Message Board

Some Appealing Assistive Devices

Lyn — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:06:49 GMT

I would like to recommend that our visitors here check out two interesting websites. See the http://www.SeeOpenSesame.com website for a very practical, interesting bottle & can opener.

I also recommend that you check out the http://www.SeniorSSuperStoreS.com site which offers a variety of appealing assistive devices for those of us who have limited use of our fingers, hands, wrists, arms. Sincerely, - Lyn Wiley

Tips I have discovered for making life easier . . .

Lyn — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:43:56 GMT

I want to offer three simple tips for making life easier when the use of one or more arms makes life more difficult.

The tips work for me; you can decide whether or not they would work for you.

And please, if you have any tips to offer, we'd like to see them posted here.

TIP: This is for those who have limited extension of the arm toward your body and thus have difficulty holding a toothbrush close enough to brush your teeth, a comb close enough to comb your hair, a spoon close enough to your mouth, etc.

I attach an 'extension' to the handles of the comb, toothbrush, eating utensils so they are long enough to get where I need them to be. By 'extension' I mean a section of thin dowel taped to the item, or anything else that works to lengthen the item.

Question: Does anyone know if such extensions are available on the market? Extensions sold in different sizes and lengths, that you simply 'snap on' to the item? I have a feeling they are commercially available, but have not found them to date.

TIP: To shampoo hair when one or both hands cannot reach the hair. I fill the sink with warm water, add the shampoo to the water and make sure it is well mixed. Then, I hold my hair in the shampoo-water and use a back-scratcher to gently scrub my hair. The long-handled back-scratcher allows me to reach my hair and scrub gently and with ease. Then I drain the water, put clear warm water in the sink and rinse my hair; it is much easier to rinse the hair when you do not put a small 'glob' of shampoo on the head to begin with.

TIP: For clothing with zippers. Commercially available zipper pulls (inexpensive and available at many drug stores) have been most helpful. Since discovering how much they help me in getting dressed, I favor articles of clothing that zip rather than button.

TIP: For clothing with buttons. Assistive devices for buttoning and unbuttoning are commercially available. The device has a long extension with a loop at the end that allows one to pull a button through a button hole when not able to do so with the hands. I purchased the zipper pulls and button hole helpers at a local drug store in Seattle but cannot tell you where, online, you could get them. Maybe that is a tip you could offer me - tell me where, online, such things can be ordered?

- Lyn Wiley

Invitation to chat about difficulty with hands/wrists/elbows/arms

Lyn — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:36:11 GMT

Hello everyone,

I am currently in the final stage of recovery after having a total elbow replacement (see article I posted on this site if you like). I am open to answering questions about my experience with the pre-surgical routine, the surgery itself and the recovery and final outcome.

Also, I would like to hear from those of you who have limitations/difficulty with your arms, elbows, wrists, hands. I think we each have something to offer the other, sharing our experiences and sharing 'tips,' knowledge of assistive devices and more. - Lyn Wiley

Welcome

WebMaster — Thur, 10 Apr 2008 23:26:08 GMT

Hi

Thanks for joining us here! As you can see we are brand new ...so please dont be discouraged to post your discussion...in the next month I will letting more people know about this website.

Join today....and others will come!!

Tell everyone you meet who might be interested...Help me get the word out!

Thanks Julie