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Opening jars, with arthritic hands

(67 Posts)
BigBertha1 Wed 23-Aug-23 09:29:06

I've ordered mine so it should come from Amazon today or tomorrow. Quite exciting I hate asking for help.

annodomini Wed 23-Aug-23 09:27:55

Ever since I got a jar key (and I now have three!) I haven't needed a man grin

Oreo Wed 23-Aug-23 09:27:42

My Mum has a simple gadget from Lakeland, it looks like a small plastic doily (sp?) and it works brilliantly.

25Avalon Wed 23-Aug-23 09:24:16

Jar key looks good Canalboatgranma, fits any jar, and only about a fiver to buy. I’m going to get one. Thanks for suggesting.

Arlme Wed 23-Aug-23 08:53:00

Canalboatgranma

Hi, I have a device called a Jar Key, it looks like a bottle opener. You put it against the edge of the jar and it releases the pressure which then makes it easier to open the jar. They seem universally available, eBay, Amazon etc.

Second the jar key it is absolutely brilliant.

Oldnproud Wed 23-Aug-23 08:09:31

Try what I did a couple of years ago, after everything else I could think of had failed to open the jar of sauce in my hand - I waited until I saw my male neighbour walking up our shared path towards his door, rushed out to meet him with a big smile on my face and joyfully declared "I'm so glad you are here - I really need a man.
For the few seconds it took for him to realize that I wasn't about to jump into his arms and ask him to marry me, his expression was priceless. 😁

sarahcyn Wed 23-Aug-23 08:03:47

wildswan16

I saw a lady leaving the supermarket recently. She stopped to chat to the security guard at the door. Then one by one handed him her marmalade, honey and a couple of other items. He cheerfully opened them and then replaced the lid for her.

Perfect! Everyone is happy including the security guard who feels useful for once.

wildswan16 Wed 23-Aug-23 08:00:07

I saw a lady leaving the supermarket recently. She stopped to chat to the security guard at the door. Then one by one handed him her marmalade, honey and a couple of other items. He cheerfully opened them and then replaced the lid for her.

Oopsadaisy1 Wed 23-Aug-23 08:00:02

I put on my Marigolds it helps to get a grip.
MissOops has Erosive Arthritis in her hands and had a visit from a specialist nurse who (amongst other things) gave her a length of a silicone like material which she had cut to lengths to use to grip lids. The person who came went over her home and made suggestions of other items that she can buy or have fitted to make her life a bit easier.
However lids are sooooooo tight that even MrOops has difficulties.

Allsorts Wed 23-Aug-23 06:35:02

Ive one of those but it nearly flew through the window last week after trying to'open a jar.,I put the jar in very hot water lid down, then it comes off. As for bleach, I get a knife, wearing protective clothing and over the sink, prize the top with a knife, unless my gd comes and she does it,

MayBee70 Wed 23-Aug-23 06:29:24

I was house sitting at my daughters last week and she had a bottle of gherkins in the fridge. I really fancied one of those gherkins but could I get the top off the jar! I also have a problem with jars I’ve bought in the past that I’ve never been able to open. The just sit in the larder for years because I don’t know what to do with them! It’s usually something like sauerkraut…

HelterSkelter1 Wed 23-Aug-23 06:22:07

It's not your hands that's the problem, everything seems to be tightly screwed on. I have to hit the lid of a plastic pot of Waitrose vitamin D tablets with a heavy lump hammer on the back step to break it open. Not suggesting you do that with a glass jar of course. It's so frustrating. A bottle of bleach is defeating me at the moment. Talk about child friendly things....I want adult friendly.

BigBertha1 Wed 23-Aug-23 04:03:04

Oh thank you I'm going to get one of those. I can't open anything now and if DH is not around I just have to wait until he is.

Callistemon21 Tue 22-Aug-23 22:55:56

You could tap all around the edges of the lid with the back of a knife.

Or buy one of these:

Charleygirl5 Tue 22-Aug-23 22:31:15

I find that hot water is insufficient- it has to be boiling water and then of course I have to make sure I do not scald myself.

Canalboatgranma Tue 22-Aug-23 22:25:05

Hi, I have a device called a Jar Key, it looks like a bottle opener. You put it against the edge of the jar and it releases the pressure which then makes it easier to open the jar. They seem universally available, eBay, Amazon etc.

HurdyGurdy Tue 22-Aug-23 22:05:24

I really fancied a roast beef and horseradish sandwich for lunch today.

All fine, until I tried to open the new jar of horseradish sauce.

I have almost no grip in my hands, so couldn't open it with just my hands. I tried running hot water over the lid, I tried both of the gadgets I have for opening jars, but I couldn't squeeze the jaws tight enough to move the lid.

I tried tapping the edge of the lid on the worktop, and I tried piercing the lid to release the pressure.

But ultimately, I think it's just down to my useless hands.

I do struggle a lot with using my hands (holding a toothbrush or hairbrush, for example, or moving pans around the cooker), but I can usually work around it.

But today just overwhelmed me and I ended up just sobbing in frustration. I ended up with roast beef and wholegrain mustard (which was an already opened jar), which was nice - but just not what I'd looked forward to.

Has anyone got any ideas on how I can open jars in future or a "wouldn't manage without it" gadget to recommend, please?