If someone in your life has arthritis, there are many ways you can make things easier and lift his or her spirits. Here are some suggestions:
1) Learn about arthritis
Your friend will appreciate not having to explain every detail if you take the time to study up on her condition. You’ll have a better understanding of what she is going through and what her treatment plan is trying to accomplish, if you take the time to learn about arthritis.
2) Talk about it
Like it or not, arthritis is a permanent part of your friend’s life. Talking about how she feels, both emotionally and physically, will give you insight into what she deals with. This can help you be a better friend. Give her the chance to talk and actively listen to what she tells you.
3) Participate
Whether it’s learning to give an injection in case your friend or loved one needs help with medication at home, or joining in during an exercise session, your participation can turn an unpleasant or tedious task into a social activity.
This goes for eating togethe,r as well. If you know your friend loves a certain food that makes her inflammation worse, choose not to eat that food in front of her.
4) Go slow
Arthritis causes inflammation in joints that often makes movement painful. This may translate to moving more slowly than normal. When you are with your friend, be sure to let her set the pace for walking and other activities.
5) Pay attention
Learning to pay attention to how your friend is doing on a given day may take some practice, but it will be worth the effort. Learn to judge when you friend is up to a task and when she would appreciate a helping hand.
Arthritis can make simple things like turning a door knob or zipping a zipper into a painful trial. As you spend time with your friend, watch for signs that today is a day when extra help will be welcome, like a pained expression or needing more tries than usual to get the job done.
Also, be sure to think before you hand anything to your friend. If her hands are sore or swollen, something that feels light to you may be too heavy for her to hold.
6) Pitch in to help
Offering to “do something” is a nice gesture. But it puts the burden of asking for help back on your friend. Instead, pick something you know you can do, like cleaning the house or picking up groceries when you are at the store, and just do it. If you’re making dinner, make a double batch and drop it off so she doesn’t have to cook that night.
7) Give her a break
Arthritis can make sleeping difficult. And being in pain can be exhausting. When you make plans, be sure to allow time for breaks so both of you can sit, rest and enjoy your time together.
Offer to give her an afternoon to herself by picking up her kids from school or taking on another activity for a day. Or pick her up to shop for groceries together. Then unload the car and put things away, to save her from the heavy lifting.
If the joints in your friend’s hands are affected, offer to break the seals on new jars before you put them in the refrigerator.
8) Add warmth
Just because you are comfortable doesn’t mean your friend is. Cold can make inflamed joints achy. So take into account how warm she will be when you plan activities, and bring along portable heat packs or an extra sweater, just in case.
9) Offer encouragement
If your friend is exploring benefits or treatment options, offer to go to appointments with her as an extra ear and someone to discuss options with after a meeting. Help her follow her treatment plan by joining in with exercise or reminding her to take medications if she is inclined to forget.
10) Be patient
Life with arthritis often moves slower than you or your friend might like. Don’t try to rush her to participate faster than she is able.
And remember if she seems grouchy or uncooperative that she might be reacting to pain that you can’t see. Be flexible to adjust your plans if she is having a flare up, or just isn’t up to doing what you had planned.
If you have questions about arthritis and how you can help, talk to your health care provider.
Sources:
Health. 12 Nice Things You Can Do for Someone in Pain. Anne Harding. Web. May 27, 2015.
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20489189,00.html
Arthritis Research UK. Caring for a person with arthritis. Web. May 27, 2015.
http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/arthritis-and-d...
Home Instead Senior Care. Caring and Arthritis. Web. May 27, 2015.
http://www.homeinstead.com.au/resources/documents/CaringandArthritis-web...
Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior. 13 Way to Help People Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Kelly Young. Web. May 27, 2015.
http://rawarrior.com/13-ways-to-help-people-living-with-rheumatoid-arthr...
Reviewed May 28, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith