| Rheumatoid arthritis defies race, ethnic groups and | | | | time should be given to them to perform and finish |
| age. This form of arthritis can affect people of all ages | | | | each task calmly. Provide them items that will make |
| including children and young adults. However, the | | | | their task easier like providing them packed foods in |
| occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis is more frequently | | | | easy to open packaging or easy to grip glasses or light |
| seen in older individuals despite the fact that this | | | | cups and unpackaged silverware. When dressing up, |
| disease often begins in middle age people. | | | | dressing aids can be very helpful. These include a |
| People affected with chronic illnesses like rheumatoid | | | | long-handled shoehorn, "reacher", zipper-pull, elastic |
| arthritis often experience anxiety, depression, | | | | shoelaces and buttonhook. Household items should |
| worthlessness and the feeling of being helpless. People | | | | also be made friendly to rheumatoid arthritis patients - |
| with rheumatoid arthritis may experience difficulty in | | | | including easy to open drawers, handrails and grab |
| doing their normal activities. Others may even find | | | | bars. All these will help patients perform daily activities |
| limited job opportunities because of physical deformity. | | | | easier. |
| Family life may be altered and some patients may find | | | | 4. It should be made known to the patient how and |
| it difficult to attend to the responsibilities they hold in | | | | when to take his medications. His doctor or nurse |
| their family. Moreover, the cost of both medical and | | | | should be able to inform the patient about possible |
| surgical treatment for this type of disease is often | | | | complications or side effects, if there are any, |
| extensive. This can hurl the patient into further | | | | accompanying his medications. |
| emotional and financial dilemma. | | | | 5. A competent medical practitioner or nurse should |
| It is important that people with rheumatoid arthritis be | | | | teach a rheumatoid arthritis patient how to stand, walk |
| given proper emotional and physical care to be able to | | | | and sit correctly. It will be beneficial for patients with |
| function back normally if possible. Experts suggest | | | | rheumatoid arthritis to use chairs with high seats and |
| some helpful tips to aid a rheumatoid arthritis patient | | | | armrests. These will enable him to get up more easily |
| ease some of the burden the illness has brought them. | | | | with his knees higher than his hips. Elevated toilet seats |
| 1. Hot showers or baths, either in the morning or at | | | | will also be helpful. |
| bedtime, are beneficial for patients with rheumatoid | | | | 6. Patients should learn how to rest every few minutes |
| arthritis. Hot showers can considerably reduce the | | | | within an hour's activity. He should learn to alternate |
| need for pain medications. | | | | sitting and standing tasks. Adequate sleep is also |
| 2. It is important that patients should adapt a well | | | | important and should be done in the proper sleeping |
| balanced diet. However, patients should be made well | | | | position. A nurse can teach the patient how to adopt a |
| aware that even special diets will not cure rheumatoid | | | | proper sleeping posture. |
| arthritis. Weight should be well controlled, since any | | | | Finally, proper emotional support should be provided. It |
| extra pounds will pose added burden to the affected | | | | should be well kept in mind that patients with chronic |
| joints. | | | | disease like rheumatoid arthritis can be easily |
| 3. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis should | | | | depressed, discouraged and irritable. Patients should be |
| not cease to do their basic daily activities. They should | | | | encouraged to freely talk about their fears or anxieties |
| be advised to perform simple activities like feeding | | | | concerning their situation. |
| themselves or dressing or combing their hair. Enough | | | | |