Arthritis

Hi

i had just been up the hospital with my mum and she has been told by the doctor she has arthritis. She was getting pains in her sides and leg going all the way down. I reckon my mum has had it for a long time.
She works as a laundry assistant and the doctor said is it not late for you to change jobs but you need to take it easy for the next week.
My mum was getting pains in her rists etc.
Anybody got this and could they tell how they cope with it or if a relative how do they help them?
She has still got to go to ther gp telling the doctor she been told she got it by the hospital.