21 Gifts for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Special gifts for people with rheumatoid arthritis / rheumatoid disease – UPDATED

People asked me for years to publish a gift guide for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) / disease (RD). The past few months I thought about what the best gifts for people with rheumatoid arthritis are anyway. We appreciate the same loving gifts as anyone else. But there are also gifts that could show special concern and kindness. Here are a few gifts that say “I understand it’s so difficult and painful for you to live with RA / RD every single day.” It was hard to edit my list to 20, so I’m sure I left out some great ones. Please add your suggestions in a comment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely thoughtful gifts for people with rheumatoid arthritis

1. Handmade Crystal Rhinestone Pill Case

A pillbox with bling! Bling is awesome. Pills all day are not. Might as well make the best of it and have a pretty pillbox!

 

 

 

 

2. Herbal Neck Wrap with Free Eye Pillow & Free Sleep Mask – Microwave or Freeze with Organic Herbs – Light Blue – Flax seed pillow

1. Comfortable pillow with 12 healing herb blend features the pleasant aroma of Peppermint, Spearmint, Rosemary, Lemon Grass, Cinnamon, Lavender, White Willow, Yarrow, Saw Palmetto, Yellow Dock Root, Valerian, and Flax Seed
2. Warm it up in the microwave for natural moist heat therapy.
3. Or chill it in the freezer for soothing cool therapy.
4. Free Lavender Eye Pillow & Free Sleep Mask.

 

 

3. Stretch Ring

1. Many with swollen RA hands can wear a stretch ring as a more comfortable option, instead of to giving up rings. Great for special occasions.
2. 5mm freshwater pearls with gorgeous color
3. Other colors available.

 

 

 

 

4. Flare zone nightlight

1. Caution sign with orange cone spreads awareness of chronic illness with fun.
2. Great gift for anyone with an illness like rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Light bulb included.

5. I Got Stronger pillow

1. 16-inch square pillow made of soft, heavy weight stretch material.
2. Warrior inspired heart design with text of Celtic scrolls and original fonts in fun vintage colors.

6. Hug me gently mug
The name says it all. Remembering gentle hugs are needed may be one of the best medicines for RD.

 

 

7. Personalized Pill Box with Eagle, Name and Year, Red

Lightweight pill box to tuck in a purse or pocket. I use several sizes of pill boxes so I don’t have to carry more than I need.

1. Waterproof aluminum pill caddy.
2. Personalized with your name at no extra charge.
3. Available with more colors and designs.

 

Homemade by you gifts

8. Microwave rice sock

Years ago I made these for gifts. We used them a lot and they last a long time. And they are cheap.

1. You can customize them with a cute or really long sock.
2. You can add whatever fragrance or herb you’d like to enhance the experience.
3. The sock can also go in the freezer to become a cool pack.

Here are some instructions you can start with when creating your own rice sock.

9. Coupon for a free meal, childcare, or house cleaning

You’ve seen these before, but you can kick it up a notch.

1. Make the coupon for something you know the loved one with RA won’t (or can’t) purchase for himself / herself.
2. You can even print out beautiful personalized coupons.
3. Put them on the fridge after opening so they can’t be lost.

10. Gift certificate for a foot rub or massage

Use a handmade gift certificate as a gift tag for a lotion or “arthritis” heat rub. Write something sweet like this: “As long as this bottle lasts, you can use it with this certificate for gentle rubs free of charge. Kisses cost extra.”

Topnotch practical gifts

11. GelPro Elite Linen Floor Mat

This is a top of the line version: GelPro Elite is 50% thicker than GelPro Classic. There are no words to describe how much this helps someone with RA feet. My mom bought me several of these over the years. I’ve used them in kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom.

1. $20 Off coupon right below the price
2. Dual Comfort Core technology reduces stress, fatigue, and pain
3. Color and size options to suit your space

Note: there is a cheaper lighter duty version of the GelPro mats if the Elite is just too much.

12. Cosmonaut – Wide-Grip Stylus

A more high-end long lasting quality stylus with a wide grip.

Good features for RA hands:

1. Comfortable rubber grip designed to be like a dry erase marker.
2. Stylus tip is responsive and glides effortlessly over the glass screen which means less effort for your hands.
3. For when you need to use a stylus on touch screens, this is highly rated for comfort, and even drawing on tablet screens.

13. Kolumbo Umbrellas – “Unbreakable” See 90 sec Video – Windproof For Rain/Snow – Perfect Gift For Men and Women – Gift Box

I’ve searched a long time for the perfect RA umbrella – and this may be it.

Reasons it’s awesome

1. Auto open AND auto close with one button.
2. Unbreakable with unbelievable lifetime guarantee.
3. Compact when folded, but opens to golf umbrella size canopy.

 

 

14. IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves

Compression gloves provide mild compression to help control or decrease swelling of the joints. I like wearing these to drive. They do help with swelling. I do wish they covered the DIP joints (near the fingertips), but I haven’t seen any arthritis gloves that do.

TIPS:

1. I sleep in these. It helps.
2. I like using these gloves underneath wrist or thumb braces, especially when I have to do something really hard like drive a long distance.
3. It might be good to have TWO sizes of gloves. I have the small, but there are times I can’t get them on because my hands are too swollen. So, I could use a medium pair as well.

15. Village Naturals Therapy Aches & Pains Muscle Relief Mineral Bath Soak 20 Oz (3-pack)

I’ve used this bath salt for years and it’s so wonderful. If getting in and out of the tub were easier, I’d use this every day!

1. Bath salts are supposed to help reduce inflammation, but this one has the added ingredients of eucalyptus, spearmint, and menthol to soothe, comfort, and revive aching joints.
2. You can get these a little cheaper at Wal-Mart if you can find them. The online price has shipping included.

 

16. Sistema 10.9 Cup Rice Steamer Bowl

 

I LOVE this thing! It is a great idea. I use it for broccoli and green beans too. You can cook any veggies in it.

1. Very lightweight and easy to hold and clean.
2. Cooks any rice or grain. Recipes for stews and more included in manual.
3. More shapes, colors, and sizes available.

 

 

17. Closed-Cell Foam Tubing

 

Use this foam tubing to modify utensils and tools that you love but are hard to hold onto.

Cut to fit and slide onto a handle for a larger softer handle that is easier to grip.

 

 

18. Fosmon Youth Series Kids Stylus Pen

 

1. Stylus pens with a thick grip that is easier to handle and hold.
2. Inexpensive, fun crayon design in 5 vibrant colors

 

 

 

 

19. Geddes Get A Grip Pen Assortment

 

1. Thicker pens are easier to hold when you must write by hand or provide a signature.
2. Lightweight and inexpensive so you can carry one in your purse (like I do) for when you have to write or sign something.
3. These pens have a comfortable cushioned grip over the entire barrel allows you to hold the pen in the best way for you.

 

20. Trim Easy Hold Fingernail Clipper

 

Best features for RD:

1. Easy to hold because it’s larger than other clippers and has a rubberized grip.
2. Sharp precision ground cutting edge.
3. Catches nail trimmings – impossible to pickup with #rheum fingers!

 

 

21. EasiTwist Jar Opener, Assorted Colors

Patented jar opener that’s a big help with RA. I have this. I love it! And so do family members who don’t have RA.

Best features for RD:

1. Easy grip handle design with rubbery texture
2. Designed to fit virtually any size lid or cap
3. The design helps creates leverage that makes opening any lid easier

The only time I have trouble is when I don’t have either hand good enough to hold a jar still. Then, I ask for help to hold the jar. In that case, you could consider an electric jar opener found here.

The perfect gifts for people with rheumatoid arthritis

It’s not that hard to find great gifts for people with rheumatoid arthritis / disease. I think my list could have a hundred items. Hopefully there’s something here that will work for you or a loved one with RD, or these will inspire you to think of just the perfect gift.

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Updated 12/1/17