Affecting more than 3,8 million Australians, arthritis is considered as one of the main reasons for disability in Australia. This is a condition that affects people of all ages, but people over the age of 65 are usually more likely to develop some from of arthritis. There are over 100 known types of arthritis and all of them cause pain the the joints and reduced mobility which can considerably affect a person’s quality of life. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most prevalent forms of arthritis and they affect the joints in very different ways.
People who suffer from osteoarthritis (OA) have difficultly moving their joints and as the condition progresses they may experience sever pain when making even a slight leg or arm movement. OA can be described as a sever damaged to the cartilage (protective tissue) inside the joints which leads to pain and stiffness. Another common symptom is swelling around the joint followed by a grating sensation when you try to move your joints. Unlike OA which only affects the joints, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect other organs as well. It’s an autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune system begins to attack healthy tissue, primarily the synovium (protective lining) of the joints causing inflammation. As the disease progresses, constant inflammation will result in permanent inflammation of the joints and their surrounding tissue.
Unfortunately, modern medicine still hasn’t found a cure for arthritis but with proper treatment and the use independent living aids you can manage the symptoms and lead a more independent life. When joint pain makes it difficult to do simple activities like walking, preparing food and taking a bath, don’t let that stop you from doing your everyday chores. Staying active and doing simple exercises each day can considerably alleviate joint pain and other arthritis symptoms. Furthermore, there are many different types of independent living aids that can make accomplishing daily chores and tasks a lot easier.
As mentioned before arthritis is a painful condition that can affect every aspect of your everyday life. Due to pain and reduce mobility activities that you used to enjoy may turn into a tedious chore. For instance, the art of preparing delicious meals for your family can become a difficult task that you no longer enjoy. Well, thanks to the smart design of kitchen aids cooking can once again be a fun and enjoyable activity. Some of the most commonly used kitchen aids include bottle openers, meal trolleys, feeding cups and can openers.
While kitchen aids have the purpose to facilitate the process of preparing food, bed and mattress aids, as their name implies are designed to make sleeping a lot more enjoyable. Falling asleep can be a challenge when you have joint pain and stiffness. Mattress aids like cushioned mattress covers and pillows have the purpose to reduce pressure points and provide pain relief. Bed aids, on the other hand are deigned to make getting in and out of bed easier and less painful. The popular bed aids include pillow lifts, height adjustable beds, overbed tables and bed poles.
There is no denying that living with arthritis is a challenge, but with the right arthritis aids and the willpower to stay active you can minimise the effects of the disease and lead an independent and fulfilling life.