Tips & Tools for Spring Gardening with Arthritis

May is National Arthritis Month and according to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 50 million Americans are living with arthritis today! While arthritis varies in type and intensity, people are able to find relief in a variety of ways and make adaptations to enjoy their favorite activities. With the beautiful spring weather upon us, the following tips can help make gardening more comfortable and enjoyable.

  • Kneeling over or reaching across a gardening bed can get to you after awhile.  Gardening catalogs and gardening sections in stores sell knee pads and/or kneeling pads that can make certain gardening chores easier. If a limited budget keeps you from purchasing those items, you could use foam rubber purchased from a fabric store and cut it down to any size you wish. 
  • You may find it beneficial to invest in a garden cart with wheels and a storage bin.  This will allow you to get around with more ease while having all your tools close at hand.
  • If hand strength or limited use of upper extremities poses a problem, try taking the handle of your tool and building it up so that you can grasp it easily. Pipe insulation and some duct tape can be used and both are cheap. This type of soft grip is especially nice if hand pain is an issue. If pipe insulation is too thick, try using tennis tape, which is usually used to build up the handle of a racquet.
  • You can also doctor up a pair of biking or golf gloves to make grasping tools easier. First, attach a strip of the “hook” side of Velcro to the gloves. Then, attach the matching length of the “loop” side of the Velcro to a trowel, spade or small watering can. Once it is fastened to your gloved hand, you don’t need to rely on the strength of your grip to control the tool.
  • There are gardening tools for sale that offer removable handle lengths (for those hard to reach areas) as well as handles that loop over your arm, which is particularly helpful if you have one arm/hand that is much stronger than the other.
  • If you have the opportunity to have someone provide you with raised beds, it can make all the difference when it comes to accessibility. They are particularly nice if you have back issues or difficulty sitting low to the ground.

Adaptations can be made for a variety of other activities as well. In fact, Sheltering Arms is holding a series of clinics this spring/summer that will offer tips and adaptations for the game of golf. Click here to learn more.

To learn more about arthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Top 3 Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and are looking to start a new exercise program? Research has indicated that exercise can help reduce the progression of Parkinson’s Disease and can provide relief from motor symptoms, stiffness, or mood changes that can be associated with the diagnosis. It’s recommended to see a physical therapist who is experienced in treating people with Parkinson’s Disease to identify specific areas of improvement and to assist you in establishing a safe, customized exercise program. Learn exercises to address different elements of physical exercise and wellness.

Avocado toast with turkey bacon and tomato

5 No-Egg Healthy Breakfast Ideas​

As many of you may know, there’s been an ongoing egg shortage due to the bird flu, which has significantly impacted egg prices — up by more than 50% from last year. While this may have made your usual breakfast routine a bit more challenging, fear not! There are plenty of other protein-rich options to fuel your day.

Q&A: What to Expect When Facing an Upper or Lower Limb Amputation

In the United States alone, approximately 185,000 amputations occur each year, and 2 million people are living with limb loss. In recognition of Limb Loss Awareness Month, this article addresses common questions surrounding limb loss, from the reasons for amputation to returning to favorite activities following surgery. An amputation is the surgical removal of part of the body, usually an arm or leg. There are three main reasons for amputation.

The Interdisciplinary Approach in Rehabilitation to Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million people in the United States alone. MS is an immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin insulation that surrounds the nerves in the central nervous system. This damage causes widespread symptoms varying in severity, including fatigue, weakness, sensation loss, visual impairments, and walking and balance impairments. These symptoms of MS can impact someone’s mobility, quality of life, ability to work and provide for their family, relationships, and community participation. Because these symptoms can impact so many aspects of a person’s life, a rehabilitative care team should consist of multiple disciplines that work together to provide a collaborative, all-encompassing care plan, called interdisciplinary care.

9 Ways to Improve Sleep After a Concussion

After a concussion, there are a lot of common misconceptions about sleep. Mainly, is it safe to sleep following this mild traumatic brain injury? The answer is yes – it is okay to sleep after a concussion! This misconception stems from an out-of-date recommendation to wake the person up every hour to check on them. However, that is only if there is concern about the risk for a brain hemorrhage or bleed that wasn’t immediately apparent.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.