Q: I would like to get a grab bar installed for my bathroom. What do you suggest?

A: First of all, it is recommended that you get an assessment done by an occupational therapist to determine the most appropriate bar for you to use. Since this assessment would be best done in your home environment, it would be advised that you contact The Arthritis Society about having a bathroom assessment. You can reach them at 646-6309 (in London) or by calling 1-800-321-1433.

Q: I am having difficulty wiping myself after I use the washroom because of my limited arm movement. Do you have any suggestions?

A: This is a very common problem for people with arthritis. One suggestion is to use a pair of salad tongs to hold the toilet paper and to give you a better reach. If this does not work for you and you continue to have problems, please contact your doctor for a referral to an occupational therapist.

Q: I am going to the pool program, which I really enjoy, but I find it really hard to put my bathing suit on, as my hands are so weak and painful. Do you have any suggestions?

A: You may want to try a dressing stick or reacher to help pull your bathing suit on. You may also want to sew tabs (or have someone sew them for you) onto the suit to help pull it up. If you have a sore arm or hand, always dress this side first and undress it last. Also, choose a bathing suit with large openings so that arms and legs can get in and out easily.

Q: I feel too embarrassed and upset to use assistive devices even though I know they would be helpful. How do I cope with this? Why do I feel like I'm giving in to my arthritis when I use a cane or wear my splints in public?

A: One of the biggest challenges faced by a person trying to cope with a chronic illness is accepting the condition. It is normal to want to be as mobile and independent as you were before your arthritis. Often people have difficulty using devices because it reminds them of the changes they have experienced and they will resist using devices that could be helpful. Could you think about using these devices in a different way? Instead of thinking about them as giving into your arthritis, can you regard them as a way of being as independent and as in control of your condition as possible? Can you think of these devices as a means of managing your arthritis instead of your arthritis managing you? It might be helpful to start with a device that will allow you to resume an activity that you haven't been able to participate in because of the pain or fatigue it has caused your joints (e.g. using built-up gardening tools that allow you to hoe and weed without stressing your hands or a jar opener installed under your counter so that you don't have to get someone to open jars for you everytime). See also our guide to assistive devices.