Hands

[welsh12]

I have increasingly a lack of grip in my hands I can't open jars without assistance yesterday I had to get a stranger to help as I had no screen wash in car. I do exercises and they are not painful. What do people do use devices?

[whitedog]

Me too. I got this from Care co for jars etc. I'm sure you can get them cheaper elsewhere. I've found it quite useful but the screw caps on some milk cartons still test my patience a bit!

careco.co.uk/multi-grip-jar...

For a while now I've been using a pair of mini pliers to squeeze some of my eye drop minims and capsules. And a cheap little DIY knife that came from a pound shop is my go to for lots of things as the blade is very thin but sharp. Useful for getting pills out of foil trays. I couldn't even peel a banana this morning so used it for slicing down the skin.

[welsh12 in reply to whitedog]

Thanks

[rmros]

Once I was at the National Theatre and struggling to remove my coat because my shoulder was so stiff and painful so I asked the gentleman next to me for help and he kindly obliged. It was Melvyn Bragg.

[welsh12 in reply to rmros]

Ah sweet I had to explain to the guy that I had arthritis and couldn't open the container but it wasn't Melvyn not sure if he still alive.

[Seabird1 in reply to rmros]

At least you had the idea to ask. I tried one time at a presentation and couldn't manage, ended up leaving it on. Left the talk overheated and red in the face from my coat. And Melvyn Bragg how nice.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I use a rubber mat gripper thing the plier version looks good though. If I’m desperate I put the lid of whatever I’m trying to open in the hinge of a door but that’s a bit dodgy as it can leave marks.

I also use plug pulls from Amazon as I find it difficult to get a grip of plugs to pull them out of their sockets. That was one of my first symptoms.

[HeadInASpin]

Hi, this is very frustrating for lots of us I suspect. Ask your rheumy team or GP to refer you to OT. I have found them to be very good…they have given me strengthening exercises for my hands and shown me lots of little gadgets that you may find useful. I especially like the little rubber mat but she said that putting on a pair of rubber gloves is also effective. She showed me all sorts of tools for the kitchen and grips that you can slide onto a knife. I also use melamine plates sometimes when I’m in the house on my own because I can easily drop ceramic ones. It’s a good time to buy them at the moment because all the picnic sets are out for the summer.

[Kati66 in reply to HeadInASpin]

Totally agree with Melamine plates and bowls!! Plus they aren’t as heavy as ceramic ones. I also use bamboo cups instead of glass. They are really nice and wash in the dishwasher fine. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[Lolabridge]

Here's a useful tip for getting metal lids off jam jars when even the gripper tool fails. Warm the lid under your hot tap first so it expands a bit and then use your gripper opener. Don't burn yourself though!

[Jimminey]

I use a mole grip, which is a bit heavy and possibly over the top for opening bottles, but the facility to set the appropriate diameter/width and lock it certainly means their is no slippage.

[welsh12]

Thanks great suggestions

[AgedCrone]

Oh yes..use every device under the sun . Look on line at The Care Shop I think it is

But still the best way to open something like a jam jar …is to turn it upside down, put it on a tea towel, then find a knife that has a round end to the blade……not a pointed end ..land push it down between the lid & the jar. You will hear the vacuum go ..& you can open it…. Easy Peasy.

[welsh12 in reply to AgedCrone]

Ooh think I am bit clumsy for that ha will try

[AgedCrone in reply to welsh12]

Just make sure you put the jar on something absorbent …a jar of beetroot can make a real mess if things go wrong!

[bpeal1]

I have one of these for jars. amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CXPK77Z2/... I’ve not found one yet that it can’t open. Don’t think it would work on screen wash though.

[Pythagorus]

I find the nut crackers are very useful for small screw on tops.

[nanny_bee71]

I have a brabantia universal opener - everything from milk containers to large jars. Not a lot of good though when you are out and about. I do find people are very kind when asked for assistance

[13Lab]

Jars…. hold sideways and bang metal top a few times on wooden bread board….. it works!!

[netballnow]

I decided early on, with little or no use in my hands, to buy whatever was out there to help with jars and bottle tops etc. I also have something to put my tube of toothpaste in, turn the little key and it moves the paste up the tube. Also I couldn’t use the shower gel bottles so ended up putting all in the pump dispensers.

Just don’t struggle and take care

[HeadInASpin in reply to netballnow]

Yes, me too. Pump dispensers are great!

[KittyJ in reply to netballnow]

Pump dispensers are a great help I save them from everything and put them on bottles that need squeezing.

[netballnow]

Add on to my post. I was unable to fill my car with fuel and the assistant in the kiosk would come and do it for me. Also had my shopping packed by the cashier. You only have to ask for these things and mostly people are very understanding.

[KylaC]

Ooh yes so frustrating. As others have mentioned the grippy mats are really good. I also use an old fashioned nut cracker to open bottles of coke etc. If you have a new jar that doesnt open the tip is to use the thin end of a teaspoon under the rim there wiill be a point where it slips in and with the jar on the table gently push the spoon down and it helps pop the lid up by allowing a small bit of air in to unseal the preserving method. You usually hear a slight pop noise

[Sprite60A]

hi! I use a rubber glove (you don’t even have to put it on!) then run the cap of the bottle or whatever under the hot tap for about 15 seconds the open it using the rubber glove. Has worked every time for me. Hope you find something to help you too.

[Doggo2]

I find these extremely useful!

The black and red one is great for all sorts of things. The plain red one is fantastic for ‘popping’jar lids. Both I ordered from EBay.

Hope this helps!

Two very useful tools!

[Evie3 in reply to Doggo2]

That’s a Jar key…fabulous. I can’t use the black and red one as u need some grip 😥

[Evie3]

luckily I have my hubby but I find a Jar Key invaluable. Can’t say much helps me with bottles. I would have to ask a neighbour. 😥

[LW1920]

if you have kitchen scissors with a "toothed" bit in the middle, this is for opening screw top bottles. Came as a surprise to me but it really works!

[Seabird1]

I have lots of gadgets. It's a good idea as I was told by an OT if you really strain your joints that can be damaging. All my doors are levers. I struggle being away from home as I can like you come across a hurdle that just won't work for me. The lack of strength can be very disheartening.

[Luludean]

struggle / go apoplectic trying to open plastic containers for washing machine sachets. Taking corks out of Cava can be challenging too!!

[snotts in reply to Luludean]

Oh my goodness, why have they made them both child- and adult-proof.....grrrrrr

[Green230461]

cardigans are my bugbare one arm in fine two arms aaaarrrgghh

[Happy5]

My hands have OA as well as RA very little strength in them.

I bought Morphy Richards can opener which has various gizmos on it to aid opening items

I also use an old fashion can opener i.e. the hook bit to lift lids on jars which I can then open

them. Sometimes place the lid part in very hot water helps expand plastic tops making it easier to open.

In the end the variety of things to open is a challenge to us with weak hands.

Morphy Richards can opener

[Rosequartz21]

I use a strap wrench from amazon, adjustable and works for most bottles and jars.

[katieoxo60]

Hi welsh 12, I bought one recently that expands to open jars and reduces to open bottles , but there are lots it is better to try for yourself as everyones disabled hands are different. L can't use the pull rings to open cans so use electric can opener. I have little power in my wrist .Can't use the hand held jar openers etc due to arthritic hands & wrists. I have a saw type knife to cut much easier than normal carving knife. The possibilities are endless nowadays. Online is best research engine. Good luck.

[wishbone in reply to katieoxo60]

Same here regarding hand held jar openers or any plier type gadget that needs pressure on the handles. Neither can I pull rings, and I like tinned sardines...unfortunately. 🙁 Also neeed to use a saw type knife. Rheumy recently refered me to occupational therapy so will hopefully get some good advice there........

[katieoxo60 in reply to wishbone]

Hi wishbone , I open sardines with an electric can opener to spite the tins funny shape. I have a water boiler for drinks , I use a slow cooker but the pot is very heavy to lift even one of the mini ones. I buy flat baking trays to cook in the oven as they are lightweight and cheap. Good luck with your OT appointment I have been using them for around thirty years now but gadgets have changed vastly in that time.

[wishbone in reply to katieoxo60]

Thanks Katie, I'll give the sardine tin a go with my electric tin opener. Also use a water boiler but not easy to lift so don't fill right up....it holds 1.5L I think. Don't like getting things out of oven so my wife takes over there. Plus she does lots of other things to help when I need it....bless her.

[katieoxo60 in reply to wishbone]

You are very lucky to have a wife to help , cherish her. I have been a widow for 20 years now . So speak from experience of living alone and finding ways to cope. Hope you have your sardines sooner than later. Do you have food delivered ? I do as can't carry much or lift. Enjoy your sardines , do you have them in tomatoe sauce or brine. ?

[wishbone in reply to katieoxo60]

Ah, I see, sorry to hear that....it must be really difficult being on your own. I honestly don't know how I'd get by without my wife as I have serious problems raising my arms above horizonal. Hands are not too clever either, especially the right, which is badly clawed...and yes I am right handed, 'typically' at least I used to be. 🙂 Neither....I don't like tomatoe sauce, brine is ok, but prefer my sardines in sunflower oil and they have to be John West. My wife enjoys going shopping, probably because she gets a break from me. 😊 She goes with one of my daughters who can drive as neither of us can.

[katieoxo60 in reply to wishbone]

Hi Wishbone , sounds like you have a good back up arrangement. Mine is my grandchildren , and daughters even then it is not foolproof. I used to go by patient ambulance service, but they were making out I could travel on public transport. Like you I cannot hold my arms up , my hands shake llike parkinsons , some joints are misshapen. Have visual impairment , knee replacement , plus a serious lung condition. Never tried sunflower oil sardines, but don't mind brine or tomatoe . Like them now and then for a change not my most favourite . I believe they are good for your heart health. Enjoy your day.

[wishbone in reply to katieoxo60]

Glad you have grandchildren to help. Ditto with a lung condition, and after 8 years of stability it's started to progress a a scary rate. Currently waiting for results of a CT scan and have a lung function test in a fortnight.

Oh, and one good thing is that my heart's ok, no doubt thanks to good old sardines. 😊

[welsh12]

Thanks for all the great suggestions very supportive forum.

[Shadow35]

My ergo told me to buy robot twist to open jar. It's working great. To buy zylizz can opener. I have a brush chef'n to hold better un brush. I also have special scissor that don't need to use your thumb and some foam to add dexterity to ustensile. I also have grip for pen.

Robotwist

[sampete]

I really do think that the people who invent the packaging for tablets, especially those with thick silver coloured backing should be made to spend a few hours trying to get into them preferably with a pair of gloves on. I make a slit down either side of each pill to be able to get them out. Who invents these things? (Must be a man 🤔)

[whitedog in reply to sampete]

And the size of some of the tablets! Some I got in my latest prescription were tiny - about 2mm! Need to be armed with reading glasses and knife just to get in the bloomin pack and then a magnifier for when I drop them onto the floor 😀

[AgedCrone in reply to whitedog]

If I drop my mini pills on the floor..I have decided they are so small…there can’t be much to miss in them…so they end up in the vacuum..my back doesn’t like bending! .

[KittyJ in reply to sampete]

You can get gadgets to pop pills out of their packaging, they do work 😊

[sampete in reply to KittyJ]

Yes thank you I have one but they only seem to work on the smaller pills.

[KittyJ in reply to sampete]

I had one that had different sized ‘pushy bits’ like the photo

Multi size Pill punch to aid with dispensing blister pack pills

[IlovePorridge]

I sympathise, and feel your frustration. Removing electric plugs is a big problem for me, as is flushing the toilet!

[KittyJ in reply to IlovePorridge]

You can gadgets for helping with those 😊 AgedCrone had a good toilet one.

[AgedCrone in reply to KittyJ]

I think the one you recommended from Amazon for about a fiver is just as good as the one I bought.In factI bought one for the second bathroom & everyone who sees it think it,s good too!

[AgedCrone in reply to KittyJ]

I’ve got good ones for electric plugs too….!

[jackNruby2]

I can empathise my hands are now so painful there are many things I can no longer do, but I have found using nutcrackers to open bottles helps and I have discovered the miraculous Jarkey, have a look online, for opening jars I am so excited about being able to do at least a couple of things myself, having to ask my husband to do things these for me is awful

[jbzm]

Sorry this is late!

I find the Dycem products good. The OT suggested them when I was first diagnosed. The jar opener for jars (!) and the smaller bottle opener for bottles (the link is for the jar opener and mat).

amazon.co.uk/Dycem-09109598...

I do wish someone could come up with a way to take the inner cap off a milk bottle 🙈 I find the outer cap tricky but ok when I remember my little 'help', but the inner foil is nigh on impossible.

[welsh12 in reply to jbzm]

Thanks