23% of all adults in the US have arthritis. That is more than 54 million people. As a result, there are many people who find their everyday activities restricted by pain and physical limitations. Fortunately, there are some great gadgets available to make life easier for seniors.
In this guide, we will look at five of the most popular types of arthritis aids.
1. Electric Can Openers
When your hands get swollen, it can be painful to get a grip on certain objects. Whilst your can of corn might sit neatly in your hand, it can be a challenge to hold your can opener. It is even harder to use it.
Fortunately, there are now electric can openers that will do the job for you. With some you will need to clip the gadget onto the can first, but others are free-standing. You simply attach the can to the device, and at the press of a button it will cut through the cap.
With one of these in your kitchen, mealtimes will be much less painful affairs.
2. Reach Extenders
Arthritis can leave you feeling sore. This discomfort can make it difficult to reach down to pick up things you may have dropped. Sometimes you need to get something off the top shelf, but your arms are just too stiff. An extra hand around the house might be helpful.
Failing that, why not buy a longer arm? That may sound silly, but there are some handy tools available that make picking things up much easier. Lightweight reach extenders may look like trash grabbers, but they are actually super useful around the house. Rather than bending over and making your joints ache, you can instead simply point your stick and squeeze the handle.
Some even come with magnets to make picking up small objects even easier.
3. Specialized Utensils
Sometimes your cooking and eating utensils come with slippery, thin handles. These simply are not user-friendly when it comes to stiff, arthritic hands. Your fingers might not be able to close around them, and you may lose your grip whilst trying to eat.
It is comforting to know, then, that there are some specialized kitchen tools available. Though they might not look particularly pretty, they will be wonderful for your hands. Mealtimes will be easier than ever before. Many brands are even adjustable for optimum comfort.
Even better, they are also dishwasher safe. You will not have to strain yourself washing them by hand.
4. Zipper Pullers
Small things like buttons and zips can become particularly tricky for stiff fingers. It can be hard to get a proper grip, and as a result it can be both painful and time-consuming to get dressed. Some days you may choose to wear something more for convenience than style.
With a helpful zipper puller, you can make getting dressed so much easier. You simply hook your zipper and pull it up, saving you the trouble of fighting to get a grip. Some even come with a tool for slipping buttons into their holes.
A zipper puller means that style does not have to be painful.
5. Seat Cushions
We know that not all arthritic pain is in your fingers. Sometimes it might be your knees or your back that are giving you grief. On days like this you might find it hard to sit comfortably or stand up. There is little worse than being in pain all day from something as simple as sitting.
As we have shown throughout this article, nowadays there are solutions for everything. While it may sound simple enough to just throw a cushion onto your chair, there are specialized ones available for those with health problems. Some are simple cushions designed to support your weight just right. Others are completely adjustable and can be used to give you a small boost when standing up.
Useful seats like this will make getting around the house so much easier.
Bonus Entry: Medical Alert Alarms
A Medical Alert Alarm may not make living with arthritis any easier, but it will give you peace of mind if you have an accident around the house. If you fall and cannot get up, or lose your grip on something and cut yourself, help is just a button-press away.
Our alarm systems are easy to set up, and give you access to a 24-Hour Care Team. Our wonderful people are available all year round, ready to provide all the help you need. This also includes sending the emergency services to your aid, if necessary.
To learn more about our Medical Alert Alarms, contact us here and our customer service team will get in touch to answer any questions you may have.
Disclaimer: Direct Medical Alert are in no way affiliated with any of the companies, brands, products or articles linked above. They are used as examples only.