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What are Hand Helpers?
Hand helpers, also called arthritis assistive devices, make daily tasks easier on the joints. They keep joints in the best position for providing leverage when needed, for functioning, and to extend range of motion. Range of motion is important to maintain in the affected joints as well as keeping the strength of the muscles in the surrounding area. This muscular strength supports the joint to minimize stiffness and pain during movement. Hand helper devices can provide support with getting dressed, opening jars, reaching for items, shopping, and assisting in the kitchen, the bathroom, and the car.
How do Hand Helpers Work?
Hand helper devices can take care of an individual in many ways. In the bedroom, they can help when getting dressed, such as zipper pulls and buttoning aids. A button hook has a loop at one end for fastening small buttons on sweaters and blouses, and a hook at the other end to open and close zippers. A long-handled shoe horn makes putting on shoes easier when bending is hard to do. It also has a small notch on the end to assist in removing socks. An easy pull hairbrush has Velcro straps to brush the hair for those with minimal hand function.
In the kitchen, a reacher can be operated to retrieve items which are kept on high cupboard shelves or to pick up items from the floor. This is basically a long stick with a gripper or suction cup on one end to extend the reach 2 to 3 feet. A pan holder keeps a pan in place in order for the individual to stir the contents with one hand. A fixed jar opener can open or close screw-type, vacuum, pry-up, or crown top lids. Suction bottle brushes have a suction base for the sink to keep its brushes in place while washing bottles and glasses. A rocking T knife applies pressure directly above the food being cut so less strength and dexterity is needed to use it. It can also be applied with one hand. A bowl holder benefits those who have function in only one hand. Its frame holds a bowl while mixing and then can be tipped to pour the contents into a serving container. To enjoy an apple without having to pare it by hand, an apple peeler, corer, and slicer has a clamp down base to keep it fixed to a counter top or table top.
In the bathroom, a body care hair washer has a long, curved handle attached to a scrub brush to allow easy bathing and shampooing for those with limited range of motion. It gently scrubs with a nylon mesh which covers closed cell foam. A hands-free dryer stand holds a dryer steady for one-handed drying and styling, or both hands can be free to manipulate styling instruments.
Whether it is spending time in the driver’s seat or getting in and out of a car, automotive assistive devices can improve the experience. To make it easier to open doors and turn on the ignition, a wide key holder is a good helper. Beaded seat covers are available to make it simpler to get in and out of the seat as well as make the ride more comfortable. If suffering with a stiff neck, a panoramic or wide-angled rear view mirror aids in widening the view. A seatbelt extender attaches to the seatbelt to make it easier to pull, grasp, and buckle.
When shopping, reachers enable an individual to retrieve items from high shelves at the store. Motorized shopping carts allow sitting while shopping to ease the pain on the joints. Shopping bags with handles are better on the hands and wrists, and can be slid over the forearms to free the hands. To lighten the load on the elbows and shoulders, cross the arms and hold the bags close to the body.
Rehabmart is pleased to carry a wide assortment of innovative hand helper tools from top quality vendors, which include Sammons Preston, Maddak, Drive Medical, Carex, Posey, MaxiAids, North Coast, Hearmore, and Stander Inc.
Mike Price, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CTO
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