Arthritis at Home: Practical Equipment for Easier Everyday Tasks

Arthritis can make ordinary tasks surprisingly demanding. Opening a jar, fastening a button, pulling on socks, getting up from a chair or standing in the shower may require more grip, twisting, bending or joint movement than is comfortable.

Useful equipment does not treat arthritis, but it can reduce the amount of force, reach or repetition needed to get everyday jobs done. The best choices depend on which joints are affected, how symptoms vary through the day and what tasks are actually causing difficulty.

Start with the task, not the diagnosis

Arthritis is not one single experience. Hand pain may make twisting and pinching difficult; hip or knee stiffness may make low chairs and toilets harder to use; shoulder or back discomfort may make reaching feet or high shelves awkward.

A practical way to choose equipment is to ask: what movement is causing the problem? Then look for an aid that reduces that specific demand.

Opening jars and bottles with less grip force

Twisting a tight lid combines grip strength with wrist rotation, which can be uncomfortable when the fingers, thumb or wrist are affected.

The Goldfern GripMate Jar and Bottle Opener Set combines a non-slip mat with multi-size opening tools so the container and lid can both be controlled with less direct squeezing. A table-top jar opener is another option when stabilising the jar itself is difficult.

For vacuum-sealed jars, a simple seal-release jar opener can reduce the force needed before the lid is twisted.

Kitchen tools with broader handles

Thin utensils can concentrate force through sore finger joints. Broader, textured handles can be easier to control with the whole hand.

MoveSmart's ergonomic hand-supported peeler reduces reliance on a narrow pinch grip, while the Easy Grip Vegetable Peeler Set uses larger soft-textured handles for peeling, grating and shredding.

The aim is not to eliminate grip altogether, but to reduce how hard the hand has to squeeze and how much the wrist has to work.

Buttons, zips and dressing

Small fasteners can be frustrating when finger movement, pinch strength or dexterity is reduced. The Easy Grip Button Hook Aid combines a button hook with a zipper pull and a broad ribbed handle.

For lower-body dressing, the Sock Assist Tool can help pull a sock over the foot without reaching all the way down, while the 3-in-1 Long Handle Shoe Horn and Dressing Aid extends from about 57 to 90 cm and can assist with shoes, clothing and sock removal.

A Deluxe Reacher can also reduce repeated bending and stretching for clothes, household items and light objects.

Bathroom support when standing or transfers are harder

Bathrooms combine wet surfaces with repeated standing, turning and lowering movements. If arthritis in the knees, hips, ankles or spine makes those movements difficult, reducing the amount of unsupported standing can be useful.

A height-adjustable shower chair provides a seated option for washing. Arm supports can also give the user something substantial to push from when standing, provided the chair is correctly set up and appropriate for the person.

A free-standing toilet surround can provide arm support around the toilet without permanently fixing rails to the wall. Seat height and width still need to suit the user and the room.

For more detail, see the Bathroom Safety Guide and Toilet Aids Guide.

Chairs, standing and mobility

When pain or stiffness makes it hard to rise from a low seat, simply choosing a firmer or higher chair can sometimes make a meaningful difference. A correctly sized power lift recliner may be useful when standing from a conventional lounge chair requires too much effort.

The chair still needs to fit properly. Seat height, depth and width matter just as much as the lift mechanism. See the Lift Chair Buying Guide for the main measurements to check.

If arthritis affects walking endurance or confidence, a walking stick, walker or rollator may be worth considering. The correct aid depends on balance, upper-body strength, gait and the environment, so professional assessment is sensible where walking has changed substantially. Our Walker Buying Guide explains the main categories.

Arthritis socks and gentle compression

The IMAK Compression Arthritis Socks use mild compression and soft breathable fabric for everyday foot comfort where aching, stiffness or mild swelling are present.

They are not medical-grade graduated compression stockings. People with diabetes, reduced sensation, significant circulation problems or unexplained swelling should get appropriate health advice before using compression products.

Small changes can matter more than complicated equipment

Some of the most useful arthritis adaptations are simple: storing frequently used items between waist and shoulder height, using two hands for larger objects, choosing lightweight cookware, avoiding very low seating and keeping commonly used fasteners easy to access.

Equipment works best when it removes an unnecessary physical demand rather than adding another complicated task.

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment is useful for arthritis in the hands?

Jar openers, non-slip mats, broad-handled kitchen tools, button hooks and other aids that reduce pinch grip or twisting are often useful starting points.

Can a reacher help with arthritis?

Yes. A reacher can reduce bending and stretching when picking up light objects or reaching clothing and household items.

What can make putting on socks easier?

A sock aid can help guide the sock over the foot without requiring the same amount of bending or hand reach.

Are shower chairs only for people who cannot stand?

No. A shower chair can also be useful for someone who can stand but finds prolonged standing painful or tiring. It must still be stable and correctly sized.

Can a toilet surround help with arthritic knees or hips?

It can provide arm support for sitting and standing. Whether it is suitable depends on toilet height, user size, transfer technique and bathroom space.

Will a lift chair cure difficulty standing?

No. A lift chair is an assistive product, not a treatment. It can reduce the effort required to rise from a chair when correctly fitted.

Should I choose the largest or highest chair available?

No. Oversized or overly high seating can create other problems. Fit should be based on the person's dimensions and transfer needs.

Are compression socks suitable for everyone with arthritis?

No. Mild compression products may be comfortable for some people, but circulation problems, diabetes, reduced sensation or unexplained swelling warrant health-professional advice.

Do I need an occupational therapist for arthritis equipment?

Not for every simple daily-living aid, but an occupational therapist can be very helpful where pain, transfers, bathroom safety or several daily tasks are becoming difficult.

Does MoveSmart ship arthritis aids around New Zealand?

Many daily-living and bathroom aids can be shipped throughout New Zealand. Contact MoveSmart if you would like help narrowing down the right type of equipment.