Multiple uses for...a backscratcher

[whitedog]

Bought a few mobility aids recently, whilst experiencing my worst ever flare up in 17 years of RA.

A raised toilet seat - so simple but an absolute Godsend. A bath board and bath step - also very useful.

But my favourite 'thing' (or 'things' as I bought two for different rooms) that I use a lot and didn't cost that much is a backscratcher. It's got a long flat handle that I use as a shoe horn to help get my slippers on. I also use it as a claw to pull them closer if I'm feeling particularly stiff. It works as a dressing aid to help me get a zip fleece off my shoulders. A prodder to help me push the shower off button from my bath board. And, oddly enough, I've also used it to scratch my back and head! 😁

I've always liked improvising - are there items anyone else has found alternative uses for?

[Neonkittie17]

I agree .. fantastic items!! It’s my most useful item although I have a very useful very long shoe horn from IKEA which is black and white snake. I attach a nail file with some parcel tape to the handle end of the backscratcher and do my own pedicure! I also use it to push and prod things with! (Not my husband you’ll be very glad to hear. 😝🤣)

[whitedog in reply to Neonkittie17]

Oh I like that! 😆

[weathervane in reply to whitedog]

I use my long handled shoe horn to put diprobase on my back 😁

[whitedog in reply to weathervane]

Do you manage to get it well rubbed in? Thinking an extra attachment, like a blown up rubber glove might help 😀

[weathervane in reply to whitedog]

😂😂 not necessary, i just wave it about and it does the job 😁

[Neonkittie17 in reply to whitedog]

I just cackled at this!! I love it. 😁

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Neonkittie17]

I am imagining someone seeing this though the window with a rubber glove on a backscratcher! 🤣😆

[Neonkittie17 in reply to weathervane]

Ditto! 😁 I wind some cotton wool (a long strip from an old fashioned type roll) round my backscratcher handle end and use this for applying some moisturiser to my back.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to whitedog]

😁🤣

[NanaFifi in reply to Neonkittie17]

Me too! Wouldn’t be without it! 😂

[Neonkittie17 in reply to NanaFifi]

I always take my backscratcher with me when I go away! Some sticky tape too. .

[whitedog]

The last time I had a bath and struggled to get out, I held onto the taps and with feet dug into the bathmat, eventually hauled myself forward and up.

Sounds mad but I was trying to think of something I could put round the taps to grip on and was going to use either a couple of strong rubber ring dog toys or the longer tug type that has handles at both ends.

Decided to stick to showers for the time being!

[Tealblue2 in reply to whitedog]

What about twisting over and turning to get yourself on to your hands and knees? Gives you leverage to get up then - I found that easier - even if it’s from my side

[whitedog in reply to Tealblue2]

Too painful at the moment as all my joints are in flare up.

Can't put pressure down on my hands and wrists and can't kneel but hoping after my second infusion I might start feeling more able. It's like my whole body's been suddenly under attack over the last month or two!

[Tealblue2 in reply to whitedog]

Im sorry, I probably didn’t read your post very carefully. I hope it improves for you very soon!

[Madmusiclover]

I turn sideways in bath and then on to all fours.

[MadBunny in reply to Madmusiclover]

Exactly what I do 😁

[whitedog in reply to Madmusiclover]

I tried that but my bath seemed too narrow. If/when my shoulders and knees get better I'll have another go. Miss soaking in the bath.

[ruth_p]

I bought a thing to help put moisturiser on my back but I use it to turn the extractor on and off as the builders put the button up too high for me to reach!

[Ummlulu in reply to ruth_p]

amzn.eu/d/02lfcpiN

I bought this applicator from the jungle shop for applying moisturiser to my back. Not as good as having hubby do it but sadly he passed away in 2022. It has changeable heads and can be cleaned reasonably well. Works ok if your hands can manage gripping the handle.

[ruth_p in reply to Ummlulu]

amzn.eu/d/0hoOP9eS this is the one I got, I’m just lazy and don’t use it for what it was intended 😆

[BoneyC]

Ikea are now doing an even longer shoe horn - 80cm. I bought 2 recently, they're £3 each, made of metal so shouldn't snap like the plastic ones. I thought the £5 delivery was fair, given I don't live close to an Ikea store.

[YorkieBard]

I have a large rubber jar opener which was useless at opening jars.

I have a shower control that is stiff & I can't turn.

I put the two together - & bingo!

Please click to enlarge the image - you'll see how it grabs the wheel flange more clearly.

Shower turner

[whitedog in reply to YorkieBard]

That's cool!

[MerielPB]

My husband uses mine to turn the wall light in our living room on/off.

[LillyBeagle]

Me and my hubby have raised toilet seats in bathroom and downstairs cloakroom. The height makes its more comfortable using the toilet. We even have one we keep boxed up to take away when going on holiday in the car. We have the long handle shoe horns from IKEA and also a Sox On which is so helpful to put socks, pop socks and stockings on, so easy. I also have a piece of dowling about a 12 inches long with a open hook screwed in the end, This helps me zip up my boots. Thanks for sharing the different ideas to make things easier for every day tasks.

[Carriacou1937]

i use mine to draw my curtains

[Gramma3]

I use a honey stick to press the loo flush, as my fingers hurt too much to do it normally. Works really well.

[bt27uk in reply to Gramma3]

What is a honeystick?

I tried googling but all I came up with was a brand of crayons and smoking accessories related to vaping.

[Gramma3 in reply to bt27uk]

Google honey stick natural wood

[whitedog in reply to Gramma3]

AKA honey dippers. Good idea.

I've got some old wooden skittles with flat bases that could poss work for that. 😊

wooden skittles

[Deeb1764]

no alternative but hubby got me a car door lifter handle. So if very stiff I use it too support me up from car seat to floor