6 Best Arthritis Gloves and Hand Supports for Seniors

They make many people's hands feel more comfortable, mainly through warmth. In the A-GLOVES trial, compression gloves relieved hand pain and stiffness no better than loose gloves of similar warmth, so compression itself did not seem to be what helped. The American College of Rheumatology says gloves may help by providing warmth and compression but makes no formal recommendation for them.

For most older adults, open-finger gloves with gentle, stated compression and soft seams, like our isotoner pick. Cotton IMAK gloves suit sensitive skin and night wear, and full-finger gloves suit cold hands. Choose a size from the maker's palm measurement chart.

Many people do, and the warmth can ease morning stiffness. A soft, mildly compressive cotton glove such as IMAK is a good choice for night wear, and stop if your fingers tingle, swell or go numb.

The best evidence is the A-GLOVES trial in people with rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis, which found compression gloves no better than loose gloves for pain and stiffness at 12 weeks, though both groups improved. They are safe to try for comfort, but they do not replace the treatment your rheumatologist prescribes.

A thumb splint (hand orthosis), which the American College of Rheumatology strongly recommends for arthritis of the thumb's base joint. A low-profile CMC brace like the PUSH MetaGrip supports the joint while leaving the fingers free. Heat, hand exercises and easy-grip tools also help.

There is no good evidence the copper does anything. A randomised trial in people with osteoarthritis found copper bracelets no better than a dummy. A copper glove may still help through warmth and a comfortable fit, like any other glove.

Heat is conditionally recommended for hand osteoarthritis, so warm gloves can help stiff hands. But battery-heated gloves can get hot (some reach well over 130 degrees F on the highest setting), so choose one with an auto shut-off, use the lowest comfortable setting, and avoid them if you have diabetes, neuropathy or reduced feeling in the hands.

The American College of Rheumatology conditionally recommends paraffin for hand osteoarthritis as a way of applying heat. Many people use it to loosen stiff fingers before exercises. Test the temperature first, and do not use it with reduced feeling in the hands unless a doctor agrees.

Measure around or across your palm just below the knuckles, as the maker's chart says, and choose from that. Compression gloves should feel snug, not painful: deep marks, tingling or colour change mean they are too tight.

Fingerless gloves leave the fingertips free for buttons, pages and pill bottles, which suits most daily wear. Full-finger gloves keep the finger joints warmer and are better outdoors in the cold or in bed.