Caring for someone with arthritis
According to Arthritis UK, around 1 in 6 of the UK population has some form of arthritis. Whether someone you care for is living with the condition, or you are trying to cope with its effects while caring, we hope this section helps.
Many people don't realise that arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 different conditions that can cause arthritis. It can be identified as swelling or inflammation in the joints and this can often lead to pain, aches and stiffness. It can affect people of all ages. Below, we have pulled together some sources of support.
Where can I find specialist support?
Organisations like Arthritis UK and Arthritis Action specialise in providing information, services and support for anyone living with arthritis to help address the day-to-day challenges it can cause.
Here are some useful links:
Resources and guides to help if you're looking after someone living with arthritis or are experiencing it yourself (from Arthritis UK)
arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/
Information about arthritis services
arthritisaction.org.uk/self-management-courses/
Directory for local support: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/in-your-area/
If you have a specific query, you may find these services helpful:
Arthritis UK
The Arthritis Helpline:
https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/support-and-resources/arthritis-uk-helpline/
How to get NHS help for your pain
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/pain/how-to-get-nhs-help-for-your-pain/
You may need support for your own wellbeing too.
Arthritis UK online information sessions
These may help navigate a pathway through the challenges posed by arthritis and you can meet others in a similar situation.
Action Arthritis podcast
The Arthritis Action Podcast - Arthritis Action
Also see their webinars:
Webinars - Arthritis Action
Carers UK
Our free Carers UK Care for a Cuppa sessions also offer an opportunity to connect with other carers, and you can find out more about relevant topics through our Share and Learn sessions:
Further support
Some people find alternative exercise routines like Tai Chi help soothe the mind and body.
We have a taster session that you can try below:
How can I support them with moving around?
If you need to help someone move around, for example to get to and from the toilet, it's important that you also look after your own health and body as the repetitive strain of this could lead to an injury or poor health.
Read our guidance on looking after your body and see the section on manual handling for tips on how to help someone safely. We suggest some ways to prevent an issue from arising, but if you are aware of any problems surfacing, it is advisable to speak to your doctor and get additional support.
Support with day-to-day life
You may feel it's now necessary to alter the home or consider accessories, tech and equipment to help someone who may be having to adapt to living with restricted movement or a disability. This section of our website offers some ideas to help: Technology and equipment | Carers UK.
A good starting point for getting extra support is to arrange a needs assessment if they haven't had one already. The term for this may differ depending on where you live, but essentially this is a review of someone's needs, looking at what will help improve their day-to-day life.
As an unpaid carer, you may also be eligible for a needs assessment. If you are struggling with health issues and are under strain, you can also request a needs assessment for yourself. You can have this as well as a carer’s assessment.
Depending on where you live, there may be a waiting list for this support. It is worth checking with your local authority or health and social care trust (in Northern Ireland).
Arranging care for someone
If you reach a point, where you need additional support to look after someone, there are various options to consider. Everyone's circumstances are different so it may be a case of trial and error at first. However we hope to make these difficult decisions easier for you by providing lots of guidance and information to help you make informed choices.
Using a care agency can be more expensive than employing a care worker directly, but there are certain responsibilities to fulfil if you are taking on the role of an employer to recruit someone directly. See our online pages for more information and guidance:
Fore more information about finding care agencies, see this page.
For more information about directly employing a care professional, see this page.
You can explore other options on our arranging care for someone page.
How do I take time out?
If you feel in need of a break, you should not feel guilty about arranging one. Often, it is easier to put the needs of those we care for before our own.
See our webpage, Taking a break, for some ideas on how to take some time out. On this page, you can also download a factsheet which provides a list of organisations that can help with offering a break or support you to seek respite care.
Connecting with others
You can connect to our forum, Carers Connect, to read what others have experienced and search for useful terms to find a relevant thread, such as 'disability needs': take a look here.
To post topics or join a conversation on Carers Connect, you need to become a member first. This is free and can give you access to lots of additional support in case you need it: join us.
