10 Organizing Tips
When You Have Arthritis

Those darn achy bones just don't seem to want to co-operate and keep getting stiff when you want them to work; so how do we work around those problems when we organize our homes?

I guess in that way I am like most of you; I don't want to sit around and complain about it I want to know how to 'fix it' or shortcuts that I can use to 'work around it'. There is a ton of ways of making life workable when you have arthritis and I will give you a few of those in this article.

1. Keep pliers in the drawer so you can use it for those pesky plastic tabs that they put on bleach bottles. Grab a hold of it and pull.

2. One of the best little gadgets that I found for flip-top-tabs on soda, kitty food and numerous other things is right in the pet department. It is an opener for cat food cans but works great on anything that has a tab.

3. A nice under-the-counter helper is a lid opener. I also have a vacuum opener that sits on the counter top (thanks to my kids) for some harder to open cans. The under-the-counter opener attaches to the base of your top cabinet and has two pieces of metal that looks like saw blades. Just slide the bottle of jar in their and twist, no strength on your part in needed.

4. Tell your pharmacist that you 'don't want' the twist off lids on your pill bottles. They will gladly accommodate you.

5. Keep a scissors handy. The stainless steel type is the best; it stays sharp and never rusts. This will open those pesky little hard plastic containers, bags (that Hercules must have made), and countless other objects.

6. Put a handrail on the wall next to your garage door leading into the house. It will help you to keep your balance and open the door at the same time. I also have added a handy oversized handle on the door to hang on to once the door is unlatched.

7. Keep a small magnet in your drawer for picking up small metal pieces that fall. If something falls on the floor or behind something; attach with a piece of tape to a yardstick or broom handle and you can get it easily.

8. Remember those little rubber fingertips that they use in offices? These are great for when you are cleaning and always bumping your fingertips.

9. Are your finger joints hurting, but you want to clean? Take a piece of tape and wrap it loosely around the joint area and it will help to keep the joint from jarring.

10. Do you have ankle and knee pain that makes it hard to walk or bend? Try wearing a pair of long socks that are used for circulation after a surgery and for diabetics. It not only keeps the joints warmer, but your legs and ankle won't get tired as fast either.

I am sure that you will come up with a few of your own ideas. There is always more than on use for everything, just pick an item in your home and think about how many different ways you can use it and you are on your way to making your life easier and pain free.

Jan Hayner is the creator of Organizing Your Life THE EASY WAY at  www.organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com and offers tips and hints on home organizing and house cleaning solutions.