22 Tips and Gadgets for Traveling When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis

When you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), symptoms like joint pain and stiffness can make traveling difficult. Zipping and unzipping luggage is difficult 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, an occupational therapist who was the manager of the Older Driver Initiative at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 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

You may already have figured out some helpful methods and tools to help manage RA pain and other symptoms in your day-to-day life. But you may need a different set of aids for when you’re traveling. A good place to start is to consult an occupational therapist (OT) who works with patients who have rheumatoid arthritis or has other RA experience. 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 tailored to your trip. For instance, they can teach you how to conserve energy during active portions of your travel, or share basic joint protection strategies for situations you might not be planning for. These tips can be 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.

5 RA-Friendly Packing 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Four-Wheel 360-Degree-Direction Bags Suitcases like this are easier to maneuver because you can push or pull them. If your luggage is on the heavier side, ask for help to get it 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.
4. 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.”
5. Packing Cubes Use smaller mesh bags or structured cubes to keep your items organized and findable in your suitcase, and to make unpacking at the hotel a breeze, saving your energy for more enjoyable activities.

6 Features to Protect Your Joints While You Drive

Whether you’re renting a car or taking your own on a road trip, 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 the AOTA and AARP. It hosts local events and virtual workshops, providing information and resources to help ensure you have the proper fit inside your own vehicle to stay safe and comfortable.

1. 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 your rental isn’t equipped with heated seats, you can purchase heated seat covers.
2. 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.
3. Seat Slide This helps 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.
4. Lumbar Support Many cars have lumbar support built in, notes Schold Davis. Alternatively, you can place a rolled towel or firm pillow behind your lower back for support while sitting in the car.
5. 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, as well as 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.
6. Keyless Entry and Starter If your vehicle didn’t come with these, you can get after-market add-ons.

5 Tools to Make Air Travel RA-Friendly

When it comes to traveling by air, these essentials can help you navigate the airport and stay comfortable throughout your flight.

1. Get Through Security Faster 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.
2. Line Up Support Ahead of Time Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Airlines and airports offer disability services that don’t cost extra and 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.
3. Neck Pillow Consider adding a shoulder strap to carry a neck pillow with you, instead of packing it in your bag, so it’s easier to access when you need it. And even though inflatable pillows pack down easily, these aren’t recommended if you have respiratory problems, and fiddling with the valve can be difficult.
4. Hand and Foot Warmers Sometimes the temperature on airplanes can be quite cool. Pack extra hand and foot warmers to help keep your joints from getting cold and stiff.
5. Compression Gloves and Socks Wear compression socks and gloves 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.”

3 Tips to 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.

1. 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 because the availability of these rooms may be limited.
2. Light Exercise Equipment It’s important for people who have RA to keep up exercise to maintain flexibility and muscle strength. If you are traveling to a hotel, find out if they have an exercise room equipped with stationary bikes and elliptical trainers, or ask if they offer any equipment that can be brought to your room. You can also take along easy-to-pack equipment such as resistance bands, or Schold Davis suggests using water bottles as weights.
3. Rubber Jar Opener Even if you don’t have to open jars, you can use this type of tool for tasks such as turning sink handles, twisting doorknobs, and opening sliding glass doors. Keep one in your bag, but if you forget, a damp washcloth can also provide friction, notes Schold Davis.

3 Travel-Friendly Mobility Aids

Invest in these gadgets to stay ahead of fatigue and give yourself the opportunity to rest your joints as needed, rather than being tempted to push through. “You can end up being out the whole next day,” says Schold Davis. “Or you can’t go to dinner because you’re too tired.”

1. Canes With Seats This type of cane has a fold-down seat you can take advantage of 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.
2. Folding Canes Because these are lighter and smaller to pack and carry than standard canes, you can easily stash one in a backpack or trunk to make sure you always have one on hand.
3. Table Hook Pack this in your bag to make an instant hook on the edge of a restaurant table that you can hang a cane or your purse. This makes it less likely that you’ll forget your items while also keeping them safe and in easy reach.

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.