Helpful gadgets if you’re living with arthritis Simple gadgets and devices can sometimes make it easier to perform daily activities, such as cooking, gardening, or even getting dressed. For example, people with limited movement might have an easier time using long-handled hooks when putting on socks and long-handled shoehorns for shoes. Also helpful are shoes that slip on or fasten with Velcro, pre-tied neckties, and garments with Velcro fasteners, zippers, or hooks and eyes instead of buttons. For other tasks, long-handled grippers are designed to grasp and retrieve out-of-reach objects. Rubber grips are available to help you get a better hold on faucets, pens, toothbrushes, and silverware. Ergonomic tools with long necks and comfortable grips are also useful. Pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online vendors stock a variety of aids for people with arthritis. The following will give you an idea of the broad array of tools available. Get your copy of Living Well with Osteoarthritis: A guide to relieving the pain and caring for your joints   This report focuses primarily on osteoarthritis — the most common type of arthritis — which affects 27 million Americans. Many people believe it’s a crippling and inevitable part of growing old. But things are changing. Treatments are better, and plenty of people age well without much arthritis. If you have osteoarthritis, you can take steps to protect your joints, reduce discomfort, and improve mobility — all of which are detailed in this Special Health Report, Living Well with Osteoarthritis: A guide to relieving the pain and caring for your joints. If you don't have osteoarthritis, the report offers strategies for preventing it. In the kitchen mini chopper electric can opener wall-mounted jar opener small, nonskid gripper mats to increase traction when opening jars and to place under bowls and other items to prevent slippage utensils with built-up, padded handles loop or spring-loaded scissors cheese slicer bottle brush, for washing cups and glasses cookbook stand In the bathroom electric toothbrush dental floss holder electric razor soap-on-a-rope or mitts to hold soap in the shower brushes or combs with long handles raised toilet seat long-handled brush to clean the bathtub In the yard and garden kneeler and seat ergonomic tools (with long necks and comfortable grips) motor-driven hose reel angled shovel hose caddy raised garden beds low-maintenance plants carpenter's apron with several pock-ets for carrying frequently used tools Throughout your home and car key turners doorknob turners light switch adapters lightweight vacuum cleaner scissors with padded handles or swivel blades (loop or spring-loaded) rollerball or gel pens, pencils with padded grips To learn more about how to live an active life with arthritis, check out Living Well with Osteoarthritis, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.  Image: simpson33/Getty Images Share this story:

4 ways exercise helps arthritis Even the healthiest people can find it hard to stick with an exercise regimen — and if you suffer from the joint pain of arthritis, moving your body may be the last thing you want to think about. But regular exercise not only helps maintain joint function, it also relieves stiffness and reduces pain and fatigue. If you have arthritis, you want to be sure your exercise routine has these goals in mind: A better range of motion (improved joint mobility and flexibility). To increase your range of motion, move a joint as far as it can go and then try to push a little farther. These exercises can be done any time, even when your joints are painful or swollen, as long as you do them gently. Stronger muscles (through resistance training). Fancy equipment isn't needed. You can use your own body weight as resistance to build muscle. For example, this simple exercise can help ease the strain on your knees by strengthening your thigh muscles: Sit in a chair. Now lean forward and stand up by using only your thigh muscles (use your arms for balance only). Stand a moment, then sit back down, using only your thigh muscles. Better endurance. Aerobic exercise — such as walking, swimming, and bicycling — strengthens your heart and lungs and thereby increases endurance and overall health. Stick to activities that don't jar your joints, and avoid high-impact activities such as jogging. If you're having a flare-up of symptoms, wait until it subsides before doing endurance exercises. Better balance. There are simple ways to work on balance. For example, stand with your weight on both feet. Then try lifting one foot while you balance on the other foot for 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Over time, work your way up to 30 seconds on each foot. Yoga and tai chi are also good for balance. To learn more about how to live an active life with arthritis, check out Living Well with Osteoarthritis, from Harvard Medical School.  Image: Kanawa_Studio/Getty Images Share this story:

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Living Well with Osteoarthritis: A guide to relieving the pain and caring for your joints Featured content: • When joints cause pain • What is osteoarthritis? • Diagnosing osteoarthritis • Treating osteoarthritis without surgery • Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis • SPECIAL SECTION • Other types of arthritis Click here to read more »