How to Ease Arthritis - Adaptive Equipment

There are several items on the market today that can reduce the stress placed on the joints of the hand.

• Elastic Shoelaces
  • These can be found in most shoe departments and are inexpensive. They come flat or curled. Lace the shoe, tie the bow, and your shoe is now a slip-on shoe. If the lace is curled, a bow is not necessary - just tie knots at the top holes to keep it from slipping back through. If your shoe has the lace-holder on the tongue, it's handy to use with these laces.

• Key Turners
  • Plastic folds over the head of the key to enlarge the gripping surface, allowing a larger finger span for the grip.

• Jar openers
  • There are several models. There are the plastic sheets and cones that are placed on the lid of the jar, but the bigger the lid the harder still it is to open.
  • There are under-the-cabinet models, which are highly recommended. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and you simply insert the lid of the jar and twist - the teeth that grab the lid provide the force.
  • There are clamps that resemble bottle openers, but you still have to have a mighty grip to squeeze these gizmos together (about as much grip as it takes to use a manual can opener).
  • Speaking of can openers, use an electric one.
• Scissors
  • Loop scissors are very easy to squeeze. Some craft stores carry them.
• Handles
  • Large-handled anything will be an improvement. The larger the handle, the less range of motion your fingers have to cover to surround and grasp. Pots, kitchen gadgets, cutting knives and even eating utensils can be purchased with larger handles. Look for the words "comfort grip" or "ergonomic" on the labels.