There are many products available to make living with arthritis easier. Therapists call them adaptive devices, or ADL’s, which stands for Aids to Daily Living. Some of these products you may have heard of, others you may not have. If you have arthritis, diminished mobility or strength or other health conditions and don’t want to add more stress on your body, these are good things to have and use.
Here is the second half of my list of Top 10 Adaptive Devices for Arthritis:
- Long-Handled Reacher– Every household should have a long handled reacher. Whether you have arthritis, back pain, or need to reach the ceiling, a reacher should be a standard household tool. There is always a space between cupboards or next to the washer that something is certain to fall. A narrow, long handled reacher makes it easy to pick up the sock next to the dryer that would otherwise go into the “disappeared” pile, to grasp the envelope that slipped between your desk and the wall, to do yard clean up and to pull that roll of paper towel to the edge of a shelf that’s too high. When selecting a reacher, try to find one that requires all of your fingers to squeeze the trigger. They are easier to use.
- Bath Mitts – A wash mitt beats a wash cloth every time. Slip it on one hand, soap it up and you are done trying to keep a grip on the cloth and keep it soaped up. Simply switch hands as needed and bathing becomes less stressful for your hands, especially if you have arthritis. Combined with a bath chair, showering or bathing is safer and more comfortable and you have a few extra moments to just let the warm water soak sore joints and bones.
- Shower or Bath Chair – A simple seat or bath bench is ideal for relaxing and safe bathing. The model shown is foldable, so it is easy to take in and out of the tub or shower and can be stored out of the way if needed. Sitting makes bathing easier and safer and allows you to get a good relaxing soak.
- Stocking or Sock Aid – If you have arthritis, back pain or mobility problems and reaching your feet or holding open a sock is difficult, Sock Aids really do work. An aid with a flat bottom to allow your foot to slide in and out of easily is effective to use with every type of sock except really tight compression stockings.
- Work Gloves (with a gripping surface) – Gloves that have a silicone or rubber gripping surface make many tasks easier and safer. There are a variety of lightweight gloves that are easy to slip on and off. The gripping surface makes it easier to hold things so you apply less force and therefore less stress on your hands and arms. If your hand strength is diminished, gripper gloves make tasks such as slicing vegetables, using a screw gun or picking up heavy vases or books, easier and safer.
There are other well designed products that can be helpful and make it safer and less stressful for you to perform daily activities. When deciding what might be helpful to have in your home, or your car, ask yourself these questions:
1. Is this something that will help me do something I can’t really do anymore?
2. Will I use it regularly?
3. If my friends see me using this will they want one too?
If you answer yes to any of these questions – I suggest you buy it.
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Every homeowner should own those tools, not only for homeowners those tools also useful for every person who lives in a house. Thanks for your information.