Osteoarthritis: Tips for Daily Living

Making a few changes in your daily life can reduce stress on your joints. This helps protect the joints from further damage.

Your surroundings

Make your home work for you:

• Arrange cupboards, closets, desks, and drawers to reduce reaching and bending.

• Arrange furniture to make it safer and easier to get around.

• Secure or remove rugs, power cords, and other items that might make you slip or trip.

Think ahead

Lift items with both hands.

Plan in advance:

• Combine errands so that you make fewer trips up and down stairs.

• Break up packages so that you carry less weight with each trip. For example, ask cashiers to use more bags for your groceries.

• If you need help with chores or errands, try to arrange for it in advance.

• If you need to lift something heavy, ask for help.

• Try to use other parts of your body if you have pain in certain joints.

Use what’s available

To rest your hands, back, and neck:

• Make sure that knives are sharp.

• Use a "reacher" or “grasper” to reach and grab.

• Use soap-on-a-rope and a long-handled scrubber in the shower or bath.

To rest your knees, hips, and lower back:

• Wear shoes that feel good, fit well, and provide good support.

• Choose chairs with firm seats and armrests.

Assistive devices

Devices are available to help you:

• In the kitchen, use lightweight dishes, cookware, and bakeware.

• Attach larger handles to keys.

• Use helpful gripping devices for opening jars. 

• For gardening, use a rolling bench to sit on or to hold your tools. Use tools with padded handles.

• In the bathroom, try using installed grab bars, a raised toilet seat, or a shower seat.

• A cane, brace, or walker may help you walk more easily. Make sure that it’s correctly fitted and that you’re trained to use it.