Best of the Best Easy Open Container , even frozen: about $1 each, BPA free. Found everywhere, including Menards in the Midwest, Target, Walmart.
07/27/26- 08/23/26 Costco Snapware Pyrex 18 piece glass food storage, with easy to remove BPA free lids. $19.99 in warehouse. Online, much more
Target’s UP AND UP brand now carries a Twist and Store product that is BPA free. Useful sizes include 2-3/4 cup, and smaller 1/2 cup size perfect for sauces and salad dressings “on the go”. I like the measurements imbedded in the clear container walls allowing mixing within the container. Targets smaller 1/2 cup is the only brand I can find that has an easy twist to open feature in the smallest size for sauces and salad dressings.
It’s the little things around the house that can be frustrating, especially most “tight seal” food containers that are impossible to open when frozen. I don’t like to have to ask someone else to open tight containers although asking for help is something I am working on. (I like to be independent). These food storage containers are ingenious. The twist and turn containers have a great seal, hold up nicely in the top rack of a dishwasher and can be easily opened even when filled with frozen food. And of course, putting food into a sliding loc or double seal ziploc works great too and saves freezer space.
Its winter in Minnesota right now and 4” of new snow is on the ground. its picture perfect right after Christmas, and we need the precipitation after an epic drought year. However, many falls happen, especially in years like this with icy coating on the sidewalks or parking lots. My brother in law in Massachusetts just had a fall going down stone steps out the back door. it was ”black ice”, not visible to the eye. It can happen in a flash.
Tips:
–super good treads on shoes or boots. I like Keen or Merrell brand shoes and boots with great traction for snow and ice.
–yak traks or smaller ”Quick Trax” by Yaktrax,
–good walking stick on snow/ice or uneven ground or rock climbing. I like my Trekker Fx lite walking stick from REI.
-good handrail on front steps.
Problem Spots at home:
Wearing multifocal glasses on steps, especially going down, was the MAIN cause of falls overall inside the home, according to a rehabilitation study. The lenses distort your depth perception and you misstep. I noticed this when getting my bifocals in my 40’s.
-adjust glasses so you can see the steps, either on your head or down on your nose.
Carrying laundry bins or boxes on the steps. This can happen at any age, but I know it nearly happened to me when I had a laundry room downstairs.
-mesh bag drag with clean or dirty laundry , using separate bags.
-use the railing when carrying things up and down
-light up your stairway adequately
-consider moving your laundry room to the main level if you have a history of falls. Stackable laundry units take up minimal space, and have very acceptable capacity.
Ladders or step stools:
My 95 year old mother in law kept using a step stool to reach her yarn supplies on a top step, and several near falls happened. (the step stool went missing one day…) My own Mom had high pantry shelves that were hard to reach with her petite height. I moved supplies down to where she could reach by cleaning out a lower cupboard.
-reorganize most used supplies on a lower shelf, move less needed supplies up higher. Pick up a low shelving unit for additional pantry or craft supplies.
Rug Corners (trip hazard): it’s happened to many of us, yet we really like our rugs, especially in the winter. I just found this product: non-slip, removable rug grippers, for corners, with no sticky residue on floors. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6DW24H7/ref=dp_iou_view_item?ie=UTF8&th=1
Helps:
-use reachers like my new favorite: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWCR5Z4R?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 currently has a 50% off coupon code right below the pricing. Available in blue as well, for a price point of $7.50 each for the best long handled reacher I’ve ever used, as a long time OT. (Pricing August 2023)
This well loved muffin tin was directly over my head and the gripper held tightly and ergonomically.
-adjustable extension poles for washing outside windows and painting siding. I found mine at Home Depot. It worked great attached to a variety of tools, including a squeegee, paint pad and roller.
-extension roof rake for clearing off snow on the front of your roof from the ground. -Use power spraying hose tool for washing high windows from the ground.
–Ask a younger person to do it! Isn’t it hard to ask for help when you’ve always done things yourself? It takes grace to ask a younger neighbor, friend or family member to help out. But they will likely be glad to help.
January weather in Minnesota is frightful right now at zero degrees and many senior friends are booked for travel to points south. Whether you yourself have joint pain or lifting limitations or are traveling with a family member who does, travel can be challenging and painful. Handling luggage in and out of cars, overhead luggage rack on the plane or off the baggage claim carousels are the most difficult for me when traveling alone. Here are some of my favorite travel tips to “lighten your load”.
Asking for help. I have found fellow travelers to be very willing to help with helping to lift luggage from the overhead plane bins or off of the luggage carousels.
Travel lighter. I wear my heaviest jeans, athletic shoes and slacks when flying, and keep my coat or jacket on. I resist my tendency to “overpack” or have a new outfit for every day and plan to do laundry part way through my trip. I pack light “flip flops” for slippers, showering or pool areas to lighten my load. I do pack one pair of lighter dressy shoes.
Try out roller bags to make sure all four rollers move easily and don’t strain your low back. (see reviews on best roller bags, above.) The review also features a smaller roller camera bag that can double to carry lightweight items like shoes, insulated pack to carry medication.
The Arthritis Today magazine suggests that you don’t overpack into one suitcase but spread your items among a few smaller cases. Use a fanny pack to carry important documents and medications close to your body and for travel security. Invest in a smaller “tuck under” the seat suitcase to avoid overhead lifting in the plane.
If you’re traveling during a “flare up” and the walking distance is too long between airport gates, airlines are willing to get you a wheeled escort via “golf cart” or wheelchair. Asking for help is still difficult for me, but it was a relief and made a trip for my mom’s 90th birthday party possible!
Find a local pool to stay strong and ease pain while traveling.
Including Instant and Low Cost Lighting Solutions without an Electrician or Handyman! My top picks have no batteries or light bulbs to change!
Under $5 Instant Stick-on motion lights for stairways, basements or bathrooms from Menards or Home Depot
My 91 year old mother commented that we need more light as we age, especially for reading, and navigating dark hallways, basements and , yes, more nighttime trips to the bathroom while half asleep! As I have reached my sixties I have also noticed that I need more light as I enter the house into a dark hallway, stairway and in the longer dark days during the winter, and focused task lighting when I do crafting or reading. A recent trip to Costco showed a full aisle of lighting solutions, probably tailored to our aging baby- boomer population who are noticing the need to “spotlight” or task light as they age. Many low-maintence LEDs for indoors and outside have integrated bulbs that don’t require replacements! (Double win: no climbing of ladders to replace light bulbs)! Several were $29.99 or high of $44.99.
Integrated LED lights for interior or outside. Most with no bulb replacement and easy install. Some interior lights have dimmer options
Our neighbors who are in their late seventies have a dark stairway down to their basement laundry room and have stumbled a few times on the dimly lit stairs. We loaned them our $2.50 battery “hockey puck” motion activated LED light (above) to see if that additional light would give more security without alot of wiring or fuss. This instant solution worked so well, that our friends hightailed it to the home store to buy a few motion activated lights. As we adapt our home to “age in place” and prevent falls, I am looking for low cost solutions that don’t require wiring or frequent maintenance and can be installed quickly.
Snap power Guidelight 2 outlets or switch lights require no wiring, batteries or bulb replacement. Auto on and off with light sensor. Outlet comes in traditional outlet or GFI for $18 and free shipping from walmart, amazon or direct from Snappower, made in the USA. Snap power light switch is 14.98 from walmart, amazon or snappower direct. Just switch out the plates and done!
My favorite almost- instant lighting fixture is the Guidelight 2 from Snap Power auto on and off (light sensor) outlet or switch plate, which any home handyperson can manage in about 5 minutes by just changing out the switchplates. No electrician or rewiring is needed. It also works for kitchen outlets to light up your countertop work space, which is something we seem to need after age 55. According to the Techlicious.com, the LED lights should last for up to 25 years, and cost about 10 cents a year in electricity. I like that Snappower is made in the USA (Utah). https://www.techlicious.com/blog/snappower-switchlight-safelight-guidelihgt-2-usb-charger/
Eufy set of 3 “lumi stick-on night lights” from Amazon are highly rated. Great for a park model trailer, RV or camper.
Lightening up and aging in place in your own home just got easier!
It happened in an instant. A fall off a mountain bike, which happened to my brother last week. Or a fall on a ski hill for my friend Ellen last winter. Or a planned surgery with a long recovery in a sling or cast. Suddenly, little things become difficult. From putting on socks to opening jars and cutting your food. How can I do daily tasks without someone there all the time?
I thought I’d hit the highlights of hardest things that I needed to do myself after my dominant hand and arm were casted.
Dressing: Use yoga or light stretch exercise pants during your recovery, so you can pull them up one handed. I found some great looking stretchable slacks and shorts at Lands End in their “starfish” pants collection. There is a “sock aid” available if you if need help long term putting on your socks and it works well. For the short term, wear loose socks which can be put on this way: 1) Sit on the side of the bed, or if balance is a problem, lay on your back in bed. Cross your leg so you can reach your foot. (Or laying in bed, relax your knee and bring your foot towards you) 2) Spread sock apart with your free hand inside sock, and slide it over your toes. 3) Shimmy the sock up your foot. Now you see why I suggested wearing loose socks!
My husband learned to put on socks one handed after a ski fall
Shoes: Sturdy slip ons work the best. if you’re in a heavy cast or immobilized arm, you may want to use a long handled shoe horn, which my husband found at Walmart, with a spring loaded feature:
Spring loaded shoe horn Walmart
Around the house: Opening jars If you’re on your own, getting food out is a bit tricky. I have a decent jar opener that is mounted under a cabinet that only takes one hand. (like the one below) If you have a long term condition or weakness in one hand, a mounted jar opener isn’t a bad idea.
Bed Bath and Beyond $5.99 before coupon
Or put (previously opened) jars between your knees to stabilize while you open it with your free hand.
Hold jars or packages between your knees to stabilize
Opening microwave packages and cutting food: Pre-packaged microwaveable dinners are a life saver if you’re limited to one hand. A super sharp scissors is a huge help to open packages and a variety of other chores since you can use it one handed. You can hold the microwave package between your knees (or put a heavy tool like a hammer, on top). Cut one end (carefully) with a super sharp scissors. You can even use a sharp scissors to cut food, especially washable kitchen shears. I hope these ideas help you get by as you heal. Hang in there, things get better!
Do you have any other tricks or tools that help you do things at home? Please send me a message!
Super lightweight, flexible and easy to drag Now “Amazon’s choice” for hoses and best hoses 2024 on garden blogs
updated 05/24
The whole country is parched with a massive heat wave, and our yards and gardens are showing the stressas much as we are. It seems like we went from sweater weather to southern- style heat and humidity this year, even though we live in central Minnesota where our springs are usually moderate. Despite our rainy spring and summer so far, the ground dries up quickly with the furnace like heat spell we’ve been having this month (July 2019), and we’ve been watering often.
Available at many garden stores or discount stores. Watch for sales, I got this for $29.99 at Fleet Farm
I was impressed when my sister showed me her Zero G hoses this spring, and I instantly understood why she replaced all her older hoses with this lightweight, flexible but sturdy hose. It’s not a wimpy or “girly hose” either- it’s rated well by garden sites and carries a 5 year warranty. Like many of us with tender or aging bodies, lifting or dragging a hose is one of the hardest garden tasks we do. In fact, our mother ended up with a nasty fall after pulling a typical hose in her small yard just a few years ago. So I was thrilled to find a hose that I can manage without asking for help and especially without strain or pain. This baby pulls easily across the grass, and has a “space age” feature that is kind of fun: when the water is turned off and drains, the zero-g hose contracts like a shriveled snake and becomes instantly lightweight and easy to coil and stash. I’m sold on this new technology, and my husband is impressed too.
Hang in there! The humidity is supposed to lift this week! It does make me crave fall, my favorite season.
2024 Quality control update- my zero G hose got sucked into the snowblower and came out working perfect. Also, new hose to house coupling sleeve is easier on the hands as of 2023.
my beautiful Mom at 91, walking around park trails with her new walker (and me)
Drive Nitro Euro style rollator Available for as little as $199 on line on multiple stores. Highly endorsed by Gypsy!
I was so blessed lately to have time with my beautiful 91 year old mom, who lives in New England. Mom is a bottomless well of positivity, in spite of painful arthritis all over, she never complains! What an amazing attitude and example to me!
I was amazed at Mom’s increased mobility both outside and in with her new walker. The first thing I observed was that she was able to stand about 2″ straighter in this walker compared to a standard device.
The design is stellar- A lightweight walker that maneuvers easily around obstacles, and a variety of terrains. The front wheels are 10″ and although not pneumatic, they navigated over a crushed pebble driveway and dirt trails without getting bogged down. The bench seat is comfortable for seniors who need to sit down to rest during outings,
Best tip for caregivers: the walker is lightweight, folds easily and is much easier to stash into vehicles than the average bench walker.
If you have a family member in need of a walker, talk to your physical therapist about this new device, or take it for a spin at one of the equipment stores. (Medicare may cover this equipment, ask your health professional or medical equipment provider) I see it listed on line at Walmart, Walgreens, Amazon and medical equipment stores.
Note: Although I am a licensed occupational therapist, I am not paid to promote products. These observations are my personal and professional opinion.
Trader Joe luscious basil plants Target Calla lillies
Over two years ago, my husband and some friends helped remove most of my perennial beds since I was scheduled for a surgery related to a form of arthritis I have that limits what I can ( and should do). I also hurt if I do too much. Although it was difficult to “let go” of many of my favorite plants, I realized that my yard was taking too much of my time and I wasn’t enjoying it anyway. It seemed I was being given an opportunity to let go, figure out a new way of doing things and to accept “what is”. The upside was being able to give alot of plants away. Many plants went to friends, a new neighbor who I got to know as she dug things up. Some clumps went to a local parochial school. A volunteer master gardener from a hospice house came and took away large numbers of plants, as she assured me that the residents found such peace sitting in the garden and my plants would add to the beauty of that space. The asparagus clumps we had planted 5 years previously took over much of our available sunny patches and mulching with newspaper and grass clippings ( on top) eliminated much of the work. I realized I loved my basil (and lemon basil pesto made yearly in the blender) and would prioritize a few things I could still grow in a raised bed. We purchased a few raised bed kits (on sale in the winter at Home Depot). I now let Trader Joe grow the basil plants as I do my small salad garden with arugula (easy grow in sandy soil), basil and asparagus. I also use a low stool, and ergonomic tools (OXO good grips for the gardener). As you can see, my garden and yard are far from perfect! The creeping charlie insists on taking over parts of the lawn and we are not one of those beautiful lawn without dandelions people!
Raised bed, low utility stool and mulch from grass clippings
I have been thinking alot about acceptance lately, and “living life on life’s terms”, concepts from 12 step recovery programs including Al-anon. They help me with my faith journey and living with a chronic illness with unknown variables from day to day. Whether you are aging, dealing with a chronic illness or just letting go of some unhealthy habits in your daily life, I wish you God’s peace!
Some years ago, I read an article about simplifying housework, or finding ways to do less without guilt. For example, hide messes in the oven, or throw toys in a bin when a guest was coming over. Or better yet, just leave the dirty dishes in the sink and welcome your friend in the house anyway! Another work saver was spot cleaning the floor when spilling in one area rather than wash the whole floor.
This is a struggle for alot of us who are too hard on ourselves or do too much! Enter a sore back, chronic pain or just normal aging and we have a choice to make. Keep hurting or try a new cleaning tool, doing things differently or get help from someone else.
Or let a few things go.
Stop working when you’re tired or sore.
Take a break. Read a book. Take a bath….
I’ve had to learn to do things differently and to do a whole lot less than I used to. Letting go of perfect and just being “good enough”. As we hear in healthy circles, I am a human “being”, not a human “doing”.
swiffer mop or similar
I do use a swiffer to wash my floor, and often I spot clean a mess on the floor. I use my foot (and clean shoes) to wipe up small spot rather than stoop and twist to reach the floor. My other “go to ” trick is to sit on a low foot stool (Rubbermaid or other) to do chores including gardening, or wiping something up without stooping or twisting.
It’s still cold here in Minnesota, so today a pot of chicken wild rice soup is simmering on the gas stove , after roasting a bird and making wonderful stock yesterday, done by my husband Pete. There’s nothing more comforting than fresh chicken soup with sage, rosemary and thyme simmering on the stove and humidifying the house.
When I first developed weak hands years ago, I struggled with continuing to do the things I loved in the kitchen, like making soups or stews. I learned to get good tools, like this stock pot and other “go to gear” (see previous post) to make food prep easier. I have also switched alot of my cooking to the slow cooker which eliminates most lifting.
Delta Linden faucet with pull-out hose.
My post today is using tools and smart tips to make soups and stews easier. My favorite kitchen gadget in the last few years is this Delta faucet with a pull out hose, which allows me to fill pans, a coffee carafe or water pitcher without lifting. My kitchen has a short, straight counter from the sink to the stove, so that filled pots can slide easily from the sink to the burner. I also found that the oxo stock pot has handles that are easier to lift.
To reduce chopping when making soups or stews, I add alot of frozen vegetables, or minced garlic from a jar. I also use the chopping/slicing attachment for my kitchenaid stand mixer or small Cuisinart food processor when I need to slice or chop ingredients. See “go-to-gear for the kitchen” for my favorite chopping, peeling and cutting tools.
What tools or shortcuts do you use in the kitchen?
Arthritis and Aging Home Smarts 