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Date: 06.02.2010
From: Stan

Subject: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hello everybody, we are Stan & Jordi , two design students from college of arts and design in dublin. We are just starting a project which aims to come up with a product to make arthritis patients' lives better (at least in one way). We realize that many arthritis aids are an eyesore to look at, and stigmatize the user as a disabled person. We would be very grateful for your feedback on a few questions. What are the products you use, and what you think about them? Do they really help, do you like the way they look? Are there products that you would like to have, but can't find? What are your biggest problems in everyday life? Any information you could give us would be of great value. Our project is sponsored by Pfizer company, so it is very likely that we might actually produce the final design.

Do you live in dublin and could meet us to talk?
Thank you for all answers! Jordi & Stan.
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Stan. I'm an oldish? [55] arthritis sufferer but also a bit of an old rocker. My kids have been looking for a cool walking stick for me but can't find one. I have an NHS one and obviously it's just the prescription for me but it's very boring.

I'm sure the younger members here would also be glad for something modern looking as well. Good luck and hope you get more feedback.
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: sally

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

hi, there is a thread further down asking similar things which some of us have replied too.
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Kayjay U R still young me old china!!...55 is young ok, im 49 and we deserve nice things too,Y?becos we r entitled to them, becos we r still young and deffo not old LOL, ...yet!...i saw an old lady a while back, she had a very colourful walking stick...so they do exist, but where, dont know......I think even the very elderly deserve Nice things too, colourful, things with butterflies, punk looking stuff, rocker stuff, all the things we like....y should all the disabled stuff be grey?? even
children get given Grey crutches!!/,

Regards the other aids, i.e. grab rails, they r white, ok for shower rooms, but i cant see that they can have colourful grab rails? or raised toilet seats?they r all white, cant see how they can colour co ordinate for peoples tastes....but regards crutches and walking sticks, they should be attractive, interesting!....Like Sally said Jordi and stan, she left a great thread with regards all these issues u talk about....goood luck
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Oh Jill thanx for cheering me up. I'm 55 but feel like 85 especially when our senior citizens overtake me on the pavement lol. I even had an oldie tut tutting behind me because I am so slow in walking - and she was on a MOBILITY SCOOTER !!

Anyway there are far worse things to have and I'm still beathing so it's all good. My kids have been looking for a proper rocker type walking stick [ like with a scull handle a la Marilyn Manson ] but not found one to date. I'm off to Whitby in June for my eldest daughters Wedding so I'll check out their Goth shops !!
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Wicked Kayjay, ive deffo seen men with the scull type handle, and if u get one of those, y cld look out for scull type stickers? my kids seem to get them from mags and stuff....my daughter went thru a goth stage and had the lot,goth stuff that is, lol not walking sticks, in Hastings, they have a few goth shops,so what will u be wearing at your daughters wedding?hopefully not the usual Mother in law look!....cant imgaine ever dressing like that, thang god I still have a good look(so my kids tell me)cant get a better compliment I guess...lol.......when im bad, flare ups etc, i use my mobility scooter lol, ya feel like u r in a sports car compared to the 'slow walkers' lolol....seriously tho, the ones that use the scooters all the bliddy time, they r dangerous....i often walk slower than the 80 year olds, that upsets me bad, especially when im with my fella.....its then that I realise Just how bad this rotten disease has grabbed me.........oh well, heres to another day!...by the way, where abouts r u? im in east sussex...just wondered if u have googled anywhere regards your stylish look? we have a great place here that sells all those gorjus velvet type tops with long hooods, my m8s tell me i look like a witch lolololol...mind u, I do cackle too!!and u wld not beleive the name of my street! cant tell u on here tho, mite get a stalker!hehaheha...thata be the day!
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: sally

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi Kay, I saw a great one in an auction house yesterday, cane with silver top, very light and elegant. Considered putting a bid on it but hope I won't need one but it is what I would go for.
Actually, there were three in the lot so would be a bargain!
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

sounds fab, would have bought that....ok gotta go, getting tired and need to rest, speak to u all tomoz, have a good peaceful sleeps...love Jill
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Kayjay, theres some cool ones here! http://www.funkyarthur.co.uk/Mobility-Aids/index.html
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Date: 07.02.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hey thanx guys. Jill not got an outift yet but I'm not built for pretty and fussy stuff I tend to look like Hyacinth Bucket when I " dress up " honest !! Just give me trousers and a baggy T shirt and I'm done. Got to make an effort though for the wedding. The grooms Mum comes from Sweden and her family will be there she and her 2 daughters are brides maids and are tall/ stick thin and blond - god what a picture that's gonna be with little fat me stood near them !! They are lovely lasses though. I'm from up t'north in Sheffield.

Sally I might have a look on Ebay for a groovy walking stick - good idea and Verity thanx for that link shall have to have a gander.
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Date: 08.02.2010
From: stan, jordi

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hello, thanks for all comments. We have read the other post and it was really helpful. We made some gloves which are meant to simulate the stiffness of the joints. We will try to do everyday things in them and see if we can come up with some interesting products to make things easier for you. On 12th we are meeting arthritis patients in Pfizer research center in dublin. if you have any stories about practical aspects of your life, please share. kind regards, stan & jordi
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Date: 08.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi Stan n jordi, think its great that u r trying to see how things are in gloves that wont help u do daily things....i know u know, but just remember the Pain that goes with the stiff awkwardness, that is what truly causes the stress in all of us! I think the important things for us Arthritic people is getting the information about things like help with implements and items in the house, but so many dont hear about the DLA benefits, the Occupational therapists that can help us within the home.....us members in here try and help the ones that dont know about things out there, Y cant the health system, or the people that make addaptions for arthritic people let us ALL know that things are available!....anyway, u r doing a great job, many other students and the like come in here and say they want help in their studies, but u two are the only ones that have bothered replying to any of our posts, so we know u are genuine....carry on with the good work....thanks lots, Jill
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Date: 09.02.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Just thought of another " invention " Stan + Jordi. When we are referred to Hydrotherapy a lot of ladies find revealing all is embarresing. So I thought perhaps an all in 1 costume especially covering the legs, made in the same material as the costume ? perhaps these could be velcroed so once in the water the legs part could be taken off? I know I had a right job trying to find a costume to cover up as much as I could. Finally found one with a skirt but once in the water this just floated up. Doh !!
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Date: 10.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

ROFLMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO lolo, u R SOOOO FUNNY kAYJAY LOLOL...know what ya mean tho lol x
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Date: 10.02.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

its a very serious problem!!! lol
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Date: 11.02.2010
From: stan

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

thanks for all the resoponses guys, we have some pictures of our research coming up, and tomorrow we have a meeting with arthritis patients. looking forward to that. take care, stan/jordi
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Date: 11.02.2010
From: Kaz

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi Stan, im only 29 and on the look out for crutches or a walking aid, can't find anything "trendy" . Realise I am probably stating the obvious here, but sometimes they are the best ideas.
Take Care
P.s my little brother is caled Jordi, first time ive seen someone else with same spelling
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Date: 12.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi stan/jordi

just a thought, as I read Kaz post there, I find that when I need my crutches for walks, the handle part digs/hurts my thumb part, so I wish somehow, the part that we hold, could be made of Memory foam? hope doesnt sound silly, but that causes me issues, also, dont know if this happens with others on here, but I find that using a crutch(i use just one) that my shoulders hurt after a time, however, recently been told ive got tendon degeneration in shoulders(MRI scan was Not pretty, tendons r sooo thin) so I have that prob, seems obviously due to tendon problem....so im in a mess with the crutch thing, if I go out I hold my Fella, and if I wear a neck brace too(often do) I dont feel safe without the crutch, trip over everything! hope this makes sense to u, cos its all confusing me LOLOLOL tc Jill
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Date: 17.02.2010
From: stan

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

hi, we are just before presentation for pfizer, and arthritis ireland. we'll let you know later how it went and show our presentation, and what are our ideas for the new products. take care, stan& jordi
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Date: 24.02.2010
From: Stan&Jordi

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi all!

The presentation was ok, now we're working in our three final concepts and we would like to know som specific information like:

-How much doses do you take per day/week?
-How many different pills you take on each dose?
-Shapes and Mesures of the pills...

Also if you can give us information about what is your experience will be great, somethings like how du you organize ur pills, if u use to buy them in bottles or blisters...


Thanks for all,
Sant&Jordi
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Date: 24.02.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

hi, i don't organise my pills at all. I leave them in orginal packets and put them in plastic box. Take up to 12 a day. I don't like organisers as you don't always remember what everything is. Also, some pills I take some days and not on others, some are only as required, esp. painkillers, anti-sickness so organiser wouldn't help. There are organisers on the market but never bought them. I think it is far safer to take the pills from orginal bottles and boxes.
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Date: 24.02.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi I've got one that was Mums which used to be prepared straight from the Chemist as she had dementia which the carers gave her. I find it is good as it's in 4 sections within the separate days. BUT like Sally says you still have to take care especially if the tablets look similar. I've took my Diclofenac instead of the Lansoprazole !! very bad as one is to protect the stomach from the other one [ Diclofenac ]. Also when making the week up you can't loose concentration as you can end up putting the wrong ones in. I'm on quite a few meds as I'm Diabetic as well. They are also very handy for when you have to travel - instead of taking the whole boxes with you ending up like a Chemist shop !! So Stan mine are all different shapes and colours [ and sometimes the colours can vary depending on which Chemist has dispenced them] but I find the capsules are the worst as they look very similar.
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Date: 25.02.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Im with you on this Sally, I just have a plastic box full of different boxes of pills. I prefer to know exactly what Im taking by taking them out of the packaging each day. Not too sure on the benefits of pill dispensers? (unless of course you struggle to remember).

xx
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Date: 25.02.2010
From: stan

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

hi, we thought it would be cool if there would be pills in different colours and shapes, so it's easier to tell them apart. would you say that the organisation, remembering and "not making mistakes" is the harder part than actually handling the pill bottles/blisters/boxes (considering the hand dexterity problems).
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Date: 25.02.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Blister packs all the time for me as I'm useless at those kid proof lids [ but can quite understand why they are necessary ]. I have mine in the organiser because I'm terrible at remembering to take them but when they are in 4 sections it makes me think Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Supper . Or if you are from up t'north [ like me ] its Breakfast - Dinner - Tea - Supper !! Plus it's handy to remind you to re order your medicines from the GP's as well- becaue I do mine a week in advance.
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Date: 25.02.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

I can't open child proof bottles either! Or use child proof lighters lol. Infact anything thats childproof is also Verity proof. VERY frustrating!!

Dinner and tea all the way! None of this lunch, dinner lark!
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Date: 25.02.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Apparently you can just ask the pharmacist to give you them in different packaging if you can't open things.

The problem with designing things around colour is that people with cataracts, macular degeneration or another sight problem (colour blind?) would mix them up. Not a safe way of doing it at all. I have only once made a mistake but would have made the same mistake if they were in dispensers as the pill was identical. My local pharmacy has made more mistakes than me lol! (Yes, I did report them eventually.)
Sorry Stan, wish I could be more enthusiastic but I prefer to be disorganised.
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Date: 26.02.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

haha I agree Sally, My disorganisation works for me! I think with arthritis meds, its easier to remember to take stuff because I REALLY feel it if I dont take them!
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Date: 26.02.2010
From: stan

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

haha, we'll try to find a way to help you stay disorganised in a more organised way!
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Date: 28.02.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

What I want, Stan, is more organised in a disorganised way. Not keen on order!
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Date: 04.03.2010
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

I cant do child proof bottles either but am struggling with pill packets to at the moment but I was just thinking bout this - i struggle with anything with those squeeze and twist child lock tops - like the bleech the other day! - we could do with a device for undoing them - has anyone seen one?? theres achallenge for you stan if you need another one in the future!!!

Kirsty
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Date: 04.03.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Kirsty, I saw something on the internet yesterday for popping pills out of packets. Do you know the Disabled Living Foundation - they have a great website with links to all the sites that sell stuff. You have to do a bit of a search on the different links but they are v comprehensive. Here is the link to the pill popper on a site called miller care (the DLF took me there) but check out DLF - took me a while to suss the site out as is a bit confusign but worth it.

.http://www.millercare.co.uk/products.asp

There were lots of things for pills Stan, perhaps you should have a look too :)
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: stan

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

hi everybody, me and jordi have been very busy working on the pill project recently. the presentation of the final design is this friday morning. we are still working on the model and graphic material. we really appreciate your input, and it has been a vital part of our research. our final idea is called PILO, and it is a 4 dose pill box with a clever mechanism that should make it easy to open (and hard to confuse doses). we are dying to know what you think, and will post pictures for you to look at shortly. Hope you are all doing fine. Take care! Stan
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Date: 25.03.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi Stan good luck ;0) Mine has four sections as well and it's a slide off lid so not too much of a problem to open. But like I said when we are on a lot of meds some can look very similar. Should think this will be hard to reconcile but hey you are the inventors !! Looking forward to see your product.
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Date: 25.03.2010
From: Jae

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Design a drug that works with no side effects !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Date: 25.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Hi Stan that wld be fantastic, im on a lot of meds, about 8 different pills a day, so from my point of view, unless i can put a selection of different pills in the box(i personally dont care if its the size of a cereal box) It wouldnt be any use to me, becos if I can only put a few pills in the PILO, it wld mean that I have to go to another drawer(safe in my bedroom) take some from there and somne from the PILO.... I really need a box like say the size of a decent sized Jewellery box, with compartments that mb I cld store in weekly, but not get them mixed up....hope u get my idea LOLOL....anyway good luvk with that idea, will wait to see it....but many of us r on lots and lots of pills...Jill
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Date: 25.03.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

yeah! I need one of those too - the size of a jewellery box, with a lock so kids can't get in it.
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Date: 10.12.2010
From: valerie northwest uk

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

hi i used elbow crutches for 10yrs but my wrusts and hands couldnt take it anymore soi changed to
the "arthritic cruch" or "gutter crutch" puts your arm at 45% angle but this hurts the elbow and shoulder...
so i tryed "the smartcrutch.com" which can be set at any angle that suits you
but now they hurt my forarmsas i set them past 45% but not quite as elbow crutches
i would like someont to disgn some sort of cruther similar to the elbow crutch but instead of useing hands to lean on have a circal grip for the forarms to lean on while your arms are stright at your sides..what do you think..maybe they exist there must be somthing for people with painful or no hands and cant lean on elbows
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Date: 21.12.2010
From: Joyce McLean

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Please design a screw bottle top that can be turned by arthritic hands. I have to go out and stop someone on the street to open a bleach bottle.
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Date: 21.09.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

bumping this up for Kevin
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Date: 17.12.2012
From: Leonora

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

Dear all,

I am a student in the Netherlands, designing for OA patients. I am designing a reminder device that will periodically remind OA patients, who also work full-time, about activities, such as exercises or time for taking medicine. I need to understand what is important for the users when I create such a device.

Imagine you have a very easy to use electronic device that will remind you of such activities to you. What do you consider important for this device to have?

Could you, please, rate these criteria based on importance?

Inconspicuous

Easy to carry

Appealing to the overworkers

Easy to operate

Reliable

Environmentally friendly

Affordable price

Communicating well with user

Encouraging controlled movement

Unobtrusive

Incorporate values of family and work

Function of reminding

I would very much appreciate your feedback.
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Date: 05.01.2013
From: Dieter King

Subject: Re: We design for arthritis, and look for suggestions.

I'm a R.A (juvenile onset) patient and above knee amputee. Ive used gutter crutches all my life almost and they are the best yet available but still cause problems with long term use. Most notably carpal tunnel damage which proves irreparable, which I have found personally. My prosthetic limb utilises a 'suction socket' to hold the leg onto my stump and I wonder if some similar mechanism could be utilised in mobility walking aid design. The socket design is such that suction allows the spread of weight and pressure to the entire stump area, and not just at the very tip/end. I'm not at all design or engineering savvy so don't know whether such a system would work or not, but it may be worth consideration as a starting point.....(?)
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