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Gadgets for wonky hands?

(31 Posts)
Yammy Sat 11-Mar-23 09:17:53

I have a jar key that breaks the airlock on jar tops that lets the top be turned easier. Also, a ring pull a piece of plastic you put through a cans ring pull roll and it peels away the top.
I keep a simple pair of nutcrackers in the kitchen drawer great for opening bottles with metal caps.
A plastic funnel for filling the pepper /salt grinders or an envelope with the corner cut off to make a funnel.
Like someone up post rubber gloves give a better grip or get rid of wasps.

Redhead56 Sat 11-Mar-23 09:03:32

I have the same problem and use a lot of the tips and advice given here already. I use a small rolling pin that is meant for pasta it’s easier to use than a regular one. I use a fork to pull the ring pulls from tins otherwise I can’t open them. Pop the lid of jars with a small paring knife before twisting open it helps take the lid off. I have two grabbers bought from B&M I think very useful around house and garden.
I had raised veg beds built which was to make gardening a bit easier. I buy smaller but good quality gardening tools meant for young gardeners. They are not cheap but extremely useful and have a little strap for putting around my wrist Harrod Horticultural I couldn't garden without them.

Lexisgranny Sat 11-Mar-23 07:48:43

Not really a gadget, but more if a useful tip…………. If you need to wring out a dishcloth, for example, loop it round your kitchen tap and twist the loose ends round and round. You are obviously using your painful hands, but the results are better and quicker than what you could achieve with the more traditional method.

I was advised to do this when in hospital over 40 years ago when first diagnosed with RA. Also, I wonder if you are resting your hands in the rather fetching black “mittens” which you will get through the hospital. I find these really useful. Years ago they were ugly beige things with Velcro fastenings and metal strips , but now they are tight fitting, stretchy black material with a zip.

I would recommend an electric tin opener, but with any knife or gadget with a handle, go for the chunkiest one, slimmer ones are more difficult to grip - they tend to send my hands into a spasm. I would also endorse everything recommended by lixy, I have found that the simplest solutions are often the best.

Arthritis is cruel and particularly frustrating in the hands.

kittylester Sat 11-Mar-23 07:27:17

There is a brilliantly named site called 'Granny Gets a Grip'. I'm not sure there is much there but I love the name.

lixy Sat 11-Mar-23 06:33:50

That must be very frustrating.
I put my Marigolds on to open jars. They give me much more grip and don't slip off like the gadgets do.
Similarly I wrap a tea towel around a knife handle to give me a better grip, and another tea towel under a chopping board to stop it sliding around.

I'm sure others will be along with tried and tested gadgets -these are just my 'make do and mend' solutions.

BigBertha1 Sat 11-Mar-23 06:19:58

Can you please recommend and gadgets/tools you find helpful for arthritic hands? I now drop everything, cannot open anything or cut anything. Thankyou.