Input on New Products | Arthritis Information

 

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.

I've been attempting to fully understand the implications of arthritis but I realize that the best feedback comes from those of you who live with this everyday.

Any input is appreciated. Thank you!

Sara
First find the cure for Spam.......This kind of message/question has been posted before, maybe if you did a search for kitchen or design or household it would bring them up. Hello again!

Thank you all 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 Good luck.  Good products are needed.Sara

I can no longer use a cane cuz of the RA in my hands, wrists and elbows.  But when I did, the biggest problem I had was setting it down (leaving it on the shopping cart) and forgetting it.  So my suggestion is when one is about to forget their cane, for the cane to say, "Hey, don't forget me."  [QUOTE=Joie]Sara

I can no longer use a cane cuz of the RA in my hands, wrists and elbows.  But when I did, the biggest problem I had was setting it down (leaving it on the shopping cart) and forgetting it.  So my suggestion is when one is about to forget their cane, for the cane to say, "Hey, don't forget me."  [/QUOTE]

There are alarms available for just that purpose.  they're usually sold in the business/travel section of places like OfficeDepot.  It's typically two small keychain-size tags.  You affix one to the object you're tracking (typically a notebook computer bag or some other carryon luggage) and keep the other on your person.  When the tags get too far apart (typically 10-30 feet) one of them sounds an alarm.  When I travelled frequently for business, I used one on my notebook computer bag.
I want that cane with a thicker, cushioned handle and Joie's idea is funny but such a good one!

Thanks Jas.  That's good to know there's such a device.  I may have a future use for one, and I'll tell my "senior" (forgetful) friends about it, and maybe also my nephew, to put on his 2 year old (though it would be constantly beeping)   
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