11 Items That Help With Physical Difficulties & Limitations

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Just trying to get through the day around your home can be a struggle when you are impacted by physical limitations such as disability, disease, injury, arthritis, recovering from surgery and so many other physical difficulties one may face.

Helpful Products That Can Aid With Daily Challenges 

 We wanted to share some items that can help to overcome obstacles and help you make it through the day.  These will help you in around your home.

1. Grabber/Reacher 

We actually have 4 of these handy tools. They really help not only with items that may be up too high, but also items that are low to the ground or that may have dropped.  

They’re also helpful for those with any type of back pain when bending over to grab something from the floor too.

These also come in handy for those of us that are vertically challenged.  I am only 5 feet tall, so I pretty much need to use one every day to grab something out of my reach!  

We’ve purchased many different kinds of reachers over the years- but this one is our favorite.  It has some grip to it with the rubber pinchers so things don’t really slip.  The gripper end of it also can be rotated to use at a different angle.

We didn’t find the ones with the suction cups to be useful at all.  

2. Motorized Exercise Pedaler

This is really helpful with circulation and keeping the joints moving.  The machine does the pedaling for you, and you can keep the remote control in your lap and adjust the speed and time.  

It helps to keep your ankles, knees, hips, and legs overall moving as opposed to being locked in one place all day in a wheelchair.  We learned from our doctor that without movement & stretching, tendons can become stiff and actually start to shrink, resulting in not being able to fully straighten your legs.

If you’re unable to exercise with your legs- this is really beneficial.  It’s quiet and doesn’t take up too much room. You can pick it up and move it where you need it.

Because it is not too heavy, it is helpful to push it against either a couch or table as it can move forward if you don’t have any type of anti-slip mats underneath.  Make sure you wear socks for more comfort when using it as well.

You can find many different variations of this machine; some more expensive than others. Some don’t have actual pedals to insert your feet into, but rather they have foot pads which can work if you can still move your own legs and feet to prevent them from falling off the pedals.

3. Lap Tray

This is a great lap tray and has handles for easy grip.

We have 2 of these and they aren’t just for eating but also for carrying things in your lap if you happen to be in a wheelchair. It fits perfectly on your lap and stays there while you roll. The deep edges help prevent items from sliding off easily. 

Because it’s lightweight and has handles, it’s easier to hold for those that may have a weaker grip strength.  The bottom isn’t non-slip, but you can always attach a non-slip material to the back if you need it.

4. Ergonomic /Easy Grip pens

If you struggle with your grip, hand dexterity, or perhaps arthritic pain when trying to get your fingers in the tight position needed to hold regular pens-these can help.

We have several of these. Something like writing may seem like a small issue to some- but it really isn’t when you are in that position.

5. Transfer/ Gait belt

This is very helpful for anyone involved with transfer assists. The person being transferred can feel more secure and the person assisting can get a really good grip and also avoid upper back injuries.  

I like this one because it has numerous loops to put your fingers in to grab and they are very comfortable in my hands. 

A physical therapist had recommended we use one to prevent falls and injuries to my back and arms when assisting with transfers.

6. Wheelchair ramps

We have three of these – one in the garage, one at our back door, and one from the patio to the lawn.  

This ramp can be folded in half and carried using the handle, so you can move it if needed.  They are a bit heavy though- so be aware.  

They also come with a non skid covering on it. We did buy one of those, however in the blistering Houston heat, it literally melted and slid right off! So, we prefer to just use the ones without the added non skid topping.

It fits right in the door frame and can be lifted and moved when needed.  You don’t have to use screws or nails to place it in your doorway- although they do have spots for screws. The ramps have never slipped or moved out of place on any of the ones we use.

7. Alexa/Echo   

We use Alexa daily for many different things like reminders, adding to lists, timers and controlling the air conditioner. If you struggle with walking or making it across the room to the thermostat- you can link Alexa to your smart thermostat and she can adjust it just with your voice.

Again- it may seem like a small issue to some, but if you suffer from painful arthritis in your hips, have back problems, are in a wheelchair or perhaps recovering from surgery- Alexa can really help out in many ways.

It’s also great having a Dot or Echo as well so you can have one upstairs or in another area of your home for when you need to set a reminder, timer or just ask a question. 

8. Compression socks

 Sitting in a wheelchair all day long can cause a lot of swelling in the feet/ankles/calves.  

These socks are not thin like some of the sheer nylon ones you may have come across. They go up to the knee (or a bit higher if you’re shorter) and are very snug. They have different pressure areas that help to get the blood moving.

We just recently learned that there are different variances of measurement for the pressure. These strength levels are listed with millimeters of mercury, which represents the amount of pressure the socks provide.

 9. Koozies for glasses / bottled water

They prevent the “sweat” on the drink container, which can cause the drink to slide out of your hands. They work great for proper sized glass/plastic cups that accumulate sweat on them.  

Essentially, they work as a grip aid.  If you like your drinks cold then you know they tend to sweat and get slippery. You can find there anywhere- grocery store, convenience stores, online, Target, Walmart, you name it…..

 10. Sliding transfer board  

The board helps you transfer from or to your wheelchair from/to another spot like a car or a bed.  They come in plastic and wood and in many sizes as well. This board is wooden and has open hand slots to hold onto while sliding.  

This really helps reduce strain on the upper body and helps anyone that may be assisting by avoiding back strain. Instead of lifting to transfer, it is a sliding motion.

Before buying one, make sure you review what you feel would fit your needs and your weight. Amazon has a large selection to choose from, as well as online medical supply stores.

 11. Shower chair or bench

Rather than using a special wheelchair for showering, you can use a plastic shower chair. This one has a supportive back and is lightweight so that it can be easily moved in and out of the shower/ bathtub.

There are many different kinds; some come with handles or backs while others do not. If you need to be able to slide in and out of the shower, the handles will get in the way and would prevent you from sliding.

If you use a wheelchair and need to slide into/out of the chair, please keep the usability in mind regarding the handles.

This is also helpful if you cannot stand for long periods of time or are perhaps recovering from surgery or an injury.

A shower bench can also be helpful if you use a wheelchair, because it removes the dangerous gap between the two seats when transferring. One part of the bench fits over the bathtub or walk in shower entrance, while the other part of the bench is in the bathtub or shower stall.  

Sharing is caring!

We  hope you find something from this list that can help you with your daily living. Sometimes the smallest things can make such a difference in our day to day lives.

If we left something out that you want to share, please do so. It can help our Wellness Community – and that is the whole point of this blog!

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