How to Help Someone with Arthritis During Winter

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In the UK, more than 10 million people live with arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. While it affects people all year round, many find their symptoms worsen in winter. If you care for a loved one with arthritis, the colder months can be especially challenging, but with the right support, comfort, and care, you can make a real difference to their daily life.

Whether you’re helping an elderly parent or supporting a friend, this guide explains how cold weather and arthritis are connected, and what practical steps you can take to ease discomfort, maintain mobility, and offer meaningful support.

Arthritis in Cold Weather

Many people living with arthritis say they can “feel the weather in their bones”, and science supports this. Cold temperatures and changes in barometric pressure can cause joint tissues to contract and expand, increasing stiffness and pain. Add to that the natural tendency to be less active in winter, and symptoms can quickly become more difficult to manage.

Here are some common signs that arthritis may be worsening in cold weather:

• Increased joint stiffness, particularly in the morning
• Swelling and inflammation in fingers, knees, and other joints
• Aching or throbbing sensations when it’s cold or damp
• Difficulty staying active or sleeping comfortably

Lower temperatures can also reduce blood flow, which adds to discomfort. For many, it becomes harder to keep warm, maintain independence, and complete everyday tasks, all of which can take a toll on wellbeing.

What Helps with Arthritis During Winter

While we can’t control the weather, there’s plenty we can do to help someone manage their arthritis more comfortably through the colder months. From lifestyle tips to environmental changes and supportive equipment, here’s how to help arthritis stay under control this winter.

Help Them Keep Warm and Active

One of the most effective ways to reduce stiffness is to keep joints warm and moving. Encourage gentle daily exercise, such as walking, swimming or stretching, which helps maintain flexibility and reduce inflammation. Activities like yoga or tai chi can also improve balance and reduce stress on the joints.

To help them stay warm:

• Suggest wearing thermal layers or heated gloves
• Encourage the use of a hot water bottle on sore joints
• Help them plan indoor movement routines if it’s icy outside

Even small movements throughout the day can help. And when paired with warmth, it’s a powerful combination for easing arthritis symptoms.

Keep Their Home Environment Comfortable

When the weather turns, a warm, accessible home can make all the difference. Consider these practical changes to support someone with arthritis:

• Keep rooms heated to a comfortable temperature
• Use draught excluders or thicker curtains to retain heat
• Place grip handles in key areas such as bathrooms or hallways

Also consider their daily routine, can you make the home easier to navigate? Can you remove tripping hazards? Ensuring your loved one’s home is safe makes life easier for them, and it reduces the chance of unexpected bumps and falls.

Foods That Help Arthritis

A healthy diet can play a key role in reducing inflammation and improving joint health. Oily fish that are rich in omega-3s, greens that are high in antioxidants, seeds and nuts and olive oil can all help contribute to a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet, suitable for support and wellbeing during the colder months.

Embrace Mobility Furniture

When joint pain is at its worst during winter, having the right furniture can offer real relief. Mobility furniture is specifically designed to reduce strain on the body, improve posture and support independent living, all of which are especially important for people living with arthritis.

Grosvenor Mobility’s riser recliner chairs offer more than just comfort. Our models come with the option to feature built-in heat and massage functions, which can be particularly effective at easing stiff, aching joints during the colder months. The gentle heat helps to warm the muscles and surrounding tissues, improving circulation and making joints feel more supple. This is especially helpful when cold weather causes the body to tense up or restricts blood flow to the hands and feet.

Meanwhile, the massage function works to relax tight muscles and ease the sensation of stiffness that’s so common with arthritis. This combination of warmth and movement can bring real day-to-day comfort, helping to reduce pain and promote relaxation throughout the body.

Our riser recliner chairs also include powered lift and recline features. These make it easier to move from sitting to standing without putting excess pressure on the knees, hips or back, a small change that can make a big difference to someone’s confidence and mobility during winter.

For someone helping a relative or friend with arthritis, recommending a mobility chair with these features can be a meaningful, practical step in supporting them throughout winter and beyond. With our free home trial, you can test how the chair fits the individual’s size, space and comfort needs before committing.