If your loved one has Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA), you probably know first-hand how difficult some daily tasks can be. And you may have hired an elder care provider to come to his home to help with chores around the home that his RA doesn’t allow him to perform anymore. But an elder care provider can’t be there all of the time, and neither can you. And while getting help from an elder care provider is a great option, your loved one may appreciate being able to do some of his routine daily tasks again on his own…with the proper tools.
While the upcoming list of tools can be great resources for your loved one, also consider adapting some of his regular household items into more RA-friendly products. For example, cast iron pans are often much too heavy for an RA sufferer to use so replace them with lighter-weight pans. You can also look at having drinkware that has ridges or bumps on the glass to help his grip when enjoying a cold glass of water. Little adjustments can go a long way.
Let’s look at some gadgets that can help with specific tasks.
- Jar Openers. There are different types of jar openers out there that help those with RA to get a better grip on a jar lid so they can open it up without help. No one likes putting that jar of pickles back in the fridge simply because they can not open it, so having one of these in your loved one’s silverware drawer can make sure he can open the jars he wants when he wants instead of waiting for someone to come and help.
- Dressing Assistants. Buttoning buttons, zipping zippers, and latching jewelry clasps can all make getting dressed stressful and painful. They may even cause your loved one to avoid wearing some of his favorite items because he can no longer put them on by himself. There are button hooks and zipper pulls that can be purchased and kept in the dressing room, as well as gadgets that help with those tiny clasps that are on bracelets and necklaces.
- Car Helpers. Sometimes turning the ignition can be a real pain if your loved one doesn’t have a remote car opener. A key turner might be just the ticket to make sure he can start his car. If getting out of the car presents problems, a handybar can be kept in the car’s door pocket to provide extra support when he exits the vehicle.
- Leisure Supporters. Tools for Your Loved One With RAYour loved one should also still be able to do some of the things he loves that are just for fun. If playing cards has always been his thing, there are card holders that can help him hold cards. If he likes to read, a pillow to prop up his book so he’s not leaning over may be useful. There are also plenty of gardening gadgets that have adaptive counterparts that can be purchased.
Your loved one should never have to work through the pain, instead, help him find new ways to do the old things he loves.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable Senior Home Care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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