A couple of years ago I discovered what just might be the most useful "gimplement" (that's a tool, or implement, that makes life easier for gimpy people like me - otherwise known as a daily living aid) I have ever owned. It's actually a pair of tools: two different styles of Telestik portable reachers.
Standard reachers have always been useless to me, as they require the user to squeeze a trigger in order to grip an object, and hand strength is not something I was blessed with. Telestik reachers use alternate methods of grasping objects, and require very little hand strength. Between the two models, there are three different ways to grab onto an object. The MA4000 model features a powerful magnet capable of lifting metal objects up to one pound. It is also hook shaped, allowing one to snag objects which may not be attracted to the magnet. The other model, AD3000, has a strong, yet clean adhesive, also capable of lifting up to one pound. Despite its strength, the adhesive doesn't leave behind any sticky residue and won't tear paper. It can be easily cleaned with soap and water if it begins to lose its stickiness, and the adhesive discs can be replaced. It also has a cap to protect it when not in use. While this model does also have a small hook on the back, I find that most attempts to use it cause the cap to fall off.
I use my MA4000 every single day, for all sorts of things. If I need to pick up a stack of papers from the floor, I'll drop a metal clip, clip it on the pages with my feet and then snag it with the magnet. I can pick up a toilet paper roll from low storage spaces by wedging the hook inside. I even use it to tuck hair behind my ears and to pull my glasses off of my face.
I use the AD3000 less often than the magnetic model, but it is still handy for those times when I need to retrieve an object that is neither magnetic nor able to be caught by the hook on the MA4000. Among other things, I have used it to pick up a piece of paper that fell behind my desk, a TV remote dropped between the couches, and even to lower food packages from the kitchen cupboard.
One of the best things about both Telestik models is that they are telescopic, and collapse down to about seven inches long. This makes them extremely portable compared to those bulky squeeze trigger reachers, as they can easily fit into a purse or backpack to go everywhere with you.
I can no longer imagine life without my Telestik reachers. In fact, I'm going to add a second pair to my Christmas list, so that I can have a pair both at work and at home. (Even though they're super portable, digging around in my purse all the time gets to be a hassle, and often in the haste of leaving either location, something gets left behind.)
Disclosure: The links in this post are affiliate links, and I will be paid a commission for sales generated through them. The opinions, however, are 100% honest and mine alone.
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