When your joints hurt and it's painful to fix a meal it's easy to let yourself eat poorly. A poor diet will only make things worse when you have arthritis. It's a much better idea to make your kitchen enjoyable to use again. Here are several things you can do to get back in your kitchen with less pain:

1. Rearrange

Your kitchen is probably set up pretty much as it was the day you moved in. Things have changed, and rearranging for utility should now be tops on your list. Move the things you use every day to cabinets and drawers between your knees and shoulders in height. It's too painful to reach, stretch and bend, and lifting things from high shelves can be dangerous when your grip isn't strong. If you can, get someone to help you with this chore. It only has to be done once.

2. Use Easy-Open Food Storage

Twist ties and press to close food storage bags are too hard to use if your fingers and wrists are swollen and painful. Switch to the zipper bags. They may cost a little more, but they're worth every penny. Replace those plastic containers with the tight lids to some with easy-open lids. Put your flour, sugar and other staples in easy-open containers and keep your pretty but heavy glass or ceramic cannisters for decoration only.

3. Invest In Some Ergonomic Tools & Equipment

Pick up a vegetable peeler, spatula, kitchen knife and big spoon with big easy-grip handles. If you have a few extra dollars buy a rocker knife and a special cutting board so you can cut one-handed with the palm of your hand. Use pots and pans with double handles so you can support their weight with both hands. Ask for some of these things for your birthday and other holidays. You know your family is always looking for ideas.

4. Use Electricity

Opening jars, cans and bottrles can be ultra-painful when you have arthritis. Use an electric can opener. Under the counter jar openers let you use one hand without painful twisting. Electric ones don't require even require one hand. Lightweight mixers substitute for your fingers, arms and wrists when things need to be stirred. You'll eat better if you can actually get at and mix your food.

5. Use That Old Crockpot

You can make enough in one sitting for several meals and you only dirty one pot. You can let it bubble away on the counter near the sink, so you won't have to move it far when you clean up. If you use pre-cut meats and vegetables you'll have a practically painless meal. Be sure to let the pot soak overnight to make cleanup easier.

6. Put On An Apron

An apron with large pockets is invaluable when you can't carry much without pain. Put your spices, tools, and ingredients in the pockets and you'll only have to make one trip to your prep area. A carpenter's apron works well for this purpose if you don't have any old pocket aprons, or if you're a man who doesn't care for frills. Keep several, as they'll get dirty.

7. Sit Down

Whenever possible, sit on a stool while you work. A stool that's tall enough to allow you to work sitting down will spare your legs, back and feet. Stay away from stools that roll because it's too easy for the stool to roll out from under you as you're sitting down.

8. Use Your Food Processor

A simple food processor will do all the painful little prep jobs like mixing, shredding, slicing and dicing, so use one whenever you can. If you need to buy one, make sure you can change all the parts easily and that everything is dishwasher safe.

9. Use a Rolling Trolley

Move things from stove to counter to table on a rolling trolley and you won't have to carry a thing. This can be a godsend when you have hot serving dishes going to the table or your dishes are heavy. Use it to clear things back to the sink and refrigerator, too. Make sure your trolley top can handle hot things.

10. Ditch the Throw Rugs

They can look nice, and some people think they make standing at the sink a little easier, but they are a real trip hazard. If you haven't already caught a toe in your rug, you will. You don't want to be tripping and spilling hot food all over yourself or, heaven forbid, break a knee or a hip.

When you or a loved one have problems doing common, everyday things because of a health issue, a little information and a few resources can go a long way to making life more enjoyable...in the kitchen and everywhere else. There is a wealth of information about aging and elder care at The Eldercare Team. Come visit. It's Free.