Gadgets to help

[Treza42]

I also have problem opening things. Any ideas on things to buy to help opening normal things.. What do you all use?? Can't grab fantastically with my hands. Xx

[Hidden]

Hi. Do you mean jars/bottles etc? I have OA of my hands and use non slip fabric that you can buy in a roll to open everything. Other gadgets just don't work for me.

[Treza42 in reply to Hidden]

Yes. That's a good idea. Xxx

[Hidden]

Can opener, plastic u shaped ones that fit under ring pulls and you use whole hand to peel back lid, with minimal pressure. Also find plastic plug pulls really good and cheap: packs of 10. You can get jar opening little textured rubber squares from lakeland: actual jar openers rubbish as can't squeeze handles together.

[summer32]

Can get battery power jar and separate can opener from jml I. Can't do anything like any cans, jars, packets

[Shelley1701]

I have a roll of the non- slip matting. Just cut off a square. It's a lot better and cheaper than gadgets. Got it from Poundland.

[Ccrowlu]

I sometimes use a rubberband and a wrench I got in a cart storage thing, on bottles. I wrap it around the cap then use the wrench to twist it open. If your wrist is hurting too it’s not too much help but it’s better then nothing I guess

[AgedCrone]

After buying every gadget under the sun I eventually realised most gadgets need you to be able to grip the jar & apply pressure to operate them, then recently I was told to take the lid off a jar all you need to do is place the tip of a knife (blade should have round not pointed end) under the lid to break the seal & hey presto you can turn the lid easily.

For tins .......an old fashioned electric can opener is still my favourite.....admittedly you do have to be able to hold the tin, but that isn't usually the problem. I got my latest one in Morrisons Supermarket for under £10!

[Ccrowlu in reply to AgedCrone]

There are some that hold the can for you. For bigger cans you should hold your hand under it but for my own convenience my mom got me one for when I want cranberry’s or tuna and need to open a can and it has a magnet on the top to hold the can in place and spin it as well. Works wonders for me. Though I don’t know if they have that specific kind in the UK

[Neverending63 in reply to Ccrowlu]

I have one of those. Think I got it from amazon and I’m in the UK.

[Ccrowlu in reply to Neverending63]

That’s great to hear that’s it’s available everywhere then. One of the best investments my mom has ever made towards my benefit! Hope you enjoy it as much I as enjoy it lol

[helenlw7 in reply to Ccrowlu]

I have one too. I think it came from Argos but I’ve had it about ten years!

[AgedCrone in reply to Ccrowlu]

We probably do Ccrowlu, but electric gadgets in UK are much more expensive than in the US...my can opener has the magnet to hang on to the lid, but I do have to hold the can.

A lot of cans of Tuna over here now have a type of ring pull opener which are easier to use.

[Ccrowlu in reply to AgedCrone]

That’s what our nacho cheese cans use. Our tuna cans aren’t quite up to date lol.

[thelmar]

completecareshop.co.uk/kitc...

Lots of ideas on here.

Also if you search on this site you will find lots of ideas.

[nomoreheels]

Like thelmar I use Complete Care Shop a lot for bits & bobs. It used to be particularly handy because the warehouse was close to where I live so I could order & collect but they've moved to the NE now. I still use them though as they're usually cheaper than most. For the kitchen I still find a old rubber glove grippy enough for most jars as long as the heat seal has been broken but I'm going to try AgedCrone 's tip of using a rounded edge knife next time, thanks for that!

Have a look at Related Posts (top rh of page) for more posts re help & tips.

[AgedCrone in reply to nomoreheels]

An 18 year old told me that knife trick...... Live & learn!

[Susiebee31]

I can’t hold jars to use gadgets to remove lids at all. One of my children bought me a Russell Hobbs electric Gizmo which removes lids for you. I use my forarms to apply downward pressure on top of said gizmo and the machine grips the jar and turns it for you and then pop you hear the vacuum go and lids off. I love it and tell everyone just how good it is.

[AgedCrone in reply to Susiebee31]

I've got one of those, but the part that creeps in & grips the lid has stuck firmly in the smallest position.....any ideas how to release it?

[Susiebee31 in reply to AgedCrone]

I’ve got no idea mine’s never stuck. Is it still under guarantee. Could always give Russell Hobbs a ring. Sorry I don’t have a solution, it’s a wonderful gadget for me. I’d get another if it broke, mines at least 5 yrs old.

[AgedCrone in reply to Susiebee31]

Yes I found it very good until it stuck...it's a couple of years old now & I'm finding the knife tricks works!

Thank you for replying

[Mhairi54]

nrshealthcare.co.uk is an excellent reputable company. I'm an OT and know that this company is frequently used by OT depts/the NHS to buy small assistive devices.

You could try using these two items together to help you open jars - the 'Derby Spill Not Jar and Bottle Opener' along with a 'Dycem Jar Opener'. Dycem non-slip mats are amazing! You can buy it in all different forms. If they lose their stickiness after a while, all you need to do is stick it a basin of hot soapy water, give it a rub, then let it drip dry.

[Hidden]

I have a jar lid lifter that loosens the caps. I have a turner, rubber adjustable strap for tricky jars. I also have a can ring puller, great for flat cans of sardines. Small bottles are the worse for me, sometimes if there is no one around it’s just not possible.Scissors in numerous places to open packets.

[Treza42]

Trying to twist open bottles is my main thing. It gets me crying when I can't do it. Thanks for all the suggestions. Xx

[premierscfc]

I have used a Baby Boa Constrictor for many years, you get it from Completecareshop and its great when used in conjunction with a non slip mat, I use it on bottle tops and Jars. I have two which allow me to use one (upside down) on the body of the bottle/jar and the other on the lid.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I bought some plastic things from Amazon that help me pull out plugs. Basically it is a strip of plastic with a wider part on each end which has three plug shaped holes on each.

You put it over the prongs of the plug, put it over the top of your plug then over the prongs again from the ther side and hey presto your plug has a handle. They hast a long time, are really cheap, they work really well and make pulling the plug out of its socket - something I just didn’t have the strength to do - very easy.

amazon.co.uk/Ability-Supers...

[Treza42]

Thanks xx. All really helpful advice. Xx