Suggestions for New Products? | Arthritis Information

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Hello All!

I'm looking for input on how household items could be better designed for those with arthritis.

I'm a senior studying product design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. I have chosen to focus my final project on designing a product to help people with lowered mobility and joint pain. Any suggestions would be great- from redesigning existing products that are difficult to use to developing a brand new product to updating something to a more elegant and beautiful form.

I've been attempting to fully understand the implications of arthritis, and find a hole in the market, but I realize that the best feedback comes from those of you who live with this everyday.

Any input is appreciated. Thank you!

Hi, good for you, lucky for us if you follow up on making even one helpful thing for us.

Start thinking... big thick handles, but not heavy.... 
I cannot close my fingers enough to really grip and do not have much strength or endurance. I can't scrub with a sponge and although there is a long handled one for cleaning a bathtub, the handle isn't thick enough. On my lightest-weight broom, I had to add bulk to the handle for when there is a rare, necesssary, brief, light sweeping job. I bought a fat handled peeler but even that is hard so I can only do 1 potato. I have other devices to help me open jars and water bottles and my pharmacist gives me lids that are easier to open. We changed all the faucet handles and doorknobs from grab-twist to just push-pull or up-down that I can do with my open hand. I'm sure I'll think of many more examples the minute I post this reply.
 
Basically, my husband is my most useful device, well, except that he isn't always home!
 
I'm sure others may add to these ideas for you too. Good luck!
CathyMarie   
Hello again!

Thanks so much for your input, it has provided a huge benefit to my project.  After much research, I have decided to redesign a walking cane.  In response to input I have gained about both function and aesthetics of current canes on the market, it has been found to be a worthy product to investigate and hopefully improve upon.

Please let me know if you have any comments or complaints about current walking canes you may use.

Thanks again!
Sara
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