Dealing with arthritis is, well, painful. And people with arthritis just want it to go away.
The good news? There are many tools, gadgets, devices, and techniques to deal with the pain of arthritis.
The “even better” news? Many of these helpful items make great gifts for people with arthritis!
Some examples of items that make good gifts for arthritis sufferers include:
- Arthritis pain management devices to help relieve arthritis pain,
- Tools that improve quality of life,
- Health products that improve overall health, and
- Practical and useful items that make basic tasks easier to do.
If you are looking for the best gifts for someone with arthritis, you’ve come to the right place.
So, based on my experience working with seniors and the elderly, here are our top recommendations!
Gifts for Arthritic Hands
Medicine Bottle Opener with Magnifier and LED Light
Personally, I love having one tool that does multiple jobs, and this helpful gadget solves many problems seniors have.
First, it helps open medication bottles by providing a better grip with more leverage. This is especially helpful for seniors with weakness or arthritis in their hands.
Plus, it also has a built-in magnifying glass with an LED light for reading that teeny, tiny print on your pill bottles.
This could help prevent a medication mix-up!
Hand Massager With Heat
Vive Hand Massager - Finger and Wrist Accupressure Machine - Electric Rechargeable Heat...
Because our hands are used for nearly everything we do, it is essential for people with arthritis to manage arthritic hand pain.
This massager uses warm air and gel to simulate a more natural massage for your achy hands. The simple push-button controls are easy to use too.
It is even small and easy to take on trips or to the office.
SureGrip Utensil Set
5-Piece SureGrip Utensil Set
Kitchen tasks are a frequent cause of pain for people with arthritic hands.
These SureGrip kitchen utensils feature a large but soft handle covering that is easier for aging or arthritic hands to hold onto and grip. This means less pain when cooking!
This six-piece gift set comes in multiple color choices too!
People with arthritis in their hands frequently remove their rings when joints and knuckles swell.
This Celebrations by Mikasa® Heart Ring Holder gift is a safe place to put your rings while washing your hands, the dishes, or sleeping. Then, you will also know where they are when you want to put them back on again.
Always keeping your rings in the same place is a great habit to get into as well.
Simple TV Remote Control
HC-SMPL-TVR SMPL Universal TV Remote
This simple and senior-friendly remote control is just that – simple! And the buttons are easy for arthritic fingers to press and use.
It only has five buttons for favorite channels and an up/down channel button.
The remaining three buttons are for volume, on-off & mute. It works with almost every TV.
Does your loved one have a green thumb but shy away from gardening tasks?
Why not upgrade their gardening tools with the gift of a complete set of tools and a carrying case?
These tools have large ergonomic slip-free handles for people with arthritis or hand or wrist pain.
Even if the senior doesn’t have a garden or plants to take care of, why not spark a potential new hobby with this gift?
I have found that using a waiter’s corkscrew is complicated, even though I don’t have arthritis.
If your loved one loves his/her wine and its health benefits, an automatic wine opener like this can be the perfect gift.
This wine opener is electric and does all the work of opening wine bottles without the need for turning and twisting, which can cause pain for a person with arthritis.
Plus, it includes a chiller for keeping your favorite bottle at just the right temperature.
This trackball from Logitech features an ergonomic design to provide maximum comfort.
It is wireless, so your loved one with arthritis can control their desktop, laptop, or even home theater from up to 30 feet away.
You can connect up to 6 compatible wireless devices.
Negg Boiled Egg Peeler
The Negg Boiled Egg Peeler - Red
Peeling eggs can even frustrate people who don’t have arthritis.
This simple egg peeler helps break up the eggshell with a few simple shakes and a little bit of water.
Then, the shell slips right off – often in one piece! A gift like this makes breakfast an easy process once again.
No-Tie Elastic Shoe Laces
LOCK LACES Lock Laces(r) Original No-Tie Shoelaces
Tying shoes is difficult, if not impossible, for seniors with arthritic hands.
These elastic no-tie shoelaces are so much easier on arthritic hands.
You just slip your feet into your shoes and lock the laces with one simple pull. And they unlock just as easily!
This ergonomic clipper set reduces some arthritis hand pain associated with the squeezing motion used with nail clippers.
Plus, it is heavy-duty enough to be used on extra large and thickened nails.
See more nail clippers for arthritis here.
Hand To Hand Mug
Maddak Hand-To-Hand Mug
The hand to hand mug is specifically designed for people who have trouble holding onto a coffee mug. It is lightweight, too, weighing only 6.4 oz.
The large handle is easy to hold onto, which is important in a coffee mug for seniors with arthritic hands.
The mug holds 10 oz and is microwave and dishwasher-safe.
Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Can Opener Plastic in Black, Size 5.0 W x 4.75 D in | Wayfair 76606ZA
I’ve had several people over the years tell me they avoid buying products in jars. But that’s a bit extreme when there are tools that can help!
This automatic jar opener is a great choice for seniors because it operates at the touch of a single button.
It even comes with a video to show seniors how to use it. It will reseal jars too!
Another excellent gift option is keyless locks for the front door.
Even after you find the right key, your need good dexterity to twist it in the lock.
With keyless smart locks like these, there is no need to use a key. Use a wireless FOB, your smartphone, a keypad, or even you fingerprint to unlock the door.
Gifts for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves keep your hands warm, compressed, and comfortable too.
These gloves come in various sizes and are made of a copper-infused material that’s perfect for consistent performance.
I like the fingerless design because it still allows you to move your fingers for finer tasks.
Use my discount code GWG20 to save 20% off of the regular price.
Bearaby Napper Weighted Blanket
A weighted blanket can be a fantastic gift idea if you are looking for gifts for people in your life suffering from this condition.
A weighted blanket can help with joint pain, reduce the swelling that comes with it, and helps achieve a better night’s rest.
This alone can positively impact their arthritis condition because the body can repair itself when it gets sufficient rest at night.
I recommend the Bearaby weighted blankets because there are no glass beads to manage, and they look like homemade knotted blankets!
Extra Wide Slippers for Swollen Feet
Silverts Men's Extra Extra Wide Slip-Resistant Slippers - Black - 12
Depending on the rheumatoid arthritis type your loved one has, it often causes the feet and ankles to swell, which makes shoes painful to wear.
These extra wide adjustable slippers feature Easy Touch Closures and memory foam insoles for ultimate comfort!
The adjustable straps are terrific for those with arthritis, lowered hand dexterity & people with diabetes.
The Amazon Kindle Fire is a reliable electronic reader that is available in many sizes and weights, plus the fonts can be enlarged for easier reading.
For reading, e-readers are easier to use than having to turn pages.
To personalize this arthritis gift, add some of their favorite books ahead of time.
Take it one step further and load an app like Skype onto a newer Kindle version so that they can sign in and chat with family when you are apart.
Everyone loves Burt’s Bees hand care products – from young to old.
It’s a great gift for senior men and women with hand pain and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
This gift set includes two hand creams, cuticle cream, and a set of stretchy cotton gloves.
Neck and Back Shiatsu Massager with Heat
Neck Massager
This gift provides much-needed arthritis pain relief for muscle soreness, muscle stiffness, or even swelling and pain resulting from these issues.
All without booking an appointment, going across town, and dealing with the uncomfortable aspects of getting a massage from a professional.
Cold therapy may help reduce arthritis-related soreness, while heat therapy helps stimulate blood circulation.
Heat therapy is also a great way to warm up stiff or tight muscles, especially in the morning.
The large-sized gel pack featured here provides cold and hot therapy for multiple body areas.
Hot and Cold Therapy Therapeutic Massager
Wahl Hot Cold Deluxe Heat Therapy Electric Corded Massager with Variable Intensity for Customized...
Hot and cold therapy probably won’t prevent arthritis-related flares, but it can help reduce inflammation and provide some relief.
If you prefer more direct relief to hot or cold compresses, this hot-cold massager from Wahl is an excellent gift idea for a person with arthritis that’s physically active.
It helps massage away pain and discomfort while providing heat and cold benefits.
PureRelief Deluxe Foot Warmer
Pure Enrichment® PureRelief™ Deluxe Foot Warmer - Fast-Heating Sherpa-Lined Electric Boots with 4...
These super warm foot-warming slippers have four therapeutic heated settings to relieve arthritic foot pain or warm up cold feet.
Inside is a plush machine-washable sherpa micro mink lining to keep everything clean and odor-free.
The automatic shutoff makes sure it doesn’t run too long!
These FDA-registered compression foot sleeves provide gentle compression to relieve pain for seniors who suffer from foot pain.
They are made of a breathable fabric that keeps feet cool simultaneously.
You can gift these in full-sized socks and knee socks as well.
Gifts to Help Osteoarthritis Joint Pain
Ladies with arthritis in their shoulders and back know that carrying the usual strapped purse is asking for trouble.
Crossbody sling bags like these have wider straps to spread out the pressure. They are also worn across the body to distribute their weight better as well.
These sling bags from G4Free also have RFID blocking technology and are comfortable enough for daily use or even for a hike.
Stander Car Transfer Handle
Stander Handybar Lite and Auto Assist Handle Combo Pack Vehicle Support Aids
If you have arthritis, getting in and out of a vehicle is miserable, especially if you have knee pain.
The HandyBar car handle shown here provides a non-slip grip and the extra leverage needed to reduce pressure on your arthritic knees.
It supports people up to 350-pounds and simply hooks into the door latch.
It’s small enough to store in the center console, so it will always be available when needed.
Zeba’s fashionable sneakers are great for seniors because of their patented no-tie system.
Instead of dealing with fasteners, they slip right on your feet – even from a standing position.
This reduces knee and leg pain associated with donning shoes and is easier on the ankles and feet.
It also reduces the chance of losing your balance because you won’t need to bend over to tie your shoes!
Ok, bear with us on this one. It’s both a practical and fun gift in the right circumstances.
Sitting on the toilet can be quite painful for many people with arthritis. And being able to elevate your knees while seated on the throne can relieve pressure on painful knee joints.
Not to mention that the benefits of the “more natural” squatting motion when relieving one’s self have been studied and verified.
We chose this model because it has a built-in, motion-activated light for all those nighttime bathroom visits.
BioSoft Padded Sole Socks
Padded Sole Sock-Brown
The BioSoft line of socks from Orthofeet is specifically designed to address foot pain and increase overall foot comfort.
They are made of super-soft, moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial bamboo fibers to keep your arthritic feet comfortable and cool.
Plus, they have padded soles and super stretchy cuffs better to fit swollen feet, ankles, and calves.
Orthofeet Orthopedic Slippers
Charlotte - Brown
These Podiatrist-approved slippers in both men’s and women’s styles feature a roomy and wide-toe box with built-in orthotic insoles.
These slippers are specially designed to make walking easier and alleviate pain on the heel and ball of the foot from numerous conditions, including arthritis.
These are a great choice for older adults who need safe and comfortable slippers without sacrificing style.
Corningware® Meal Mug™ with Lid
Corningware 1123451 20 oz Navy Blue Meal Mug with Plastic Vented Lid
This stoneware mug is made to go from microwave to table and includes a vented, splatter-free lid.
It is excellent for heating up oatmeal, hot chocolate, chilis, and soups and then eating right out of the bowl.
Seniors can warm their belly and their achy hands by holding onto this warm mug/bowl combo.
Plus, it is low-maintenance, being dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe.
Lima Ceramic Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set
GreenPan Lima Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 12 Piece Cookware Pots and Pans Set,...
This lightweight cookware with ergonomic handles is a great choice for people with arthritis who have trouble holding onto heavy cookware.
The thick, rounded handles are much easier to hold onto with less pain. Plus, this set is much lighter than your standard cookware.
The set includes a 2-quart saucepan, a 5-inch egg pan, a 3-quart skillet with a lid, and a 9.5-inch frypan. Plus, you get a solid bamboo turner, slotted bamboo turner, and bamboo fork to complete it.
A healthy diet can help with the symptoms of arthritis, while unhealthy eating choices may worsen arthritis pain.
This senior meal delivery service sends chef-prepared meals from doctor-designed diets straight to the door.
Simply select your meals from a menu online or via phone and set your delivery schedule.
You can then rest assured, knowing your loved one is eating well.
This at-home mani/pedi kit is perfect for people who find clippers difficult to operate.
Trimming in-grown toenails and calluses can be dealt with from the comfort and privacy of the home. The kit has all of the pieces needed for a full manicure or pedicure.
And, because it is electric, no squeezing or pinching motions are needed. An LED light is built in to see the nails better.
Consider including a small set of nail polishes, nail polish remover, and toe separators so that they can paint their nails too.
Wireless headphones will let your loved one enjoy their TV viewing, audiobook listening experience or just shut the world out for a little while.
These headphones fit right over the ear and cancel out the noise around them in an otherwise noisy common area.
This model has a 30-hour battery life and can be synced to various devices via Bluetooth.
Check out this article’s guide to buying headphones for seniors and the elderly.
LED Neck Reading Light
Glocusent LED Neck Book Light for Reading in Bed Rechargeable Around Neck Reading Light with 3...
This book reading light charges in a USB port, so it can be plugged right into a tablet or kindle device while elderly owners are reading or working.
Multiple color modes and brightness levels exist, including a night light setting.
The best part is that it slips easily around the neck and hangs naturally without painful clips or clamps.
The touch-on table lamp is a great lighting option for the living or bedroom of your loved one with arthritis.
The light is easily turned on or off with a simple tap of the base.
This means that your loved one doesn’t have to crank a switch to turn it on or off, which is incredibly convenient. They won’t have to change their position either!
This basically simple radio for seniors has a very easy and intuitive interface.
Large, easy-to-press buttons are perfect for seniors with arthritis in their hands.
They can also scan for local stations with one touch.
General Gifts for Arthritis
1. Arthritis Pain Management Gifts
Arthritis patients say it is very painful to deal with arthritis in the hands. After all, the condition leads to swelling and inflammation in the joints.
This can make it difficult to do seemingly basic things like opening the door or getting keys out of your purse.
You could consider gifting several gifts to someone dealing with arthritis in their hands, including disposable ice packs for immediate pain relief.
You can even gift a pair of arthritis gloves meant to relieve aches and pains in the region through compression. There are even pain relief moisturizers that you could get, which could help.
2. Quality Of Life Gifts
Living with this type of condition can be very difficult.
It can make it difficult for seniors to be able to take care of themselves when they are dealing with limited usage of their hands due to swelling and inflammation.
To find good gifts that can enhance their quality of life, you should be looking for things that they would be able to use daily.
This can include various kitchen gadgets like an automatic can opener or even an automatic wine opener. Opening cans and wine bottles may seem easy for the average person.
However, when you are dealing with pain and swelling in your hand joints due to arthritis, nothing is as easy as it seems.
Even something like tying a shoe can be increasingly difficult for someone dealing with an inflammatory condition like arthritis.
Sometimes, even using scissors can be a painful experience for people with arthritis.
By gifting these types of gifts, you will be able to make a real difference in their daily life which makes for a fantastic gift.
3. A Health-Enhancing Gift
While arthritis is not something that cannot be cured, there are ways to effectively cope with it.
Yoga has shown benefits in managing arthritis and overall health too. So, yoga mats and blocks are an excellent way to encourage your loved one to participate in this health changing activity.
Certain supplements and dietary choices can significantly affect the condition’s symptoms. You could potentially gift supplements like Tumeric, fish oil, and many others recommended by the Arthritis Foundation.
Gifting supplements could show that you care about how they are feeling.
4. Useful Gifts
As mentioned, doing simple everyday tasks can be an absolute struggle for anyone who is dealing with arthritis in the hands.
One of the best ways to showcase your appreciation through a gift would be to eliminate the need for them to cook their meals.
You could do this by gifting them a subscription to a meal delivery service to make the entire meal prep portion of their life much easier and more convenient.
Also, you could even volunteer to prepare and cook meals for them for a specific period to assist them in getting a healthy diet without having to do it themselves.
Wrapping Up!
As you can tell, many different gift ideas can be perfect for someone in your life that suffers from arthritis. If you know someone with the condition, you can make their life a lot easier by gifting them some of the gift ideas above.
We hope you found our list of gifts for people with arthritis helpful! Please share your own ideas and suggestions in the comments below.
