Expert Advice: 8 Ways to Support a Loved One with Arthritis

Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from arthritis, which can change their lives. The pain and restrictions caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other type can be debilitating. Providing the appropriate support can significantly improve the quality of life for people who have a loved one with arthritis.

This article emphasizes providing mental, physical, and emotional support and offers helpful guidance to friends and family members. Compassionate assistance and an understanding of the difficulties associated with arthritis can enable people to manage their condition comfortably and confidently.

Read More: Supportive Footwear for Arthritis: 6 Orthopedic Shoes for Pain-Free Walking 

1. Educate Yourself

It is essential to comprehend arthritis to offer practical support. The condition known as arthritis damages your joints. Where two bones unite in your body is called a joint.

As you age, some joints deteriorate naturally. Following that typical, lifelong wear and tear, many people acquire arthritis. Specific forms of arthritis develop as a result of joint damage from injuries. Arthritis comes in different forms, each with unique symptoms and therapies. Arthritis comes in over a hundred varieties. Among the most prevalent kinds are: 

Osteoarthritis: Arthritis caused by wear and tear. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is an arthritis that develops when your immune system unintentionally damages your joints. 

Gout: A type of arthritis in which your joints develop jagged crystals of uric acid. 

Youth Arthritis: Arthritis affects children and adolescents under the age of sixteen.

Books, articles, and internet resources can help you learn more and improve your capacity to help others meaningfully. 

2. Offer Emotional Support

Due to persistent pain and limitations, arthritis can have a profound emotional impact, frequently resulting in emotions of frustration, loneliness, or even melancholy. Many people who have arthritis struggle with emotions like despair, frustration, and even hopelessness.

If you don’t address these emotional difficulties, they may lead to the emergence of anxiety and depression. Your loved one will feel much more heard and supported if you perform small acts of kindness, including listening without passing judgment.

Reminding them of their qualities or showcasing their accomplishments are examples of encouragement that can improve their mood. During difficult times, offering to participate in simple but enjoyable activities with them can also help them feel connected and supported.

Read More: Nurturing Elderly Parents: Balancing Health and Well-Being as Caregivers 

3. Assist with Daily Tasks

Even basic daily tasks can be difficult for people with arthritis because pain and stiffness frequently impair movement. However, if your arthritis is still in its early stages, you may be able to continue with your daily activities despite your symptoms.

However, your health may begin to impact your routine as it progresses. You may find it difficult to move or walk. You might not have enough energy to get everything done. Persistent pain and inflammation may impact your body, mind, and soul.

Additionally, some people may find it more difficult to use their hands. This may impact fine motor skills, grasp, and grip strength.

Cleaning the house, lugging groceries, and opening jars may all become physically demanding. By offering assistance with these chores, you can ease your loved one’s burdens and make their life simpler.

You can help with personal care, meal preparation, and driving to appointments if necessary. It is also considerate to promote their freedom while making work easier by using assistive gadgets like memory aids, ergonomic tools, or jar openers. 

4. Accommodate Physical Limitations

Joint discomfort, stiffness, and restricted movement can make daily tasks challenging for those with arthritis. Helping your loved one feel more at ease and self-sufficient requires making deliberate changes to the living space.

Installing grab bars for additional support, non-slip mats in bathrooms, and furniture at an easily accessible height are all things to consider. To minimize bending or stretching, put frequently used objects at waist height.

Ensure the lighting is bright enough to avoid mishaps and clear clutter to make room for broad, unhindered pathways. For someone with arthritis, these modifications can significantly simplify and secure their everyday life.

Read More: 10 Tips for Managing Arthritis Pain Without Medication 

5. Encourage Physical Activity

Physical activity is very crucial for managing arthritis and for maximizing mental and physical well-being. Frequent exercise can help regulate joint pain and swelling, reduce bone loss, and maintain the strength of the muscles surrounding afflicted joints. It also relieves stiffness and soreness and lubricates the joint’s cartilage.

Engage in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week or do anything that causes your heart rate to increase. At least twice a week, you should also do muscle-strengthening exercises or activities that require more effort from your muscles than usual.

Chair workouts and water aerobics might be especially beneficial for people with restricted mobility. Tell your loved one that even a little daily movement can significantly impact you. 

6. Provide Practical Support

An individual with arthritis can significantly benefit from practical support. Caregivers’ role is crucial in managing arthritis. They assist people in overcoming the difficulties associated with arthritis, from comprehending their needs to offering emotional support and encouragement.

When providing mobility help, caregivers must ensure the person with arthritis is safe. To prevent further harm, this may entail clearing possible obstructions from walking routes, ensuring the person is wearing suitable footwear, and being aware of how to properly assist with movements.

Since chronic pain or limited mobility can make transportation challenging, offer to drive your loved one to therapy sessions, doctor’s visits, or errands. Assisting with domestic chores like food shopping can help reduce physical strain and stress. To help them stick to their treatment plan, you can also help schedule appointments or organize prescriptions.

Read More: 7 Tips to Protect Your Joints and Prevent Osteoarthritis Progression 

7. Be a Good Listener

Being an active and sympathetic listener is one of the most beneficial methods to help someone with arthritis. Having someone who genuinely listens might help your loved one feel understood and valued, as chronic pain can be lonely.

To better understand the patient’s message, the listener may employ strategies including closely observing the patient’s behavior and body language. Additionally important are body language and nonverbal cues such as nodding, keeping eye contact, avoiding distractions, and keeping an alert posture.

Express understanding and acknowledge their sentiments to demonstrate empathy. Simple statements like “I’m here for you” or “That sounds tough” can go a long way toward establishing your concern and offering emotional support. 

8. Offer Social Support

Keeping up social ties is essential for everyone. Still, it’s even more critical for people with arthritis because of the limits and chronic pain that can cause depressive and lonely sentiments. By fostering opportunities for interaction, dialogue, and shared interests, social support helps lessen negative emotions.

Encourage your loved ones to participate in social activities, whether it’s a pastime they love, a family get-together, or a casual outing. If they are unable to attend group activities, consider paying them a regular visit, speaking with them over the phone, or engaging in online activities with them.

If you offer to go with them to social occasions or host informal get-togethers at your house, they may feel more at ease and included. By actively encouraging their social life, you can fight loneliness, improve their mood, and encourage a more optimistic perspective despite the difficulties of arthritis.

Read More: Daily Living Aids: 8 Essential Tools for Arthritis Management 

Conclusion 

The mental and physical health of your loved one with arthritis depends on your support. Everyday difficulties with arthritis can include pain management and adjusting to limited movement.

Your participation can significantly improve their quality of life by offering support, empathy, and valuable help. By assisting with chores that they find challenging, providing emotional support, or just listening, you can help them feel secure and at ease.

Since each person’s experience with arthritis can be different, it’s essential to keep learning about the condition and how you can support your loved one. By being knowledgeable and understanding, you enable them to manage their arthritis better and experience a sense of togetherness.