Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis can be daunting at times especially in the workplace, driving your car, and doing household chores.
In the office there are several things you can do to make life at work more comfortable for you. Following are some suggestions for rearranging your office.
In the office
-Keep all supplies within easy reach
-Have an adjustable chair
-Use a lateral filing cabinet beside your desk to avoid reaching
-Install a glare-proof screen on your computer monitor; causing less eye strain
-Use a footrest to keep feet elevated
-Install wrist rests on your keyboard to make typing easier.
With these things in place your office should be more comfortable for you.
In the car
Driving a car can also present problems for the patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Here are some suggestions that should make driving easier.
-Installing grab bars on the roof to help you get in and out of the car
-Power steering, power seats, power windows all benefit the person with rheumatoid arthritis
-Adjustable head rests, power steering, cruise control and a tilt steering wheel
-Use a wide-angle mirror to avoid straining your neck
-Install lever type handles for opening the car doors
-A key holder will make turning the key easier and prevent pain in the fingers
-When taking a long trip, stop the car and get out to stretch your body from time to time.
In the Kitchen
Preparing meals ahead of time can prevent a lot of pressure at meal time. Of course, that is not always possible, so you should allow yourself plenty of time to prepare a meal.
-Use disposable aluminum pans; or you can use the same pans for cooking and serving to make cleanup easier
-Use foil to line pans for easier cleaning
-Store heavy appliances within easy reach
-A microwave oven, electric can openers, dishwasher, blenders, food processors, all make life easier
-Store most often used dishes on shelves where you won't have to reach
-Sit on a stool while preparing food at the counter, or sit at the table to chop vegetables
-If you have to transport items to another room, use a wheeled cart.
Doing the household chores
Trying to clean the whole house in one day is not a good idea. Make the heavy traffic areas a priority. Designate the heavy chores which need to be done to someone else. Break up the workload; do some vacuuming today, and leave cleaning the bathrooms for tomorrow. Doing only one major task per day is enough. This way you will not be expending all of your energy in one day.
Here are a few helpful tips that you might try when doing your household chores.
-When sorting clean laundry, sit rather than stand
-Purchase a rolling laundry cart on wheels. This is much easier than carrying a full load of laundry
-Separate light and dark loads of laundry into two different baskets
-Store cleaning supplies both upstairs and downstairs for convenience if you live in a two- story house
-When cleaning tiles in the bathroom, use a mildew remover, eliminating the need to scrub
-Use a mop with a long handle to clean the floors. This will save you from bending to get the job done
-Letting your dishes air dry saves time. If you own a dishwasher, this is done for you.
With some of these helpful solutions in place you should find that your environment in your office and home is somewhat improved and is a place where you enjoy spending your time.
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