Arthritis can make everyday tasks challenging, but advancements in technology are providing new solutions to help manage pain and improve mobility. Assistive technology is transforming the way people live with arthritis. Join us as we dive into devices, tips, and resources to empower individuals in their journey toward better health.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It can affect people of all ages and is often characterized by stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. There are various types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most prevalent. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in affected joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in the joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and potential joint damage over time. Treatments are available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Arthritis Management

Assistive technology is crucial in managing arthritis by offering tools that alleviate pain and enhance mobility.

The Electronic Acupuncture Pen is designed to deliver targeted electrical stimulation to specific areas of the body. It features multiple interchangeable tips and adjustable intensity levels, this innovative device allows for personalized treatment.

Fingerless Arthritis Pain Relief Gloves provide targeted support and compression to help alleviate pain while allowing for full hand movement. Electric Heated Arthritis Gloves combine vibration and heat therapy to provide soothing relief for arthritis, offering a heated hand massage that helps reduce pain and improve circulation.

The TENS 7000 Digital TENS Unit, is an effective muscle stimulator that provides relief from arthritis-related pain in the back, shoulders, neck, hips, and other areas.

Adaptive Eating

Ergonomic utensils help minimize strain during meal preparation and prioritize comfort, making cooking more accessible. These types of utensils come in a variety of different forms.

They often feature soft, non-slip grips that allow for a more secure and comfortable hold or they may also have larger handles, which provide better leverage and control. Additionally, many ergonomic utensils are designed with angles and shapes that accommodate various gripping styles, ensuring users can maintain a natural hand position while cooking or eating. Be sure to check out our blogs, “‘Tis the Season for Festive Feasting!” and “AT for Your Holiday Meals,” which showcase a variety of helpful kitchen tools.

Mobility and Accessibility

Mobility tools help reduce pain and enhance stability, allowing users to navigate their environments more easily and safely, ultimately promoting greater independence in daily activities.

The Stander Bed Safety Step is designed to prevent falls and injuries while providing a secure way to safely step up and down from high beds or reach challenging areas. It has a sturdy foundation and non-slip surface to ensure stability for safety in your home.

The Ergobaum Ergonomic Crutch/Cane is a unique design that offers extra balance and support, making it easier for users to move around comfortably and safely. There is a video on how to use the Ergobaum cane.

Camino is a smart walker designed to improve everyday movement and mobility. It automatically detects when you’re going uphill, providing a helpful boost on flat surfaces and inclines, so you can walk less fatigued. It has gentle automatic braking on downhill slopes, you can confidently walk farther without needing to squeeze the brakes. Plus, the built-in lighting keeps you visible in low light, ensuring you’re never in the dark.

Smart home lighting for accessibility is crucial as it improves safety and independence for individuals with mobility challenges. There are various ways to incorporate smart lighting into your home, such as connecting your lights to Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control them with voice commands. You can also install motion-sensor lights that automatically turn on when you enter a room. Check out this video on a motion-activated light strip setup.

For more insights, check out Wirecutter’s blog on “The Best Smart Assistive Devices for People With Disabilities.”

Infrared Light Therapy

Infrared light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin, promoting healing and reducing pain and inflammation. By stimulating cellular activity and improving circulation, it helps alleviate muscle and joint discomfort. This non-invasive therapy can be used in clinics or at home, making it a popular choice for pain management and recovery.

Handheld Infrared Light Therapy Devices provide targeted relief for arthritis by using gentle heat and light to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote healing in affected joints. In contrast, Large Infrared Lamps can be used to provide full-body treatment.

Infrared Heating Pads offer soothing relief for arthritis by delivering deep, penetrating heat that helps relax muscles, reduce stiffness, and alleviate joint pain. There are a variety of heating pad sizes.

Wearable infrared therapy devices come in various wearable forms to help manage arthritis pain effectively. The portable design of these devices makes them perfect for individuals to continue their daily activities without interruption. Examples include infrared knee pads that target joint discomfort, wrist and hand therapy gloves that soothe pain and inflammation, and shoulder and back infrared heating pads that deliver soothing heat for relief. Smart infrared belts provide therapeutic warmth for chronic pain while allowing freedom of movement, while ankle and foot wraps help reduce swelling and improve circulation.

Infrared Body Massagers combine massage with heat therapy. Additionally, an infrared sauna blanket uses infrared heat to promote relaxation, detoxification, and pain relief, by the body enjoying the benefits of a sauna experience from the comfort of their own home.

Home and Personal Safety

Home and personal safety items for individuals with arthritis are designed to enhance comfort and prevent accidents in daily life.

Medical Care Alerts come in various forms to cater to individual preferences and needs. Traditional pendants are popular for their simplicity and ease of use, allowing users to easily activate the alert in case of an emergency. For those who may feel self-conscious about wearing an alert pendant, there are options disguised as stylish necklaces.

The SmartWatch PRO Medical Alert Watch is designed specifically for seniors. It includes features like fall detection, GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and step counting. The watch has a large, easy-to-read face, allowing users to request help by speaking directly into it. It costs $149.95, with optional 24/7 monitoring for $39.95/month. The dedicated call center is available year-round to assist whenever needed.

Amazon’s Alexa Emergency Assist feature provides quick access to emergency services through voice commands. By saying, “Alexa, call for help,” users can instantly connect with emergency responders, making getting help in critical situations easier. It can also recognize the sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and of shattering glass. This service is priced at $5.99/month for prime members and $7.99/month for nonprime members

Assistive technology and health management are vital for enhancing the lives of those with arthritis and other chronic conditions. Check out the Where It’s AT team’s previous diabetes management blog titled AT Solutions for Diabetes Management, and we’re excited to explore hypertension in an upcoming post. By embracing the support assistive tech brings, individuals can empower themselves to live more independently.