Tips
Car and Driving Tips
Easy Open. You can’t take the pain out of paying for gas, but you can make it less painful to pump it. Keep a disk-shaped, rubber jar opener in the car, then use it to twist off the gas cap. See more helpful tips for drivers.
Get a Grip. If you have trouble gripping a steering wheel or gear shift, use golf, baseball or weight-lifting gloves when you drive. See more helpful trips for drivers.
Bag it. One AT reader recommends placing a large trash bag in the car seat. Getting in and out is easier because the bag slides with you. Find more tips for getting in and out of a car.
Slide right in. It’s easier to move around in cars with vinyl or leather upholstery. If you have a car with cloth seats, consider putting in a vinyl seat covering.
Key Solution. If you have trouble turning your car key, try building it up with electrical tape or trade in your keys for a keyless fob and starter that remotely unlocks your car and starts the engine. See more helpful tips for drivers.
Pet Tips
Pet Cause. Having a pet may help you become more active. If you have a dog, take it for daily walks so you both will get some fresh air and exercise. See arthritis-friendly pet-care tips.
Household Tips
Easy dust it. To dust high and low places without bending and stooping, make a handy dust mop by stapling your dust rag to a gift-wrap tube. Find more tips for making housecleaning easier.
Tip for Tucking. When making your bed, use a wooden pizza paddle to help you tuck in sheets and blankets. See more tips for making your bed.
Make Your Bed. To make making your bed easier, use a large, lightweight bedspread or comforter that can be slipped easily over your sheets. Just smooth your sheets and throw the comforter over them. More tips for making your bed. Read past tips.
Double Duty. When cleaning house, give up that hard-to-grip dust rag. Instead, wear an old pair of gloves or socks on your hands for dusting.
Strategic storage. In a two-story house, stash a complete set of cleaning tools – including separate vacuum cleaners – on each floor. That way, you’ll always have supplies handy and won’t have to carry heavy equipment up and down stairs.
Kitchen/Cooking Tips
Get Cooking. On days that you feel like it cook double portions or even enough for the whole week. Then freeze and use when you’re not having a good day. See more kitchen tips.
Roll it! Use a pizza cutter to cut sandwiches, chicken breasts, lasagna and other foods. Hold it with both hands -- and roll. Check out more handy kitchen tools.
Loosen up. Use a nutcracker or long-handled pliers to loosen tightly sealed bottles. Read more kitchen tips.
Drip Dry. When washing dishes, use a rack to let them air dry. This saves you energy and saves your hands from having to maneuver a towel. Find more cleaning tips.
Open up. When buying milk, choose plastic containers that have twist-off tops, instead of cartons or bottles that have tops that need to be pried off.
Easier Meal Prep. Save time, effort and clean-up with one-pot meals. Stews, pasta dishes or chicken cooked with vegetables in a foil disposable pan or oven-baking bag can make easy meals with limited cleanup.
Shopping Tips
Paper or Plastic? At the supermarket, ask for paper bags rather than plastic. They can be carried more easily than plastic bags with handles. See more tips for (almost) pain-free shopping.
Picking a Mattress. Lie down on various mattresses while shopping so you can see how they feel when you are in the sleeping position. More tips to improve sleep.
Carry out. If carrying heavy groceries is a problem, remember that many stores will put your groceries into your car for you.
Stick with a list. To avoid retracing steps at the grocery, try to shop in familiar stores and visualize the store’s layout when preparing your grocery list. List items in order beginning where you will begin shopping. See more tips for (almost) pain-free shopping.
Bring your gloves. If you have Raynaud's syndrome, take a pair of gloves with you to the supermarket to slip on when you’re in the freezer or refrigerated sections.
Travel Tips
Travel Tip. When making hotel reservations, ask for a handicapped-accessible room. Many larger hotels now have such rooms, with showers, bathtubs, toilets, sinks and closets that are easier to access. Learn how to book the perfect room.
Fun and Leisure Tips
Game Time. If you have trouble holding and tossing a pair of dice, toss dice in a cup or mug and pour them out. Play online games – no dice required.
Self-Care Tips
Sing a Song. To reduce stress and ease pain, sing. Do it in the shower or in your car. Or head for a karaoke bar and belt out your favorite tunes. Learn how singing eases pain.
Calcium for Weight Loss? If you’re trying to shed those last few pounds, but seem to have hit that dreaded plateau, check the amount of calcium you’re getting. Learn about calcium’s surprising benefit.
Sleep Soundly. If you have trouble sleeping at night, avoid caffeinated beverages in the afternoon. Try herbal tea instead. Read more advice for a good night’s sleep.
Wear red. On days when you’re feeling sluggish, try wearing something colorful for an immediate pick-me-up. Find more tips to boost your energy level.
Sun Protection. If you find it hard to rub in sunscreen, look for spray-on versions that go on easy and dry in minutes. Find more sun protection tips.
Get a Handle on It. If a toothbrush is difficult to grip, try sliding the foam cylinder from a large sponge hair roller over the handle to make a more comfortable grip.
Straighten up. To boost your energy level, sit up straight. Slouching requires your muscles to work harder to hold up your body, and that can lead to fatigue. More energy-boosting tips.
Keep Your Cool. When the weather is hot, drink plenty of cool, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Stress Buster. To relieve job stress, take a break from work every 30 minutes. Go for a quick walk around the office, get a glass of water or do a few slow stretches to get your blood flowing. More energy-boosting tips.
Pop a peppermint. Feeling fatigued? Eat a mint. The scent of peppermint decreases fatigue by up to 25 percent, according to research. More energy-boosting tips.
Feel pretty. Although you may not feel like leaving the house, don't throw on those ratty old sweats; dress as if company may stop by. When you look good, you can feel good.
Do What You Love. If arthritis prevents you from doing a favorite activity, such as traveling, enjoy a modified version, such as visiting a local museum or taking in a foreign film.
Dressing and Grooming Tips
Easy-On Clothing. When shopping for clothing, look for pants, dresses and skirts that are lined. Lined clothes are easier to slip off and on. See more tips to get dressed easier.
Simple Slip-ons. If you find it difficult to tie sneakers, buy elastic laces and have a friend lace and tie them – once – turning your lace-up shoes into slip-ons. See more accessible clothing ideas.
Horn in. Use a long-handled shoehorn to help you put on tightly fitting shoes. Make one by taping a shoehorn to the end of a yardstick. Read more tips for getting dressed.
Sit and Shower. To avoid falls in the shower, sit on a waterproof chair. You can buy one at a medical supply store or use a sturdy lawn chair.
Wash Up. Instead of using a washcloth when bathing, use a shower mitt made of terry cloth or loofah. If you sew or know someone who does, make these mitts out of an old towel.
Easy Nail Care. To make trimming fingernails and toenails easier, soak hands and feet beforehand to soften nails.
Easier Perspiration Protection. If you find spray anti-perspirant cans difficult to use, try a stick or roll-on variety.
Tub Tip. If arthritis or recent surgery makes it difficult to get into and out of the bathtub, place a towel on the edge of the tub. Then sit on it and swivel and in out of the tub.
Entertaining
Potluck. If you’re having family or friends over for dinner, make the meal a potluck affair. Assign each guest a dish to bring so you won’t have to cook the whole meal.
More Tips
Lighten Your Load. Use a waist or fanny pack to carry keys, wallet or other necessities. Don’t pack so many items that the load becomes too heavy. Check out these joint-friendly accessories.
Take Gardening to New Heights. If you find it difficult to bend to work your garden, try a flower box or a raised flowerbed to eliminate stooping. See more gardening tips.
Write Your Blessings. Feeling down? Try counting your blessings. Better yet, write about them. Learn how to create a gratitude journal. Read past tips.
Simpler Sipping. If you have trouble holding a heavy drinking glass, try using long bendable straws that enable you to drink from a class without picking it up.
