Getting a hand of help, just to lift you up from a sitting position while struggling hard with joint pain, may bring some mental relief to you. Mind it - it's mental relief and not physical. You may only feel, "Ah, at least someone is there to help me." But for how long? One fine day your inner human ego will demand that you become independent like any other normal guy. And that day, you will come to realize the importance of assistive devices.
Arthritis has been known to be a problem since time immemorial. The condition, which may not have a definite cause, may become unmanageable. Under such circumstances, the only way out is to protect the structures that are left intact and to control the existing symptoms. Arthritis can cause even the simplest of the day to day activities to become a real headache. You may find buttoning of shirts, reaching for something high and standing up from a seated position extremely painful and difficult. Severe limitations become frustrating and rather challenging. As you know, necessity is the mother of invention and this is how man designed some assistive devices so as to enable him to stay independent forever.
The Aim of Assistive Devices
The main aim of an assistive device is to help individuals in carrying out their daily activities and to maintain their independence. These devices can help with problems of walking, standing, reaching, carrying and climbing stairs. Extending help in the above areas indirectly allows an individual not to use the affected joints too much, thereby providing relief to the same. These devices do not necessarily have to be special gadgets. Simple adjustments in the environment with the articles of daily use can also do wonders.
Making the Most Out of Assistive Devices
- Using Raised Toilet Seats: Raised toilet seats can take up the pressure from the knee joint during squatting. It is particularly used in osteoarthritic cases where the knee is the most vulnerable of all joints. The patients are advised to use western toilets more than the Indian ones.
- Using Bath Tub Benches: Bath tub benches made of non slippery materials can help in getting up more easily from a seated position. It is important that the bench is made as non slippery as possible or else the chances of slipping while getting up with supporting on the bench increases.
- Using Long Handled Brushes: Long handled brushes use less hand movements and less effort from the hand muscles. They are also easy to handle. Even electronic toothbrushes are used these days to reduce the workload.
- Wearing Clothes With Front Closures: Clothes with front closures allow the least combination of shoulder joint movements. This is helpful in polyarthritic cases where the shoulders also get involved.
- Wearing Shoes With Velcro Straps: Shoes with Velcro straps than the ones with laces save energy and more muscle and joint work which is important in arthritis as more movement can sometimes trigger the symptoms.
- Keeping Items in Easily Reachable Shelves: In the kitchen the frequently used items should be stocked in easily reachable shelves.
- Using Utensils With Soft Rubber Pads: Good grip and light weight utensils with soft rubber pads to hold them puts less stress on the hands.
- Equipping the Bathroom Area With Supporting Rails: In the bathroom, the area should be well equipped with several rails for support in case the person loses balance. There should be proper lighting to avoid any confusion.
- Keeping a Bedside Commode Ready: If access to the bathroom requires the person to climb stairs, then he should be provided with a bedside commode. Simultaneously a calling system can be provided to him so that he does not have to get up more often.
- Using a Walker or a Wheelchair: A walker or a wheelchair can be used by a severely disabled individual to move around.
- Using Leg Extenders: Leg extenders can be used in the office chairs, in the dining table or in any furniture to help lengthen the legs.
- Using Reach Extenders: Reach extenders with graspers on the other side can be used to reach for high areas.
- Using Hands Free Handsets: Use of hands free handsets or mobile phones can relieve some amount of discomfort.
- Using Knee Pads: Knee pads or cushions can be used when an individual is required to kneel for long hours.
As you can now see, you are not required to be like a robotic man with all those machines attached to your body. It is through simple environmental modifications that you can really enhance the quality of your life. If after all these changes, you still wish to get pampered by persons around you, then you are always welcome.
