Mamas & Papas-
The question about being the sandwich generation got be thinking about my poor mom and her arthritic hands. They are getting more craggly and misshapen daily. She has difficulty using a can opener, opening jars, turning keys, doing up buttons, and buckling seatbelts. I know they have assistive devices for the blind/ vision impaired. Do they have enabling devices for the arthritic too?
We swapped out can openers because our OXO one struck me as somewhat easier to use than her traditional one. Waiting to hear from her whether it proved helpful.
Open to all ideas and suggestions. Also open to suggestions for blogs/ chatrooms etc which she might find helpful.
Thanks in advance,
F. B.
B.:
my MIL had arthritis really bad. She used the OXO tools and found them easier to use.
here is a website devoted to arthritic hands.
http://www.arthritissupplies.com/in-the-kitchen.html?gcli...
http://www.everydayhealth.com/arthritis-pictures/10-terri...
You may be able to find some helpful devices from Wright Stuff. Here's a link to two of their websites.
http://www.wrightstuff.biz/
http://www.arthritissupplies.com/
Can you work with an occupational therapist who helps in this area? That's what they do. I'll be your mother's insurance or Medicare would cover something if the doctor recommended it. There's also a catalog that carries a lot of aids like this - some of them are bogus cures but some of the devices might be useful. I can't think of the name of it but maybe another mama can think of it. It's Dr. Something. If no one can find it, PM me because I think my mother has it.
I'm not sure what she does for coffee or hot drinks, but some people use the Keurig-type coffee makers because it's a one-hand "lean on it" operation. Not cheap but it makes things manageable.
And would she consider a patented food-based product with clinical studies to reduce the inflammation and pain? The arthritis will still be there, but if she has less (or no) pain, that might be a huge help. I have dozens of friends who've had phenomenal results - I was just at a meeting with a woman who was starting to get the "claw" type hands and was told she'd be in a wheelchair by now, but she's in her 70s and incredibly active and pain-free. I'm sure the same could be done for your mom if she'd be open to some information.
I am a distributor of nutrition. My mother takes a supplement that helps a lot. I can't give a link here so if you have interest just private message me.
these looked helpful:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/arthritis-pictures/10-terri...
I have also written on this site before about using Castor Oil for arthritic hands. You simply apply the oil every night at bedtime-and then put on gloves or socks over your hands. This doesn't cure arthritis-but it makes the pain go away-it is also great for your feet-makes your skin soft and smooth. Best!
