A grabber is a device that is meant to assist you if you have difficulty reaching, retrieving, picking, and placing objects. It can be useful in any setting, including a household or office. When choosing a grabber, there are a number of factors that you might consider.
A good grabber should extend your reach to help you retrieve objects of various sizes and weights in a safe manner with little physical strain. It should also be user-friendly, ergonomic, and save you money.
Who Needs a Grabber?
There are a number of conditions that may necessitate the use of a grabber. For example:
- Muscular dystrophy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Arthritis
- Scoliosis
- Joint pain
- Weakened muscle strength related to injury
- Old age
A typical grabber mainly consists of a shaft and mechanical claw. These and other parts enable it to mimic some functions and motions of your hand. Modern grabbers available in the market have features specific to the disability of some conditions. These features may include a locking mechanism that helps to maintain a firm grip on the object you want to access without requiring much muscle strength. Some have a suction cup grabber or several tips with the suction capability to allow for a more secure grip.
With so many choices, the best grabber should be able to do several things. For instance, it should:
- Not slip from the hand. A grabber that has arm straps securely attaches to your forearm to prevent slippage. It also promotes good retrieving strength.
- Reach, grip, and retrieve something effectively
- Completely reduce the risk of injury or any accidental harm to your body.
- Be operatable with one hand. There are grabbers that require both hands and may not be ideal for some people.
- Handle and grab small objects such as pens, paper, and cutlery.
- Reach far enough without weighing much. Choose a grabber that extends your reach by 2 feet or more.
Before you buy, try the grabber to see how good it grips. Although they may cost more, the ones with locking mechanisms such as hooks, magnets, and rubber suction cup grips ensure that you don’t drop items that you’ve already picked.
If you’d like to skip the search and sample only a few options, ask if there is any grabber that is specifically made for people with your condition.
Also, if you can, consider checking out electro-mechanical grabbers that reduce the need to apply a lot of strength. Always remember to read the documentation that comes with the device to use it safely, though.
