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www.southernsenior.info 5 Work with an occupational therapist An occupational therapist can assess work and home situations and make recommendations on potential modifications to these spaces that might be right for your situation. The bathroom and kitchen typically are two spaces where people spend a lot of time and can be areas of focus. Having items at counter height; pur- chasing smaller sizes of products that are eas- ier to hold; avoiding bending down by using a grabber tool; and having a chair or stool nearby so that you can sit while doing an activity can help. Use smart devices The bevy of smart devices now available can work to your advantage. With the push of a but- ton on a phone app or through voice control, you can turn on lights, switch the thermostat or perform any other tasks programmed around the house. This can help when mobility is com- promised. Focus on kitchen tasks Meal preparation can be a chore when arthritis makes it painful. Rather than eating out all of the time, some tips can help. Utilize frozen fruit or vegetables that already are chopped and prepared to cut down on these tasks. Invest in lightweight cookware and dishes to simplify moving items around. Electric jar openers, kitchen scissors and even vegetable steamers that require less water are additional kitchen tools that can make life with arthritis a little eas- ier. Move your bedroom If climbing stairs repeatedly is problematic, move clothing or even your bedroom down- stairs to reduce trips up and down. Additional