — can be a lifesaver. It’s also helpful for shorter reading sessions, so you don’t tire out your joints, says Indalecio, or stretch them out of alignment. Using a book rest to hold your books, tablets, or cell phone at the ideal height and angle can also help prevent neck and back pain, says Petros Efthimiou, MD, FACR, medical director of New York Rheumatology Care and clinical professor of medicine at Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados.
6. Automatic Potato Peeler
If repetitive peeling aggravates joint discomfort and makes you want to swear off cooking entirely, consider buying a kitchen gadget like the Starfrit Rotato Express Automatic Potato Peeler. To use, just place a fruit or vegetable on the gadget’s spiky base, plug in the device, and it’ll rotate against the blade arm for a quick, efficient peeling.
7. PopSocket
Using your cell phone regularly can strain the small joints in your hands and fingers. A PopSocket is an accessory that attaches to the back of your phone, allowing you to hold on to it with ease, making tasks like texting and taking photos easier. It can even be used to prop up your phone so you can read or watch videos without having to constantly hold it in your hand. An alternative known as a ring holder functions just like a PopSocket but it has a lower profile and slips easily over your finger, eliminating any need to grasp, adds Indalecio.
8. Non-Slip Mats
These mats can hold cups and plates in place with greater stability. You can also open jars with ease by placing a mat underneath the jar and using a specially designed jar opener to remove the top. There are a range of other products that make gripping things easier, such as cupholders, floor mats, and special tape to wrap around anything from utensils to walking-stick handles.
9. Bottle Openers
In particular, the Jokari bottle opener is an all-purpose tool Indalecio recommends to help protect the joints. Besides being able to open everything from toothpaste tubes to soda cans, the pointy end of the device can remove the tight plastic safety wrapping around caps and lids — a safer alternative to a sharp blade.
Put safety first — consider only those products that you can use as intended comfortably.Avoid anything heavy — like cast iron pots or ceramic bowls — which may be difficult to use.Think about texture — for example, glassware that has a bumpy exterior may be easier to grasp and hold on to than a smooth surface.Consider ease of use — products, for example, that have flip tops, zippers, or large, easy-to-open lids.Look for products that don’t require much upkeep or maintenance.
When in doubt, look for the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Commendation when you’re shopping for RA-friendly products to ensure that what you’re buying has been tested and approved for use by people who have arthritis. If you’re not sure where to start, consider seeing an occupational therapist who can address your individual needs and make recommendations that will best suit you.
