Living with arthritis can make everyday activities more challenging for some. Tasks that once felt simple, like getting dressed, preparing meals, working, driving, or enjoying hobbies, can become painful, tiring, or difficult to manage.
This is where occupational therapy can help.
Occupational Therapist’s (OT’s) work with people to find practical ways to make everyday activities easier, safer, and more comfortable. They can help you manage the impact of arthritis while supporting your independence and helping you continue doing the things that are important to you.
What does an OT do?
An OT looks at how your arthritis affects your daily life, not just your joints or symptoms. They can work with you to understand:
- Which activities are causing pain or difficulty.
- How arthritis is affecting your energy and fatigue.
- Whether you are having difficulty with grip, strength, or movement.
- How you manage tasks at home, work, or in the community.
- Which activities are most important to you.
- What changes could make everyday tasks easier.
You can work with an OT to develop practical strategies that fit into your lifestyle.
Making Everyday Tasks Easier
Arthritis can make everyday activities such as opening jars, dressing, showering, cooking or cleaning more difficult. An OT can show you different ways to approach these tasks to reduce strain on your joints.
For example, they may suggest:
- Changing the way you hold or carry an object.
- Using both hands instead of one when appropriate.
- Taking regular breaks during activities.
- Rearranging frequently used items so they are easier to reach.
- Using equipment or assistive devices to reduce the effort required.
- Breaking larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
Sometimes a small change in the way you complete a task can make a surprisingly big difference.
Joint Protection Strategies
Joint protection is an important part of managing arthritis. The aim isn’t to stop using your joints, but to find ways to reduce unnecessary stress and strain while continuing to stay active.
An OT may teach you strategies such as:
- Avoid prolonged gripping: Holding onto objects tightly for long periods can place additional stress on the small joints of the hands. Using larger handles or adapted equipment may make tasks easier.
- Use larger, stronger joints when possible: For some activities, using your forearms or palms rather than your fingers can reduce strain on smaller joints.
- Reduce unnecessary lifting: Instead of lifting a heavy object, consider whether it can be slid, pushed or carried in a way that requires less effort.
- Change positions regularly: Staying in one position for too long can contribute to stiffness and discomfort. Changing position and taking movement breaks throughout the day can help.
Assistive Devices and Equipment
There are many products designed to make everyday activities easier for people with arthritis. Depending on your needs, an OT may recommend equipment such as:
- Easy-grip kitchen utensils.
- Jar and bottle openers.
- Electric can openers.
- Kettle tippers.
- Dressing aids.
- Long-handled shoehorns.
- Bathroom equipment.
- Non-slip mats.
- Reaching aids.
- Ergonomic tools for work or hobbies.
The goal isn’t to use equipment for everything. Instead, the right assistive device can help you complete a task that has become difficult, while reducing pain, fatigue, or strain.
Making Your Home Work for You
Your home environment can have a big impact on how easily you manage everyday activities. An OT can assess your home and suggest practical changes. For example, they may recommend:
- Moving frequently used items to an easier-to-reach height.
- Changing the layout of your kitchen.
- Adding equipment to make the bathroom safer.
- Improving access to cupboards or storage areas.
- Using supportive seating for tasks that require standing.
- Reducing the need to bend, stretch or reach.
These changes can help conserve energy and make everyday routines more manageable.
Managing Fatigue
Fatigue is a common and often overlooked part of living with arthritis. You may find that everyday activities take more energy than they used to, or that you have enough energy for some activities but not others. An OT can help you develop strategies for managing your energy throughout the day. One approach is pacing; this is balancing activity with rest rather than pushing yourself until you are exhausted.
This might mean:
- Planning demanding activities for times when you have more energy.
- Taking short breaks before you become exhausted.
- Spreading household tasks across several days.
- Sitting down for some activities.
- Prioritising the things that matter most to you.
Learning how to manage your energy can help you stay involved in the activities you enjoy.
Work and Arthritis
If arthritis is affecting your ability to work, an OT can help identify ways to make your work environment and tasks more manageable.
They may suggest changes such as:
- Adjusting your workstation.
- Changing how you perform repetitive tasks.
- Using ergonomic equipment.
- Taking regular movement breaks.
- Modifying tasks where possible.
- Finding ways to reduce strain on painful joints.
The aim is to help you continue working safely and comfortably while managing the challenges arthritis may present.
Staying Independent
One of the most important roles of occupational therapy is helping you maintain independence. Needing some assistance with an activity doesn’t mean you have to give up doing it altogether. Sometimes the solution is simply finding a different way to do it.
Whether it’s preparing your favourite meal, gardening, getting dressed, working, caring for your family or enjoying a hobby, an OT can help you explore ways to keep doing the things that are important to you.
When Should You See an OT?
You don’t need to wait until an activity becomes impossible before seeking help. Consider speaking with an OT if you are:
- Finding everyday activities increasingly difficult.
- Experiencing pain during particular tasks.
- Struggling with grip or hand function.
- Feeling fatigued by everyday activities.
- Having difficulty managing at work or home.
- Avoiding activities you enjoy because of arthritis.
- Looking for equipment or assistive devices.
- Wanting to make your home environment easier to manage.
Getting advice early may help you find strategies before a problem becomes more difficult to manage.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Occupational therapy isn’t about telling you what you can’t do. It’s about finding ways to help you keep doing the things that matter to you.
Whether it’s changing the way you complete a task, using an assistive device, modifying your environment or learning how to better manage your energy, small adjustments can make everyday life more comfortable and manageable. If arthritis is making everyday activities harder, an OT can help you find practical solutions that work for you, your body, and your lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
- Occupational therapy focuses on helping you manage everyday activities affected by arthritis.
- OT’s can provide strategies for joint protection, fatigue management and pain reduction during activities.
- Assistive devices can make tasks such as cooking, dressing, and household activities easier.
- Your home or workplace can often be adapted to reduce strain and improve independence.
- You don’t have to give up the activities you enjoy. An OT can help you find different ways to keep doing them.
Further reading & resources
References:
- The Arthritis Foundation. Occupational Therapy for Arthritis. Available from: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/physical-therapies/occupational-therapy-for-arthritis
- Arthritis Australia. My RA. Occupational Therapy. Available from: https://myra.org.au/article/tests-treatments-physical-therapy/occupational-therapy
- Arthritis Australia. My OA. Occupational Therapist. Available from: https://myoa.org.au/article/your-healthcare-team-allied-health-professionals-occupational-therapist/occupational
