Did you know that September is Arthritis Awareness Month in Canada? According to Arthritis Canada (new window), approximately six million Canadians are affected by arthritis. Many of the devices in our library are designed for people with arthritis. Here’s a look at some of our favourites:
Button Aid
If you find buttoning clothes difficult, the handy Button Aid helps with buttoning so you can dress comfortably in your favourite outfit.
This handheld tool includes a thin loop that can be inserted through a button hole to catch and pull the button through.
Attribution: Designed by Mariano Guarino (new window).
Learn more about the Button Aid (new window)
Pull-Tab Tin Can Opener
Having troubles opening the pull-tab on a can? The Pull-Tab Tin Can Opener makes it easy to open a tin can with minimal effort.
Using a rounded design that allows you to apply force, this device eliminates the need to grab the small pull-tab in order to open the can.
Attribution: Designed by 4xsample (new window) for PrintLab. Documentation by Neil Squire Society released under CC BY-SA 4.0 License.
Learn more about the Pull-Tab Tin Can Opener (new window)
Milk Carton Opener
The Milk Carton Opener allows users with limited grip strength to open 2-litre milk and juice cartons.
The device is simple to use — just place the hole of the device over the lid of the carton. This will provide a larger grip for the user on the lid of the carton so less grip force is required to open the lid.
This is a simple 3D print, so the device costs less than a dollar in material.
Attribution: Design by Tony Glynn; Documentation by Neil Squire Society/Makers Making Change
Learn more about the Milk Carton Opener (new window)
Flipper the Clipper
This device allows you to clip your nails using just one hand. This 3D printed devices folds flat and has notches for a standard nail clipper to sit in.
To use this device, first place a nail clipper onto the device notches. Hold the rounded end and lift the device off the table surface, causing the device to “flip.” Rest the device on a flat surface and start clipping.
Requiring just a single printed item and costing approximately 75 cents in materials, it’s an easy device to make.
Attribution: Designed by Nisker_ (Thingiverse) (new window) and remixed from SONOKO (new window)
Learn more about the Flipper the Clipper (new window)
Blister Pack Opener
Do you struggle to open blister packs?
The Blister Pack Opener is designed to help users, including those with arthritis or limited hand strength, open blister packs of pills with ease.
With a simple design, it should cost less than a dollar in materials to print.
Attribution: Design by IvyB (new window) on thingiverse.com; Documentation by Neil Squire Society/Makers Making Change
Learn more about the Blister Pack Opener (new window)
This post originally appeared on the Makers Making Change (new window) website.