plastic cover on Freestyle Libre sensor hard to open

[MarcR]

Is there an easy way to open the plastic cover on a Freestyle Libre sensor for someone who has arthritis in their hands and cannot open it themselves. I know someone if this predicament and they have to ask someone else to open it. I've read something about using a knife or a silicone jar opener, not sure about the knife method in case of injury if someone slips?

 

[Inka]

I wouldn’t use a knife @MarcR I’d try a proper tested aid. You could also try a rubber glove or think elastic band as both those help you get a better hold of the cover and make it much easier to open.

 

[eggyg]

I use a rubber glove if I’m struggling. I can’t decide if they are making them tighter or my hands are getting weaker! Could be a bit of both as I struggle with jars at times too.

 

[louisew]

I sometimes use i knife. You only have to cut through the plastic tabs which are soft plastic so it’s just a matter of slipping the blade under them

 

[Chelseagirl]

Dexcom are the same. Although, fortunate not to have arthritis or anything that would reduce my grip, I have noticed I need to apply more pressure to open the blasted thing. The latest one also has a little seal thing attached to lid and body which breaks when you twist it. I honestly don’t know if this is new or I’ve just not noticed it before!

 

[John Gray]

I wouldn’t use a knife @MarcR I’d try a proper tested aid. You could also try a rubber glove or think elastic band as both those help you get a better hold of the cover and make it much easier to open.

I sometimes use i knife. You only have to cut through the plastic tabs which are soft plastic so it’s just a matter of slipping the blade under them

Those people who work on repairing laptops, phones and the like use a non-lethal, unsharp, metal-bladed device called a "spudger". Multifarious availability on Amazon.
A spudger is a tool that has a wide flat-head [...] end that extends as a wedge, used to separate pressure-fit plastic components without causing damage during separation.
They can also be made of plastic, but that probably wouldn't be strong enough when attacking the Freestyle Libre "sensor applicator pack".

 

[goodybags]

@MarcR we have one of these in the kitchen drawer it’s useful for opening seized oars bottles etc.. also I use it when the plastic caps are tight on my Libra
Otstar Jar Opener Bottle Opener and Ring Pull Can Opener for Weak Hands Arthritis Hands, Elderly https://amzn.eu/d/f3w7OfY

 

[eggyg]

@MarcR we have one of these in the kitchen drawer it’s useful for opening seized oars bottles etc.. also I use it when the plastic caps are tight on my Libra
Otstar Jar Opener Bottle Opener and Ring Pull Can Opener for Weak Hands Arthritis Hands, Elderly https://amzn.eu/d/f3w7OfY

I have one of those. They’re pretty hopeless on most things I find. They quite often just slide around. I have weak shoulders from frozen shoulders and bursitis which in turn has left my arms, wrists and hands without much strength quite a lot of the time, I’m always on the look out for gadgets to help.