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Post by monklady123 on Sept 27, 2023 15:52:38 GMT
You've probably seen the commercials or catalogues... elderly people sitting in a chair and using who of those long grabber things to reach something. Well back in the pandemic we bought two 2-packs from Amazon, and dd, dh, and I would go out on what we called Trash Pickup Walks. My whole town was doing them. Well, the three we used (and still use from time to time) are in the crock with the umbrellas. The 4th one, i.e., the one that hasn't been used to pick up trash, is sitting in our hall closet. This morning I decided that I've had enough of the mess in one of my bottom kitchen cupboards. Unfortunately it's one of those deep ones with a back corner that's impossible to get to without getting down on the floor and reaching waaaay in. I decided not to do that, lol, and then I remembered my 4th grabber. It reached those hidden vases and a pitcher easily. I'm old.   |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Sept 27, 2023 16:07:57 GMT
One of the best things I got from my mom's house when we cleaned it out was her grabber! I use that thing for all sorts of things. I am older (66), but I go with the reasoning that I'm short!  |
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chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Sept 27, 2023 16:14:12 GMT
I was once at the grocery store and noticed an elderly woman eyeing something pushed back on a top shelf that she couldn't reach. I started walking over to see if I could fetch it for her, but could tell that I was also too short. Before I even reached her, she whipped out her grabber, retrieved what she wanted, and asked if I wanted one too 😄
We do have one at home and it is so handy to reach behind and under things!
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,752
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Sept 27, 2023 16:20:23 GMT
We have a grabber that sits between our chairs in the family room and we use it to pick up dog toys while sitting so we can toss them to our dog again. She has a habit of bringing toys back to you but “just” out of reach and then wanting you to throw again.  |
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Post by disneypal on Sept 27, 2023 16:25:02 GMT
As a vertically challenged person, I find grabbers handy. I use it to reach higher shelves/cabinets in my house. It is quicker than getting the step ladder out ever time.
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Post by brenda89 on Sept 27, 2023 16:51:46 GMT
I haven't used mine much, but I ordered one last year when my back was out. I'm 52 and was thinking I might need it in the future!! Luckily my back healed up fine, but I have a grabber on stand-by. |
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Post by katiekaty on Sept 27, 2023 17:04:25 GMT
Using adaptive equipment doesn’t mean you are old. I’ve leaned that through all the therapy I have had over the last fifteen years. The PTs always say it’s working smarter and safer. Using a grabber means not climbing on something and prevents a fall. Step stools with handles are safer. I have used several pieces of equipment and have my eye on a couple more. You can find some catalogs from different companies online and they will send you actual print one to peruse. Enjoy making your life easier and safer.
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Post by librarylady on Sept 27, 2023 17:13:23 GMT
It can also mean you are short. When my mother died, I brought her grabber home and use it often. I am only 5' tall, so there are lots of things I can't reach. They have improved grabbers so much I think I might replace hers with one that offers a better grip than one from the 1990s.
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Post by flutterbymom on Sept 27, 2023 17:13:42 GMT
I'm 5 foot tall and I use my grabber to pick up things I can't reach at the bottom of my washing machine.  Socks are usually just out of reach even when I'm hanging into the washer. My husband borrows the grabber to take down our Christmas lights off the house. He hates ladders and using the grabber keeps him from having to go very high on the ladder. |
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Post by gramasue on Sept 27, 2023 17:14:21 GMT
I don't think you're old - I think you're brilliant! I seriously just a few minutes ago used a pair of tongs to reach something from the top shelf of my pantry. So, this post is very timely. I must look into this 'grabber' thing!
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leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,637
Location: Northern California
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Sept 27, 2023 17:46:24 GMT
I don't think you're old - I think you're brilliant! I seriously just a few minutes ago used a pair of tongs to reach something from the top shelf of my pantry. So, this post is very timely. I must look into this 'grabber' thing! I had to laugh at this. Our clothes washer is off our kitchen but partially blocked by a wall and I have a hard time reaching in it to get to the clothes at the bottom. I've been using a pair of long bbq tongs forever! DH caught me and gave me a grabber he had in the garage. |
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 27, 2023 17:48:58 GMT
Glad to see so many other people use them! I'm 5'6"...not overly tall but tall enough that it didn't occur to me that shorter people would find them useful also. My mother was only 5'1" but she always had my 6' dad to reach things for her. But she probably would have used the grabber when he wasn't around. And of course when my sister and I were still at home we were the "grabbers". hahaha
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Post by scrapmaven on Sept 27, 2023 18:06:16 GMT
I hate my grabber. It barely picks up cans and then drops them near your feet.
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Post by Zee on Sept 27, 2023 18:14:40 GMT
Hey, as long as you can, get down on your knees and back up.
I recently had a 95 year old patient who moved like a 50 year old. She said she was a physical therapist for 52 years and always stays active. She's only in the hospital because she had "a cough I couldn't shake for a couple of weeks" (actually, pneumonia!). I have a new idol.
Though, I'm also short. And my knees hurt. And my back is stiff. I get it.
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lavawalker1
Full Member
Posts: 453
Jul 9, 2021 21:41:57 GMT
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Post by lavawalker1 on Sept 27, 2023 18:56:41 GMT
I bought a grabber at 57 when we bought a new house. One of our windows with shutters is out of my reach(I’m 5’9), so I use the grabber to open the shutter.
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 27, 2023 18:59:17 GMT
Hey, as long as you can, get down on your knees and back up. I recently had a 95 year old patient who moved like a 50 year old. She said she was a physical therapist for 52 years and always stays active. She's only in the hospital because she had "a cough I couldn't shake for a couple of weeks" (actually, pneumonia!). I have a new idol. Though, I'm also short. And my knees hurt. And my back is stiff. I get it. Yeah, it was one of my knees that caused me to think twice about getting down there. But I know you're right about staying active. Now that our awful hot weather is past I've been trying to get back to daily walking. Which doesn't involve getting down on my knees. haha |
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,159 
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Post by lindas on Sept 27, 2023 19:04:14 GMT
I bought a grabber because I was tired of getting out the stepladder to get to things on the top shelves of my kitchen cabinets.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 27, 2023 19:18:59 GMT
I hate my grabber. It barely picks up cans and then drops them near your feet. Yes, I was coming to say that my grabber has small magnets in grabbing part which is great for keys but other things slip, even a box of tea bags. I no longer use it for things over head. The top shelves are empty. I have been told, no climbing.. they are right! Stool is not good. I almost wish I had kept my ladder... Going to look for a different grabber. |
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Post by librarylady on Sept 27, 2023 19:39:01 GMT
I hate my grabber. It barely picks up cans and then drops them near your feet. My guess is that you have an older one. The one I am using (25+ years old) is almost that bad. I'm going to purchase a good one.
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Post by femalebusiness on Sept 27, 2023 20:41:28 GMT
I am really short so I have had one of those in each room since they were invented. I use them almost daily.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,868
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Post by tracylynn on Sept 27, 2023 22:48:03 GMT
I'm still in my 40's and love that thing.
I use it for my deep washing machine to grab socks and underwear, I use it to clean up after my dog-go and his toys that scatter everywhere, everyday. And anything else I can use it for!
Best device ever!
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Sue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,234
Location: SE of Portland, Oregon
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Post by Sue on Sept 27, 2023 22:56:02 GMT
I've got bad knees so I use a grabber when I need to. Better than a grabber though are grandkids. I use them frequently. |
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,456
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Post by sassyangel on Sept 27, 2023 22:57:37 GMT
Ive had one for years to grab things that fall behind the couch.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,179
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Sept 27, 2023 23:45:46 GMT
I’ve had a couple around the house for years. They are very useful for getting things out of places that are too small for me to get in to, or when things are just out of reach.
I also started using them for placing the hummingbird feeders on the hooks - they are behind some boxwood bushes and I did not want to squeeze behind them and risk scraping my legs or something when I was having my knees replaced (my neighbor told me horror stories of two people who had infections from scratches/scrapes that messed up their knee replacements). They work beautifully from in front of the boxwoods.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 28, 2023 0:34:42 GMT
I'm still in my 40's and love that thing. I use it for my deep washing machine to grab socks and underwear, I use it to clean up after my dog-go and his toys that scatter everywhere, everyday. And anything else I can use it for! Best device ever! I just saw a pair on Amazon, one was 32" the other was 19" and they mentioned it was for washing machines. |
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Post by peasapie on Sept 28, 2023 4:01:42 GMT
This thread is like a grabber advertisement.
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TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 2,811
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Post by TXMary on Sept 28, 2023 4:10:23 GMT
I just recently bought one but more because I’m 5’2” than because I’m 61. I have used long tongs forever and it seemed like maybe it was time to up my game a little.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 28, 2023 4:30:53 GMT
This thread is like a grabber advertisement. Ok as long as they are for things, not parts... |
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PaperAngel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,355
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Sept 28, 2023 4:55:27 GMT
This would be a useful tool for an elderly parent. Any recommendations/links? TIA.
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bklyngal62
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,984
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Post by bklyngal62 on Sept 28, 2023 12:53:35 GMT
I use my grabber a lot. Helps me get things from top shelves and now that my knees are so bad I can get things from the back of bottom shelves.
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Socks are usually just out of reach even when I'm hanging into the washer. My husband borrows the grabber to take down our Christmas lights off the house. He hates ladders and using the grabber keeps him from having to go very high on the ladder. 
