Helpful Gadgets

What are your favorites?

By Annette Beach

With arthritis, one of the hardest obstacles to overcome are the limitations and lack of physical abilities for everyday living. Range of motion is a constant challenge.

My shoulders are severely affected, causing extreme limitations. Before my first two shoulder replacements, I was not able to touch the top of my head; and even after surgery, it took years. When I factor in fused wrists and artificial elbows, my abilities remain limited

Over the years, I’ve invented ways of coping and doing things in a non-traditional manner. My biggest claim to fame was doing my hair with salad tongs. Because I was not able to touch my head, I used salad tongs as my fingers and hands. (At one time, I was able to use a curling iron using tongs.) Probably the item I use the most is a bent clothes hanger that buttons jeans, closes zippers and pushes pockets into place.

When gardening, I carry plants and tools in a five-gallon bucket. While planting, I turn the bucket over and use it as a seat. It allows me to reach in all directions, keep my balance, avoid straining my legs and rest when necessary. Not to mention, it’s at a good height to get up and down.

There are many businesses and occupational therapists offering adaptive equipment to make life a bit easier. One of the best items I’ve purchased was a transfer bench for the bathtub and shower. If you have difficulty stepping into a tub or had surgery on your lower extremities, this is worth the investment. It’s similar to a shower bench, but it has two legs in the tub and two legs outside of it; providing a safe way to transfer in and out and shower and bathe

What items do you use the most? Have you invented a tool or device that helps with activities of daily living? Do you know of adaptive equipment that you would not recommend? If so, why?