According to the Arthritis Foundation, one in five American adults has been diagnosed with some type of arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease leading to degradation of the joints which can eventually impact mobility and create difficulty in performing normal household and self-care tasks. Fortunately, a wide variety of gadgets and household tools for arthritis are available to increase mobility and independence.
Kitchen Tools
The kitchen is a place where loss of strength and mobility in the hands may limit activities for those with arthritis. Container openers including mounted jar openers, tools for opening bottles, electric jar openers, self-run can openers and flip tab tools can help the arthritis sufferer open virtually any type of food container, even with limited mobility and strength. Ergonomic kitchen utensils such as knives, vegetable peelers and silverware have large, rubberized handles to more comfortably fit into the hand. Easy-open scissors spring back on their own, allowing for those with limited flexibility to use them. Pole-type grabbers can help when loss of mobility of the shoulders prevents lifting of the arms over the head. Specially designed poles that have grabbing ends can allow items from high shelves to be easily and safely obtained. Grabbers are also helpful to those who are confined to wheelchairs due to hip, back or knee arthritis.
Bath Tools
The bath can be a dangerous and embarrassing place for those with arthritis due to the potential for injury and need for assistance. Bath aids such as rails, chairs and anti-slip mats can make bathing much safer, allowing for greater independence. Tools such as long handed scrubbers help promote privacy with self bathing ability. Toilet attachments can raise the level of the toilet seat or include arms around the toilet area to promote stability. Several types of dressing and grooming aids promote independence by allowing for reaching of socks, closing of zippers and buttons, and even for the closing of complicated jewelry clasps.
Outside Tools
Arthritis often means a loss of ability to perform joyful activities such as gardening, travel and may even limit the ability to open doors. Items such as door levers and key turners may help to get in and out of the house, while gardening implements such as specialty arthritis gloves, rake extenders and levers for water faucets may allow a return to hobbies. Arthritis aids such as swiveling car seats, seat belt handles, gas cap turners and ignition starters may allow for a return to the use of an automobile.
