Tips wanted for daily activities with weak or painful hands, wrists

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- Healthy Seniors Jar Opener Set - The Jar Opener For Seniors With Arthritis, Weak Or Rheumatoid Hands https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LZF4Q3B/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_W36GSBQHKX6WEASDN945

Haven’t done the counter…spent too much on installing it! However, if the grippers don’t work I hit the rim of the lid with the handle end of a butter knife.

@colleenyoung, @mztrai, and all...I like all the suggestions you're getting, but I've pretty much been through all those and had to move on. The rubber grips have been around forever and I've used them forever. I don't find them much help anymore since now I don't have the strength or ability to grip the rubber grip around the jar I'm opening. You still have to be able to grasp and hold and turn and have some strength. Mine is gone.

I can't bend my fingers into a grip mode. My wrists are now painful and weak. My shoulders, which are needed for this movement, are now not much help.

I love having a box cutter handy for opening cardboard boxes. I've been using a kitchen knife, a very large one with a very large handle...I need a larger handle for everything I use. I've gotten those at Target, Walmart, grocery stores, and such, all available for whatever in the kitchen. I can't use open scissors anymore 'cause they hurt to hold. In fact, I can't use scissors at all since my finger joints are so enlarged and disfigured they don't fit in the scissors. You can find larger hole scissor handles, but still, have trouble with using them due to joint pain for that movement.

I'm getting a couple of box cutters. One for upstairs, one downstairs in the kitchen, and one in the den. That will help. Thanks, @johnbishop.

@collenyoung, I ck'd the amazon link with the older person openers. They look pretty good and are given softening pads that help lessen the pain. I am currently using an all-sized opener helper. It's like scissors in shape, but had enlarged and padded handles and the one-piece had multiple sizes of tops to open, so just fit it to the top and rotate. It really works. Getting heavy for me now, it's metal. I may get the ones you mentioned, or look online for something like I have and in lighter material.

The toughest thing for me to open....batteries, or everything that comes in a plastic top sealed to the cardboard bottom. I work hard to open that package. And, kitty litter is the worst! First, it's heavy...the light ones aren't as good. If I can get the box upstairs, I use a knife to cut the perforated areas to open the spout. It works but is hard. Box cutter will be better! Thanks, John.

That's all. I also use longer and larger handles, rubber or softened, on everything I use. There are good things made for us now. It's been a long time coming. I'm glad I'm still alive to use the 'help'.

Blessings to all...elizabeth

Hi,
After reading the comments I did some more research. I found a really nice jar opener from black and decker. It has a 200.00 price tag though. I'm sure at some point as an investment it might be worth it. I also saw the robo twist got some good reviews and was more affordable. I might try that. Glad the comments are helping you too.

That's ok. I don't mind the wait. I was just gonna show what I had and wasn't working lol if you can post it though..cool. just not sure how to get it to you either.

Hi. I have a strong steel jar/bottle opener. It is incredible. Mine was made in Germany, but it looks like now they are being made in China. Here is the link. https://www.amazon.com/My-Basics-Germany-Jar-Opener/dp/B002RXBX68

@patyrod, @colleenyoung, @mztral, and all...I was interested in the products you linked us to amazon-@patyrod.
/there is one that's similar to my main helper that's metal and has several places for multiple sizes of bottles/jars. I got mine at someplace like Walmart Target or the grocery store. I spent less than $20.seeveral years ago when this arthritis began to affect my life more intensely It works well for almost all needs, and I don't think I'd pay much more money for an assistant opener. Certainly not $200! I never tried the electric openers and that may be my next step in this arthritis/aging/yucky journey.

Hope some of my thoughts help you; I've learned some things I can research now...I actually get a bit excited when I find new things and ways to help with my daily living. Needs keep coming, but it's great that products are available...Thank goodness for baby boomers....we have these aging needs and there are a lot of us who pay for the help. Blessings as you search, elizabeth

To improve my hand strength, I make potholders. I use the Pro ten inch loom from Harrisville Designs.

Have you tried exercises for your fingers? They have helped me w/ being able to hold things and open packages.

First, you will need some initial help to sew on Velcro, purchase a. Few items but once you see the benefits, you’ll create ways to help yourself. Expand on using bigger muscles (Forearms) as they are stronger. Avoid pincer grasp. Slip extended fingers under items to be lifted and lift using arm muscles. Use Rubbermaid shelf liner or a damp cloth on surfaces to stabilize, then wrap jars, tubes with Rubbermaid and place between legs or on secure surface to hold... use heels of hands or forearms to turn lid, caps. When you bring a new item from store, ask a friend to open them for the first time. To pour from a pan/jar into the sink or another pan, place damp cloth or Rubbermaid on counter to stabalize, then tip and pour. Place loops on zippers, Sides of pants, slip extended fingers through loops and pull up or down., cover button and buttonhole with Velcro. To open cartons, lay on side on Rubbermaid covered counter, use a table knife or long handled spoon as a dagger into normal opening area, using your forearm as a lever to break the sealed area.