Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to reduce the effort and workload for individuals with gouty arthritis as follows:
Certain arrangements and minor modifications can help improve safety, reduce the effort and workload for individuals with gouty arthritis. Use of ergonomically designed tools can help improve independence and reduce the risk for exacerbation of arthritic pain.
- Secondary to poor grip, individuals with gouty arthritis of hands can often feel the tasks of using a toothbrush and combing hair daunting. Use of adaptive equipment, such as, ergonomic stabilizing toothbrush and hairbrush with padding grips can promote the grip and make the task easier for the individual.
- Poor grips in individuals with gouty arthritis of hands can often make the task of holding pen or pencil challenging. Use of adaptive equipment, such as, silicone stretchy cuffs can help promote the grip and reduce the stress of work for the individual.
- Pain and stiffness in the weightbearing joints of gouty arthritis patients can make prolonged standing during cooking and dish washing tiresome. Using microwave for cooking and dish washer regularly can help avoid the stress on the weightbearing joints. Seeking caregiver assistance, as needed, can complement the client safety.
- Individuals with gouty arthritis involving the hands and fingers can have difficulty forming a grip to hold bar or bottles of soap, shampoo & conditioner while taking shower. Using a wall-mounted soap, shampoo and conditioner dispensers with push-buttons can be easier, as it is less stressful on the hand joints of gouty arthritis individuals. Also, this avoids the stress of bending down to pick the bar or bottle of soap, in the event of dropping them down.
