I can’t believe how much strength I have lost in my hands due to arthritis. Getting dressed with arthritic hands takes much longer, and I usually end up in pain for my efforts.
It’s frustrating when you’re trying to get dressed, you have buttons in hard-to-reach places, and zipping up pants is just something you try to avoid.
Here is a sobering statistic: According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Survey, 44 percent of the 78 million adults in the U.S. diagnosed with arthritis report daily activity limitations, including difficulty getting dressed.
I’m using the hand exercise kit to exercise my fingers, and I keep my finger stretcher out where I can do the hand exercises while I am watching TV or just talking to someone.
The kit is helping with the pain in my fingers, but I still like dressing in clothes that don’t kill your hands to put on.
My Favorite Tips for Dressing with Arthritis
Choose Loose-Fitting Clothes
This isn’t the time to be rocking a pair of skinny jeans, which are hard to put on in the best of circumstances. Sweatpants or pants with an elastic waist are loose enough that you can slide them over your hips easily. This is particularly nice when you have an arthritis flare-up.
Purchase pull-on tops and tunics instead of button-down blouses, zip-up sweatshirts, and tight-fitted turtlenecks. Cconsider joggers and pants with drawstring waists.
Wear a Sports Bra
A traditional bra has about four places that you have to fasten, and with aching hands, forget about it. One advantage of a sports bra is that it has no fasteners, and you can buy sports bras that close in the front.
Buy No-Tie Shoelaces
The sneakers I wear are constantly coming untied, and it is way beyond annoying, not to mention painful. It annoys my husband, Mark, when we are walking somewhere, and I have to stop repeatedly to tie my shoes.
I like the different colors of no-tie shoelaces, especially pink. Traditional shoelaces are usually a drab white or black.
Use a Zipper Pull
I don’t know how many times I have had trouble pulling my jeans zipper up. It turns itself inside out and gets stuck at the bottom of the zipper. This is where a zipper pull could make dressing a lot easier.
You can buy a zipper pull or make your own. Loop a piece of string into the little hole in the zipper tab. That sounds easy enough, and you can use the string to pull it through.
I am not into do-it-yourself projects, so I would definitely shop for mine.
Take Your Time
If you have to wear a button-down shirt or blouse to work, take your time and start 10 minutes earlier. This keeps you from getting too frustrated and allows time to use your arthritis aids. Better yet, lay your clothes out the night before.
Summary
No one likes having arthritic hands, but it’s nice to know there are products available to make things a lot easier. Check out these tips and do some research on your own. You can’t put a price on your health.
