When you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), symptoms like joint pain and stiffness can make traveling difficult. Zipping and unzipping luggage is a pain when your fingers are stiff, standing in long security lines can be hard on your knees, and sitting on an airplane for extended periods may bother your neck.
But there’s no need to restrict your adventures because of RA symptoms. Many gadgets and strategies available today can help you navigate the world with comfort and ease.
“Traveling is important — you want to get out there and be part of life,” says Elin Schold Davis,?OTR/L, the manager of the Older Driver Initiative at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in North Bethesda, Maryland. “When people who have RA use things that help the journey go better, that help them avoid some of the movements or pressure stress on their joints, it makes them more likely to want to travel again.”
An Occupational Therapist Can Help You Prepare for Your Trip
When it comes to managing RA symptoms in your day-to-day life, you probably have approaches and methods to help you get by without adding to the aggravation. But when you’re traveling and exploring an unfamiliar place, you’ll need to think and plan ahead. A good place to start is to consult an occupational therapist (OT) who works with rheumatoid arthritis. They can help you figure out what might help you the most and make recommendations to suit your needs. “If you want the best advice for your individual situation, you have to talk to somebody who can look at your individual situation and offer guidance for you,” says Schold Davis.
An OT can provide you with a comprehensive plan, from reviewing energy conservation techniques that keep you from getting fatigued to basic joint protection strategies. It could be something as simple as having a pencil with an eraser in your bag to help you push an elevator button to avoid repetitive stress on your joints. “Some of these things sound so obvious, but the clarity of the recommendation helps us use our common sense better,” notes Schold Davis.
Pack Smart With These RA-Friendly Essentials
When you have RA, it’s not just about what you pack, it’s about how you pack. Start with these items to help make packing a cinch.
A Small Crossbody Bag, Waist Belt Bag, or Shoulder Strap for Your Phone Something like a fanny pack with a zipper pull or a magnetic closure can help keep your important travel documents handy while eliminating the stress on your shoulders and neck that purses and larger backpacks can cause. Schold Davis keeps her phone, which has a holder for her license on the back, on a shoulder strap for easy access without the strain.
Weekly or Monthly Medication-Sorter Boxes These can help reduce bulk in your bags and make it easier to keep track of your medications during busy travel times. Schold Davis recommends bringing an extra two weeks worth of your meds to allow for greater flexibility in your schedule.
Four-Wheel 360-Degree-Direction Bags These are easy to maneuver, as you can push as well as pull them. If they’re on the heavier side, “ask for help to get them into overhead bins if you can’t lift,” says Cheryl Crow, an occupational therapist based in Seattle who herself has RA. You might also put a colorful wrap around the handle to build it up so you can grip it more easily and to help you ID your bag, suggests Schold Davis.
Luggage Zipper Pulls Luggage usually features various zippered compartments, and some zippers are more resistant than others. Adding zipper pulls helps. “You can also tie a hair band or rubber band around the zipper,” says Crow. “Hook your wrist or fist through the band and then pull — this minimizes stress on your potentially sore hand joints.”
Packing Cubes?These are convenient for packing and unpacking, says Schold Davis. You can keep your items organized and transfer the cube directly to a drawer.
Protect Your Joints While You Drive
Whether you’re renting a car or taking your own on the road, certain features can help keep your joints comfortable during your drive. “You may have to upgrade a bit,” says Schold Davis, “but it makes your travel more comfortable.” Check out CarFit, a joint educational venture from AOTA, the American Automobile Association, and AARP that can help ensure you have the proper fit inside your own vehicle to keep you both safe and comfortable.
Heated Seats This feature can relieve joint pain and help keep joints flexible, especially in your hips, according to the Arthritis Foundation. If your car or one you rent isn’t equipped with heated seats, you can purchase heated seat covers.
Heated Steering Wheel Cover Similarly, a heated steering wheel cover can help relax joints in your hands and prevent you from gripping the wheel too tightly. Some cars come with these covers already installed.
Seat Slide This allows you to get in and out of the car by sitting and turning. If you can’t find one, a plastic bag or silk scarf will do the trick — just remember to remove the item before driving so you don’t slip around.
Lumbar Support Many cars have lumbar support built in, notes Schold Davis. Or you can place a rolled towel or firm pillow behind your lower back for support while sitting in the car.
Seat Belt Buckle Aids A number of gadgets make it simpler to buckle up and avoid struggling. Devices include the Jimmy, an easy-to-grip handle that aids with buckling and unbuckling, to products that hold those floppy, hard-to-find buckles in the backseat upright. Just make sure the gadgets you opt for are well designed and crash tested, says Schold Davis.
Keyless Entry and Starter If your vehicle didn’t come with these, you can get after-market add-ons.
RELATED: 8 Ways to Ease Travel-Related Joint Pain
What to Do Before You Board and What to Bring on a Flight
If you can afford it, consider enrolling in Trusted Traveler programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. You can cut down on time spent standing in line while avoiding tasks that can put pressure on joints, like taking off your shoes and handling your luggage.
Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance, and line up any support you may need ahead of time. Airlines and airports offer disability services that can be incredibly helpful. Even if you’re ambulatory, you can conserve your energy and give your joints a break by requesting a wheelchair or a ride in a passenger transport cart. Contact your airline about these services as soon as you book your ticket.
When it comes to packing, these essentials can help you stay comfortable throughout your flight.
Neck Pillow Inflatable ones pack down easily but are not recommended if you have respiratory problems, and fiddling with the valve can be difficult. Consider adding a shoulder strap to carry a neck pillow with you, instead of packing it in your bag.
Hand and Foot Warmers Sometimes the temperature on airplanes can be quite cool. Hand and foot warmers can help keep your joints from getting cold and stiff.
Compression Gloves and Socks Wear them preemptively to ward off the stiffness and inflammation that the changes in air pressure can cause. “If you have a lot of inflammation,” says Crow, “your doctor or OT might recommend a specific type.”
Make Your Stay as Comfortable as Possible
To make your hotel or vacation rental feel like a home away from home, it helps to think ahead when booking a place. And pack these essentials to ensure a successful stay.
Mobility-Friendly Accommodations These rooms offer such features as lower hanging racks, a step-in shower with a bench, and Americans With Disabilities Act–compliant entryways to make getting in and out with a wheelchair or walker easy. “You might not think it’s necessary,” says Schold Davis, “but if you’re fatigued by travel, something like a shower bench might be a relief.” Be sure to make your reservation early as the availability of these rooms may be limited.
Light Exercise Equipment It’s important for people who have RA to keep up exercise to maintain flexibility and muscle strength, so take along easy-to-pack equipment such as resistance bands. Use water bottles as weights, suggests Schold Davis, or check to see if there’s any equipment that can be brought to your room. Most hotels have exercise rooms equipped with stationary bikes and elliptical trainers so ask when booking.
Rubber Jar Opener Even if you don’t have to open jars, this can be used to turn sink handles and doorknobs and to open sliding glass doors with ease. Keep one in your bag, but if you forget, a damp washcloth can also provide friction, notes Schold Davis.
Bring Travel-Friendly Mobility Aids
Invest in these gadgets to stay ahead of fatigue and give yourself the opportunity to rest your joints as needed, even when you’re on the go.
Canes With Seats This type of cane has a fold-down seat if you find yourself worn out at a museum or stuck in a line. Your OT can recommend modifications if the button release is too hard to manage. “What you don’t want to do is get overtired and then need to repair. You’re better off resting,” says Schold Davis. A cane with a seat can help, as can choosing a path where there are places to sit down and, of course, being willing to sit down. If you try to push through, “You can end up being out the whole next day. Or you can’t go to dinner because you’re too tired.”
Folding Canes These are lighter and easier to pack and carry than standard canes.
Table Hook Keep one in your bag so you can hang a cane or your bag from a restaurant table, making it less likely that you’ll forget it but also keeping it safe and accessible.
Travel these days can be anxiety inducing for anyone. But if you have RA, simplifying, planning ahead, and being willing to accept some assistance from your travel companions and even those around you can help you make the most of your trip.
Additional reporting by Deborah Shapiro.
