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 21–27 of 27 results
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Fruit and Vegetable Brush
I like to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. My favorites are apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, grapes, and sweet red peppers. I use a brush with suction cups to hold it to the bottom of the sink under the faucet. It's quick and easy to use with one hand. You can also use it as a fingernail brush to clean under your hand and fingernails.
-
Floss With One Hand
Dentists tell you to floss at least once a day. I use this flossing system, which is a big improvement over the flossing product I had used in the past. Before, to floss with one hand, I needed Stephanie to first thread the floss onto a y-shaped handle. With this system, individual flossing units snap onto the handle, which I learned to do with one hand.
-
Opening Jars
One of my favorite kitchen tools is my electric jar opener. I have always had an under-the-cabinet bottle and jar opener. You slide the lid into the v-shaped grip and turn. This works okay one-handed for small bottles and jars, and I use it to open my hobby glue and paint jars. But this kind of opener is hard to use for larger jars, like salsa and spaghetti sauce jars, and sometimes I had to ask Stephanie to open them with two hands. Now, I use the Black & Decker JW200 Lids Off Automatic Jar Opener electric opener all the time. It's quick and easy even with one hand.