Arthritis Osteoarthritis Support & Coping Useful Gadgets for People With Hand Osteoarthritis By Carol Eustice Carol Eustice LinkedIn Twitter Carol Eustice is a writer who covers arthritis and chronic illness. She is the author of "The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis." Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 08, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We use our hands to accomplish many different tasks. We typically don't often consider just how much we use our hands for simple tasks, such as turning a lamp switch or a door knob. Simple tasks can be made difficult, though, if you have hand osteoarthritis. The good news is that there are assistive devices designed specifically for individuals with hand osteoarthritis. These items allow simple tasks to be simple again! 1 Big Lamp Switch Photo from Amazon Do you ever have difficulty turning a lamp switch on or off? Such a task should be simple. But, osteoarthritis makes such simple tasks difficult and painful. The Big Lamp Switch has a three-spoked knob to provide more leverage. All you have to do is unscrew and remove the original knob, then replace it with the Big Lamp Switch. This gadget fits most standard lamps. 2 Doorknob Extender Photo from Amazon Doorknobs can be another problem for people with hand osteoarthritis. Gripping and turning just became easier with the Doorknob Extender. The Doorknob Extender converts a regular doorknob into a door lever, which provides the necessary extra leverage for those who need it. The Doorknob Extender fits right over a standard doorknob and is easy to install using a screwdriver. 3 Tube Squeezer Photo from Amazon Do you have trouble squeezing a tube of toothpaste? Does it bug you that you have to throw out a tube before squeezing out every bit of toothpaste because it's just too difficult and too painful for your hands? The Tube Squeezer protects your joints and eliminates the waste. This gadget can be used with any metal or plastic tube up to 2 inches wide. Just insert the tube, twist the side key, and the contents of your tube are squeezed out easily. 4 Bedmaker Photo from Amazon Do you leave your flat sheet untucked when changing your bed, simply because it hurts your hands to tuck it in? Hand osteoarthritis can make bed-making difficult. The Bedmaker is a durable plastic gadget that raises the mattress enough so you can more easily tuck in the sheet. Advertised as a gadget that saves your back, the Bedmaker works to save your hands, too. 5 Outside Faucet Turner Image provided by Aids for Arthritis Outdoor faucets can become hard to turn under the best circumstances. For people with hand osteoarthritis, they can be nearly impossible. The Outside Faucet Turner is a plastic tool that fits nearly all faucets and valves, including those on hot water heaters and shut-off valves for water lines. The gadget gives you the leverage you need to turn faucets and valves on and off with ease. 6 Plant Pot Mover Photo from Amazon Many people with arthritis love gardening, especially planting flowers in pots. However, pots can be difficult to move once they are filled with dirt and they become heavy. The Pot Mover protects your hands, as well as other joints. Simply wedge the footplate underneath the potted plant, secure the arms around it, tilt the Pot Mover back, and move your plant anywhere you want it to be. By Carol Eustice Carol Eustice is a writer who covers arthritis and chronic illness. She is the author of "The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit