Helpful Products
Things to Live By
Here are some useful products that make life easier and more independent for stroke survivors, people with aphasia, people who use only one hand, people with mobility issues and physical disabilities, and anyone who wants to make their day a little easier around the house, in the kitchen, grooming, reading, writing, moving around, going out, traveling, working, playing, enjoying life.
My speech, occupational and physical therapists helped me learn to be independent by teaching me techniques for one-handed living, a weak right leg, and speech problems from aphasia. Then, it was up to me to continue to find new tricks and tools for my personal care, household chores, work and play. Like most people, we live on a tight budget. So, instead of ordering from an expensive medical equipment supplier, we look for gadgets in our local department store, hardware store, drug store, and occasionally a specialty catalog. You can find almost anything on Amazon, so we have provided a link to Amazon to see and order products like mine.
Showing 11–20 of 23 results
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On Time
Staying on time is important in many of my activities, and it is a little challenging, since doing everything with one hand means I'm slow. So I use a small digital timer to remind me how many minutes I have to finish a task, or leave for an appointment, or to time a presentation that I'm practicing, or when I'm cooking. I use one like this CDN Digital Timer that slips into my shirt pocket, clips on, or sticks to the refrigerator with its magnet.
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Chop and Scoop
I make most of our meals. I use the Dexas Chop and Scoop little cutting board to cut bananas for my cereal. It has curved edges to keep the slices from rolling away--a problem for one-handed cooks, like me. The grip handle makes it easy to tip the slices into the bowls.
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One-Handed Low Tech Opener
To open jars, I use a jar opener that attaches under the kitchen cabinet. This EZ-Off Jar Opener has a v-shaped guide that fits larger jars like jars of salsa, medium-sized jars of jelly, soda or water bottle tops, and small jars like paint and glue for hobbies.
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Fastening With One Hand
Since I share the cooking in our house, I need a way to close bags of frozen vegetables, shredded cabbage, and other bagged food and snacks easily with one hand. I use the "Linden Sweden Twixit Clip Bag Sealers." The set of 27 assorted clips are easy to use, keep food fresh longer, and have a durable hinge.
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Handling Cans
I have a can-opener easy to use with one hand. Once the can of fruit or vegetables is open, you need to drain the liquid. I found a small dishwasher-safe "can colander" that fits over the top of the can, the “Prepworks by Progressive Can Colander , Can Strainer, Vegetable and Fruit Can Strainer, No-Mess Tuna Can Strainer.” I can easily hold the colander on top of the can and turn it over in the sink so it drains without worrying about cutting my hand or losing the contents. Since canned vegetables have added salt, I try to rinse some of the salt off. After draining the liquid, I run a little tap water into the can, put the colander on top, shake, then drain, repeating a few times.
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Easy One-handed Hot Drinks
I enjoy a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate. I have tried the old-fashioned kettle on the stove and microwaving a cup of water. Both can be a little difficult and a little unsafe for stroke survivors who can use only one hand, like me. My mother-in-law was English and drank a lot of tea. She had an electric kettle like this Black+Decker KE1500B 1.7L Rapid Boil Electric Cordless Kettle. It boils water faster than a stove or microwave and can boil 1 cup to 7 cups. The kettle lifts off its heating element without the cord, also a good feature for one-handed users. It has an automatic shut-off when the water has boiled or the kettle is empty and other safety features.
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Chop Veggies with One Hand
When I took a cooking class at the Stroke Comeback Center, we learned to cut cucumbers for salads using the OXO's V-Blade Mandoline. It has a textured surface to keep food from sticking, a food holder to securely hold food and protect fingers, and non-slip feet keep it secure on the work surface. You can safely cut vegetables with one hand.
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The Cutting Edge
My right hand is paralyzed, so I hold my fork with my left hand. To cut food with one hand, I use the Solid Handle Rocker Knife. It looks like good silverware. It is stainless steel and dishwasher safe and only weighs 3 ounces. The specially designed, curved blade allows food to be cut with a rocking motion.
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Measuring with One Hand
I cook dinner often and need to measure a tablespoon of oil just using one hand. I found the small size (1/4 cup) OXO GOOD GRIPS Angled Measuring Cup. I put the cup on the counter and pour in the oil to the exact amount I need. The patented angled surface lets you read measurement markings by looking straight down into the cup.
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Popping for Health
I enjoy fresh popped popcorn at home, and after reading the research that popcorn can contribute to a healthy diet, I might eat a little more. I don't use microwave popcorn - it's too expensive, has extra calories, some gets burned, and it's hard to open with one hand. I use a hot air popcorn popper.