I'm not very good at giving advice,especially about something i don't know alot about (like this). But,i googled it and i found this site that has some info on Progressive Degenerative Osteoarthritis:
Medinfo: Osteoarthritis
Hope it helps a bit.
And about what you said about the homeschooling to take care of your mom was sweet,i would do the same.
My grandpa has sorta bad arthritis,mostly in his knees.It has gotten alot better over the years,mostly because he keeps active.He has had i few surgeries which i think have helped.He used to have to walk with a cane,but he doesn't anymore.I don't even think it bothers him any more,or if it does maybe only for a day or two and then he's fine.