Wellness

[bluejeansluvr]

These are great ideas I don't know that I can add anything else. I find that I won't buy a product unless it's in a container or tube that I think I can squeeze. Shampoos and conditioners and shower gels seem to be hard for me to manage in the shower. I won't buy Philosophy shower gels now if they are in the clear hard plastic bottles, I will buy them if they are in those opaque softer bottles but I think those are hard to find now. I found some a few months ago at Marshalls. The hard plastic bottles are almost impossible for me to squeeze in the shower. I didn't realize how hard they would be to squeeze until I had bought them. So I have to end up taking off the cap and turning them upside down and shaking them on top of my shower puff to get the gel out to use. When there is just a little left in the bottle I run warm water in the bottle, shake it up and pour it out on my shower puff like that to use up the last bit. I was so disappointed when Nexxus discontinued the shampoo and conditioner I was using, because it had a pump dispenser and was easier to use. The pump bottles were not refillable unfortunately.

I bought a set of those jar grips for jars and I use those for the kitchen, but they are also great for opening jars of cream or body butter, things like that, in the bathroom. Some days I just can't even open them with the grips. I have to ask DH to open them for me.

I also avoid large heavy, hard bottles of anything. I try to really pay attention to what kind of container or bottles things are in now before I buy them.

[sfnative]

I know this sounds st-pid silly, but since my right hand incurred acute onset arthritis after hand surgery, I'm really challenged like you to squeeze things. Most of the time I simply invert or turn up-side-down the bottle or container the fluid is in. I use a Bed Head product that is a gel and is the dev-l to squeeze out of the semi-clear bottle, so I had an A-HA moment and took a recently empty round q-tip container and placed this gel bottle in it up side down. No more wrestling. All I have to do is queeze slightly and I get what I need.

In the shower, I have one of those shower caddies that hangs on the shower head. In it goes my shampoo, conditioner and shower gel - ALL UP SIDE DOWN.

Sorry, I can't help with the tooth paste. That one's a toughy.

Best of luck to you. ~R

[lolakimono]

QG-

Try this site-

http://goldviolin.blair.com/t/shop-by-need/arthritis/pc/2144/2145.uts

[kismet]

I have one of those key things from years ago but I find that it falls off the tube easily. I just use some of the tube and then get a bread and butter knife and with the non cutting side flatten out the tube from the bottom up to where the toothpaste is. It's good for awhile and then I do it again. It works for me.

I store my shampoo bottles upside down too in the shower. Use a pump bottle when I can. I do save bottles from other things and use them. Right now I'm looking for a plastic container to put my dog's salmon oil in that is easy to open. Am checking the stores for a sauce container. I had one for ketchup years ago but don't know if I gave it away or not. That would be easier for me to open every night.

[qualitygal]

Thank you all, so noted and what I don't already do I will definitely look into doing. Thanks again!

[Desertdi]

I can't remove the cellophane or plastic/foil ""seals"" from new items........so I keep seam rippers in the kitchen and bathrooms

[bells4me]

I don't have arthritis in my hands (it's my knees) but go to Bed Bath & Beyond & get their toothpaste squeezers. They do not fall off & run about $3 for two & you don't roll the tube up, you just slide it. I've had my two for over 10 years. Store your shampoo upside down.

[qualitygal]

Thanks again to all who responded.

QG

[sfnative]

On 4/29/2014 Desertdi said:

I can't remove the cellophane or plastic/foil ""seals"" from new items........so I keep seam rippers in the kitchen and bathrooms

Now THAT is a great idea. You should submit it to the Food Network Magazine for a prize or something.

[sfnative]

QualityGal,

Though not on your "needs" list, I wanted to share with you something I had to do in order to drive my car, because my right hand won't close all the way due to that acute onset arthritis and permanently tight ligaments and tendons (Chronic Regional Pain Symdrome). I purchased a lambswool steering wheel cover from Amazon. It does 2 things: it makes the steering wheel much wider and "grippable;" and, it keeps the steering wheel from getting blazing hot in summer and ice cold in winter.

Just a thought.