Mother's Day Gift Guide for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

From everydayhealth.com

Moms do a lot (understatement of the year), so when Mother’s Day comes around, it can be tough to choose the perfect gift to express your gratitude. If your mom — or grandma or other mother figure in your life — has rheumatoid arthritis (RA), then choose a thoughtful gift that honours her condition while simultaneously making her life easier.

Finding the right gift for someone with RA can be tricky. First, you should have a good idea of your mom’s relationship with her RA. Is she open about it, sharing when RA is affecting her daily life? Or is she more private, perhaps even keeping her RA diagnosis under wraps?

Someone more open about their condition may be more excited by gifts designed for people with arthritis, like adaptive equipment such as mobility assistive or protective devices. If your mom doesn’t like to talk about her RA, a gift that subtly addresses the challenges she lives with due to RA (like a massage or meal delivery voucher) may be a better choice.

You don’t necessarily want to centre your gift on your mom’s RA on Mother's Day; rather, show her that you notice and care.

Ultimately, you know your mom best. Some prefer pampering, others prefer the practical, and still more want a mix of both. A caring card, flowers, and donation to her favourite charity are always a great place to start. If you want to get more specific to her RA, consider the suggestions below.

1. Jewellery

Jewellery is a wonderful Mother’s Day gift but can present challenges for people with RA. RA is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints, most commonly affecting the small joints in the hands. This can make fine motor tasks like handling jewellery quite difficult.

But that doesn’t mean you have to skip jewellery altogether. “When buying jewellery, look for large or magnetic clasps that don’t require fine pinching,” says Maggie Strode, an occupational therapist and hand therapist who works with people with RA in New York City.

Bracelets, necklaces, and earrings are often better choices than rings. “Rings are tough [for people with RA] because of the swelling that develops in the joints with arthritis,” says Strode.

If your mom particularly loves rings, look for ones that are adjustable in diameter or perhaps can open and close to accommodate fluctuations in finger swelling.

Assistive devices can help with finicky jewellery clasps, too. If you’re giving your mom a non-adaptive piece of jewellery, then adding in one of these devices may mean she gets more use out of your gift.

2. Paraffin Wax Bath

A paraffin wax bath will certainly be appreciated by anyone with RA. This device soothes achy joints in the hands. It is often used during hand therapy sessions for RA, but one can be purchased online and is easy to use and operate at home.

Using a paraffin wax bath involves melting wax capsules and dipping your hands in three to five times, then covering them with a towel and heating pad and resting for 15 to 20 minutes. Exact instructions can vary with the device.

Paraffin wax baths “should not be used by people with a lack of sensation or open wounds,” says Strode. “However, when following the directions, and keeping the bath within 125 to 130 degrees F, they are very soothing.”

Strode also recommends purchasing unscented wax capsules along with the bath, since these are least likely to irritate the skin.

3. Stylish Compression Gloves

Some people with RA may benefit from compression gloves, which are slightly tight gloves that cover the wrists, hands, and fingers but leave the fingertips free for functional activities. “Compression gloves provide warmth and compression that can help manage joint pain and maximize joint mobility,” says Brandy Archie, an occupational therapist and the founder of adaptive equipment resource AskSamie, based in Kansas City, Missouri. People with RA should review the use of compression gloves with their rheumatologist and occupational therapist.

While a lot of compression gloves for arthritis are bulky and clinical looking, Archie notes that you can find sleeker ones in a range of colours — adding a stylish touch to a garment that might otherwise feel like a frustrating reminder of your mom’s RA.

Whether you want to go subtle with skin tones or bright with hot pink or lilac, there are tons of choices.

4. Sun Protection

Your mom might appreciate sun-protective clothing and accessories because people with RA are often more sensitive to the sun. RA itself doesn’t cause sun sensitivity, but some of the medications taken for it can increase photosensitivity.

Clothing like a beach cover-up, loose long shirts and trousers, a sun hoodie, and UV-protected clothing, as well as accessories like a beach umbrella, sun hat, sun gloves, and a luxurious facial sunscreen, are good choices.

5. Loungewear

Beyond sun protection, new clothes in general are a nice gift choice for Mother’s Day.

However, RA can make getting certain clothing on and off challenging. Look for clothes that are easy to put on and take off. For example, skip tops with buttons and tight clothing in favour of loose shifts and open cardigans. “With RA, make sure the clothing is not too restrictive,” says Strode. “Something like linen that is light and generally loose is comfortable.”

If your mom’s been eyeing a special piece of clothing that looks overly complicated to get on and off, then you might consider gifting her some adaptive tools. Devices like button hooks, shoe horns, zipper pulls, magnetic button helpers, shoe buttons (which keep shoelaces in place, preventing the need to retie laces), elastic no-tie shoelaces, and sock aids can make a big difference, so she doesn’t have to sacrifice her fashion sense due to RA.

                                                                                                                           iStock; Adobe Stock

6. Massage or Spa Voucher

A massage is a particularly luxurious gift that many moms with RA will love. And it can be more than simply indulgent; clinical studies have found that various forms of massage — Swedish, aromatherapy, and foot reflexology — can reduce pain, improve joint function, and enhance psychological well-being in people with RA. If you’re hesitant to book something like this for a mom with painful joints, here are some tips.

First, opt for a voucher instead of booking a massage or spa day outright. This gives your mom some agency, as well as the flexibility to book a date that works for both her RA symptoms and her schedule.

If your mom doesn’t already have a go-to massage therapist, then it’s worth doing some research to find one who’s suitable.

Grace Leger, owner and massage therapist at Elite Injury Rehab in Boulder, Colorado, has experience providing massage services for clients with RA. “When researching locations, first call the front desk and ask if any of the therapists have experience with rheumatoid arthritis,” she says. She advises looking for massage therapists who are familiar with myofascial techniques, chronic pain support, lymphatic drainage, lomilomi (a Polynesian kneading massage), and craniosacral therapy (a gentle hands-on method to help release tension in your body’s connective tissue), all of which may help with RA symptoms.

For something cheaper and more accessible than a professional massage, Leger recommends gifting your mom a lacrosse ball. These firm balls can be great for people with RA to perform self-massage, for example, by rolling their hands on a table.

7. Ergonomic Makeup Tools

Moms who are into beauty and makeup will appreciate restocking their go-to products or getting a trendy product that’s new to the market. However, applying makeup can be tough for people with RA. You may have even noticed that your mom uses makeup less frequently, even if she loved it before.

“Makeup is all fine motor work,” says Archie. “You’re gripping tiny tubes, twisting caps, and holding a mascara wand steady.” RA can particularly affect the finger joints, making them swollen, stiff, and painful to move. “The more you bend and hold those joints steady, the more challenging the task. So putting on makeup is a key challenge,” Archie says.

Look for makeup products with ergonomic containers and consider giving your mom assistive devices that make application easier for stiff hands. Tools like wide grips can be added to nail polish bottles, and there are makeup tools that require a lighter grasp for people with RA.

8. Meal Delivery Subscription

Treat your mom to a meal delivery subscription this Mother’s Day. RA can make meal prep tough, not only due to painful joints but because RA can cause fatigue as well.

Some companies send meals that are fully prepped and just need to be reheated. Other companies send easy-to-prep meal kits.

“Look for meal kits that have as many prepared veggies as possible,” says Strode, because this can help avoid joint discomfort from repetitive chopping. You might also want to purchase your mom an ergonomic box cutter so she doesn’t have difficulty opening the shipment.

9. Adaptive Cooking Tools

On the flip side, if your mom is an avid home chef, she may not want to give it up due to her RA. Cooking, however, requires lots of twisting, gripping, lifting, and repetitive movements, and this can feel pretty brutal on inflamed joints. Help her work with her RA, not against it, and give her adaptive cooking tools designed for people with limited hand mobility.

Archie recommends electric jar openers and automatic can openers, which reduce joint strain and the risk of injury. You might also consider an electric peeler, rocker knife (for one-motion cutting), spiked cutting board that holds food in place, or extra lightweight pots and pans.

Other kitchen devices that aren’t necessarily marketed as adaptive can also work. For instance, an Instant Pot or air fryer can cut out time in the kitchen and reduce a recipe's steps.

10. Exercise Class Gift Card

All of us can benefit from exercise, including anyone with RA. However, more intense types of exercise can be painful or lead to symptom flares for some people with RA.

“Gentle movement like yoga, tai chi, and Pilates help maintain joint mobility, reduce stiffness, and build the stabilizing muscles around those vulnerable joints,” says Archie.

A gift voucher to a low-impact exercise class (and perhaps even an IOU to attend the class with your mom if her love language is quality time) can support her health. Look for instructors who understand modifications and arthritis.

The Best Mother’s Day Gift for Someone With RA

“The best gifts for someone with RA solve a daily frustration they’ve been quietly working around,” says Archie. “That’s what makes adaptive tools so meaningful. They say, ‘I see you, and I want your day to feel a little easier.’”

Keep that philosophy in mind, and pay attention to what your mom loves to do and what she has trouble doing, and you’ll be sure to pick a gift she’ll adore.

The Takeaway

• When getting gifts for someone with rheumatoid arthritis, consider how RA affects their daily activities, particularly fine motor tasks involving the hands and fingers, which are the joints most commonly affected by this autoimmune disease.
• Adaptive tools like ergonomic kitchen equipment and jewellery with magnetic clasps can help reduce joint strain and make everyday tasks easier without sacrificing style or independence.
• Gentle, low-impact movement can help maintain joint mobility and reduce stiffness, while paraffin wax baths provide soothing relief for achy hands.
• When selecting a Mother’s Day gift, consider whether your mom is open about RA or prefers subtle support, and opt for items or experiences that address her challenges while catering to her interests.
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• https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/mothers-day-gifts/ 

7 diet tips for people living with arthritis

From restless.co.uk

According to the British Nutrition Foundation, more than 10 million people in the UK are living with arthritis. Although the condition can affect people of all ages, those aged 50 and over are more at risk.

Arthritis can be incredibly difficult to live with, and while there’s currently no cure, research suggests that certain lifestyle habits may help to slow its development and ease symptoms.

With this in mind, we’ve come up with a list of seven diet tips that might help if you or a loved one is living with arthritis.

What is arthritis?

There are various forms of arthritis but, generally, it’s a condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. We’ll cover these below…

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Research* suggests that around 1 in 10 UK adults has osteoarthritis of the hip, and a quarter have knee osteoarthritis.

The exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, but it’s considered a ‘wear and tear’ condition. This means cartilage (the flexible tissue that cushions joints and reduces friction) wears down over time due to daily activity. Factors, including injury, age, weight, and whether you have any other related conditions (like gout or diabetes), can also play a role.

Osteoarthritis typically leads to pain, inflammation, and the formation of bone spurs (osteophytes) – lumps that grow on the bone near joints or on the spine. People suffering from osteoarthritis also tend to experience stiffness and limited mobility.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks cells in joints.

Like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and the formation of bone spurs – as well as other symptoms like tiredness and weight loss.

Rheumatoid arthritis is less common than osteoarthritis, though it’s still estimated to affect around 400,000 UK adults.

Other types of arthritis include gout, psoriatic arthritis, and enteropathic arthritis. 

How can diet affect the symptoms and development of arthritis?

We all know a balanced diet is important for overall health and lowering our risk of developing conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Studies also suggest that diet may play a role in the severity of arthritis symptoms and have the potential to slow its progress – possibly even reducing the likelihood of developing arthritis in the first place.

There are a few reasons for this. For example, research shows that being overweight is a risk factor for developing osteoarthritis (particularly in the knees). This is because the heavier we are, the more stress we put on our joints, and the more likely the cartilage is to wear down.

Studies have also linked weight loss with slower cartilage degeneration in patients with osteoarthritis, and lower uric acid levels in people suffering from gout (higher levels of uric acid increase the likelihood of gout flaring up). As a result, maintaining a healthy weight may help slow the development of arthritis and reduce symptoms.

Certain vitamins and minerals are also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help ease the symptoms of arthritis. This is significant as, whether due to specific treatments or limited mobility, people with arthritis can be prone to becoming deficient in specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies. So, making sure you’re getting enough of these is important.

7 diet tips for people living with arthritis

1. Make sure you're getting enough omega-3s

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that play a key role in several body processes. They’ve been shown to help prevent and treat depression, maintain eye health, and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory properties, which studies suggest may help to prevent or reduce the symptoms of arthritis.

Some of the best sources of omega-3s are oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, and trout. These are great for people with arthritis, in part, because they also contain vitamin D (which we’ll get onto later).

If you don’t like fish or are plant-based, seeds (like flax and chia), nuts (like pecans and hazelnuts), and soya beans are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, too.

It’s best to try getting omega-3s from food because they’re often easier to absorb than supplements and contain a range of nutrients.

However, if you’re struggling to get enough omega-3s into your diet, you can buy fish oil and fish liver oil supplements. That said, it’s always best to speak to your GP before taking supplements of any kind, as they won’t be suitable for everyone.

To find out more about omega-3s and how you can incorporate them into your diet, why not read our guide?

2. Consider whether you’re eating enough calcium-rich foods

If you’re living with arthritis, it’s important to consider how you can reduce your risk of developing associated conditions, like osteoporosis. This causes bones to become brittle, and it’s common in people with arthritis.

The two conditions are linked because arthritis can cause pain and loss of joint function, which can reduce activity levels and increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Some steroid drugs used to treat arthritis can also increase the risk.

As a result, it’s important to take care of your bone health – and one of the best ways to do this is to make sure you’re getting enough calcium (the NHS recommends 700mg a day). It’s needed to build and maintain healthy bones and also helps muscles, nerves, and cells function normally.

Some great sources of calcium are…

• Dairy foods like milk and cheese

• Milk alternatives with added calcium, such as soya milk

• Tofu (some have added calcium)

• Nuts, particularly almonds

• Leafy green vegetables like okra, cabbage, and kale. Spinach, on the other hand, does contain high levels of calcium, but because of its high oxalate content (a chemical that interferes with our ability to absorb calcium), we can’t absorb as much from it.

To find out more, check out our article: Everything you need to know about calcium.

3. Remember to get your daily dose of vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for bone health because it helps the body absorb calcium and store it in skeletal tissues. Low levels of vitamin D can lead to brittle bones and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Research also suggests that vitamin D deficiency may increase the chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis and cause arthritis to develop more quickly.

Plus, vitamin D plays a key role in regulating the immune system, so getting enough is key for protection against a range of diseases and conditions.

Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because our skin produces it when it comes into contact with the sun’s UV rays. According to the NHS, most people in the UK get enough vitamin D (10mcg per day) from sunlight alone from April to September. However, during October to March, this isn’t always the case, so the NHS recommends taking supplements or increasing the amount of vitamin D in our diet.

Sources of vitamin D include oily fish like mackerel, sardines, and salmon; mushrooms and vitamin-D-fortified foods are great plant-based options, too.

To learn more about vitamin D and how you can get the right amount, check out our guide.

4. Make sure you're getting enough iron

Iron is an essential nutrient needed to make haemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Without enough oxygen, we may feel weak and tired.

Despite its importance, iron is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world and, unfortunately, is especially common in people with arthritis.

Research suggests this can be a side effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are typically used to manage the symptoms of arthritis.

NSAIDs are known to cause bleeding and stomach ulcers. This loss of blood can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia, which can cause symptoms like tiredness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and heart palpitations.

To help prevent iron deficiency anaemia, it’s important to include lots of good sources of iron in your diet. Examples include…

• Red meat, poultry (especially the darker parts, like the thigh), and pork
• Seafood (especially oily fish)
• Beans and pulses
• Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach
• Dried fruits like apricots and raisins
• Supplements – though it’s important to always speak to your GP first

For more information on iron, iron deficiency, and how you can get more of it into your daily diet, check out our article.

5. Take steps to cut back on added sugar

Diets high in added sugar are linked with weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It can exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis, too.

In this study, people with rheumatoid arthritis found that sugary foods caused arthritis flare-ups. Additional research has also found that diets high in processed sugar can increase inflammation throughout the body.

For tips on reducing your intake, check out our article: 9 simple ways to cut back on added sugar.

6. Consider adding turmeric to your diet

Earthy and spicy, turmeric has been used in South Asian cooking for centuries. But did you know that it may have medicinal properties, too? In India, this golden-coloured spice was traditionally used to treat skin disorders and digestive issues.

There’s also evidence that turmeric may be beneficial for arthritis symptoms because it contains a substance called curcumin – a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

This study, which compared the effectiveness of turmeric to a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac, found that curcumin had similar efficacy in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis. Research also suggests that curcumin could be an effective and safe form of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Turmeric can be added to your diet through food, as a tea, or you can take it as a supplement. But remember, if you’re thinking about taking supplements, it’s important to speak to your GP first.

For more information, check out our article: 8 health benefits of turmeric and how to add it to your diet.

Note: Research into whether turmeric is a safe and effective treatment for arthritis is limited. It’s not currently listed as an arthritis treatment by the NHS, so it’s important to seek advice from your GP before introducing it to your diet.

7. Try the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is an eating style based on the traditional cuisines of Mediterranean countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy. It includes lots of fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, and unsaturated fats – for example, olive oil. Seafood (including oily fish), dairy, and poultry are also included, but in moderation.

Experts have found that following the Mediterranean diet can prevent cardiovascular disease and extend healthy life expectancy. Recently, research has also found that it could be beneficial for people living with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study found that following the Mediterranean diet for three months reduced inflammation and improved joint function in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

To find out more about the Mediterranean diet, why not check out our article here?

Final thoughts…

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is key to our overall health and wellbeing. However, it can be especially important for those living with chronic conditions like arthritis, which can be incredibly challenging to live with.

Research suggests that staying on top of your vitamins and mineral intake can make all the difference when managing symptoms and reducing your risk.

For more tips on how to eat a healthy, balanced diet, head on over to our diet and nutrition section. Or, check out our articles: 9 tips for sleeping better with arthritis and 7 tips for coping with arthritis in winter.

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