There are various reasons why people experience weak hands. For example, they can result from medical conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or Parkinson’s disease. Or, there may be compression or damage to nerves in the hand or wrist that leads to weakness. Weak hands may also simply be due to a natural decline in muscle mass and strength that often accompanies aging, including in their hands. Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive gadgets and arthritis tools for hands to help make life easier for those who need a little extra help.
What Kinds of Hand Assistive Devices Are Available These Days?
Several hand assistive devices are designed to help people with weak hands or who have limited hand strength in performing daily tasks. These tools can enhance independence and improve the quality of life for individuals facing hand weakness. Here are some examples of tools you can buy for a loved one with weak hands.
Adaptive utensils
Specialized utensils with larger handles, ergonomic grips, or built-up handles can make eating and cooking easier for those with weak hands.
Reacher grabbers
Long-handled reacher grabbers allow individuals to pick up objects from the floor, shelves, or other hard-to-reach places without bending or stretching.
Button hooks and zipper pulls
These tools assist in fastening buttons and zippers on clothing, making dressing easier for people with limited hand dexterity.
Jar and bottle openers
These devices provide extra leverage to open tight jar lids and bottle caps, reducing the strain on weak hands.
Key turners
Key turners provide a larger grip and extra leverage, making it easier to turn keys in locks.
Adaptive writing aids
Pen and pencil grips, weighted pens, or built-up writing implements can assist individuals with weak hands in writing tasks.
Electric can openers
Automatic can openers require minimal effort to open cans, making them more manageable for those with weak hand strength.
Sock aids
These tools help individuals put on socks without bending over, reducing the strain on hands and arms.
Hand exercisers
These devices are designed to strengthen hand muscles and improve grip strength through repetitive squeezing exercises.
Adaptive gardening tools
Gardening tools with ergonomic handles and mechanisms requiring less force can benefit individuals with weak hands who enjoy gardening.
Self-opening scissors
Scissors with spring-loaded blades that automatically reopen after each cut can be easier to use for people with weak hand grip.
Electric toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes reduce the effort required for brushing teeth and can be helpful for those with weak hands.
Individuals with weak hands need to try different tools and adaptive aids to find the ones that best suit their specific needs and preferences. Occupational therapists can also provide valuable guidance in selecting and using appropriate assistive devices to enhance independence and daily function.
Arthritis Tools for Hands Recommended by Our Readers
We asked our readers for their suggestions on inexpensive arthritis tools for hands that help make simple everyday tasks easier. Here are the assistive tools for hands they shared that are readily available on Amazon (these gifts are also good for those with Parkinson’s or just general weakness):
Rocker Knife for Meat, Fruits and Vegetables
Love to cook, but hate to cut meat and vegetables because it’s painful? This one-handed curved knife is perfect for those with hand tremors, arthritis, Parkinson’s, painful wrists, and more. It is comfortable to hold and cuts through food with ease, even steak, and really hard carrots!
Small Cap Opener for Toothpaste Tubes and Other Twist Off Caps
It doesn’t look like much, but this is an excellent tool for a simple job that can prove difficult for those with arthritis or weak hands. You will find it easily opens even tiny tubes (ie. neosporin), as well as the somewhat larger toothpaste tubes. It will fit nicely in your hand and take up next to no room in the medicine cabinet. You’ll be delighted to have this little gem handy the next time you have a problem unscrewing small caps!
Adaptive Loop Scissors
These scissors make life so much easier for those with weak hands or a lack of coordination! Designed with just the right amount of “spring”, these loop scissors will pop open after cuts to make it easier to stay stable and in control. Not only are they great for those with hand strength issues or low coordination, but they also help children and people who are left-handed to cut more safely! Each set of colorful loops of scissors comes in three to a pack, so give a pair to your grandchild – they will love it!
Upright Handle Garden Tool Set for Weak Hands
Love to garden, but it’s difficult for you these days due to arthritis or another issue that causes weakness in your hands or wrists. These adaptive garden tools are ideal for a variety of tasks including digging, weeding, loosening soil, aerating, transplanting, etc. The set includes 3 tools: a digging trowel, a cultivator, and a fork, all with an upright handle. The padded ergonomic soft-grip ergonomic handles provide exceptional grip and are comfortable to use. They reduce the pressure on the wrist and hand. Different from traditional garden tools, they can help make planting your flowers much easier.
Big Squeeze Tube
Waste Less, Save More – Professional-Grade Metal Tube Squeezer helps you get every last drop out of virtually any tube. Stop wasting expensive creams, toothpaste, and anything that comes out of a tube! Not only can you get an extra 25% out of your tubes so it is a great tool for EVERYONE, but it is especially helpful for those with weak or arthritic hands.
Multifunctional Water Bottle Openers (2) for Weak Hands
These water bottle openers are ideal for arthritic hands or anyone with compromised hand strength. They are also great if you simply have long fingernails or if you are just looking for a better, faster, easier way to open all of the sealed kitchen containers. People love them for water and soda bottles both large and small, soda and beer cans, canned food cans, and ring pull tabs. Ergonomic, rubber, non-slip bottle openers are lightweight and dishwasher safe.
Electric, Hands-Free Automatic Jar Opener for Arthritic or Painful Hands
This handy little gadget is a fabulous hands-free solution! Just press the button to automatically open your jar! Fully automatic, this electric jar opener consumes very little energy and requires only the use of 2 AA batteries. Extremely durable and comfortable to use.
Foam Grip Tubing/Foam Tubing – 3 Sizes (6 pack)
I found these grips recently; they were new to me. Extremely comfortable to hold, they are an ideal grip aid for utensils, toothbrushes, tools, and more. Use them to add handles to everyday items for greater strength, control, and a wider group. Perfect for those with grip strength, control, or coordination issues, they are easy to cut to size and are dishwasher safe.
Arthritis Warming Mittens (Without Gel)
Our readers love these reusable, microwaveable hand warmer gloves, for pain relief! All you do is heat in the microwave for one minute! They increase blood circulation after wearing for 5-10 minutes which helps soothe stiff joints, calm muscle spasms, improve range of motion, and reduce inflammation. Use daily for stronger more energized hands!
3-Pack Easy Twist-Off Plastic Bottle Opening Tool
This set of water bottle openers is another great option for those with weak hands. Lightweight, they are easy to use on the go, especially since they attach to keychains, totes, and purses.
Deluxe Sock Aid – Socks Helper with Foam Handles
The Deluxe Sock Aid is a great help for individuals wanting to put on socks easily and independently when needing a little extra help. It is an Ideal daily living aid for those having difficulty bending down, recovering from back, knee, or hip replacement surgery, or for those with limited mobility. comes with comfortable and non-slip foam handles.
Button Hook & Zipper Pull
The Dr. Arthritis Zipper and Button Hook Dressing Aid are specially designed for those who suffer from limited dexterity due to hand arthritis, Parkinson’s’, and similar conditions. Designed to fit buttons of various sizes and zipper pulls of all kinds, this button & zipper pull helper allows for independent, hassle-free dressing. This one-handed tool with a non-slip grip is thoughtfully designed and features a wide handle with a textured rubberized grip to enable maximum control while trying to secure buttons or pull zippers.
2-Pack 32″ Grabber Reacher Tool
What a great tool! These 32″ grabbers help you to avoid pain and/or inconvenience! Whether you need a little help temporarily or you have a long-term condition, this grabber is easy to handle when trying to get something from the floor or a high shelf. It’s best when used with lightweight items such as clothing, remotes, books, etc. Two come in a pack.
Silicone Universal Cuff Aid for Limited Hand Grip
Comfortable to use, these stretchy silicone handles help turn normal silverware into adaptive tableware. Those with compromised hand strength and/or those with cerebral palsy will find it much easier to use utensils with these handles. Comes in 8 different sizes.
Dressing Aid Pocket Dresser to Help with Button Hooks, Zipper Pulls, and Shoelaces
This all-in-one dressing tool with a quick-release hand strap makes getting dressed easier. The pocket clip folds neatly away when not in use. Those of us with rheumatoid arthritis or bursitis understand that most of the time we feel the way others might if they were to zip and button their pants wearing mittens. This great little gadget opened up all kinds of doors for me. I now have the option to wear jeans and shirts with buttons instead of pullovers and sweats. Love it! Features a) large hook for pants buttons b) small hook for midsize shirt buttons c) zipper/shoelace pick for pulling up zippers and untying shoes or releasing knots and d) closed loop for delicate materials with small buttons.
Multipurpose Toilet Aid
Toileting issues are a problem for many and a topic that is not talked about enough. Most of us take being able to perform this everyday task for granted, but it’s hard for some to wipe themselves effectively and feel truly clean. This multipurpose portable toilet aid is discreet, user-friendly, and lightweight. It comes in three lengths and has a strong four-prong group, so you won’t have to worry about your hygiene products coming off. It holds tissue, wet wipes, loofah, razors, and other personal care products to help you in the bathroom independently, especially if you have a range of motion limitations. And the one-touch easy-release bar is fantastic. This product isn’t specifically for weak hands but is worth looking into as it might be helpful for you. Get your dignity back! (You might want to also look into a bidet toilet seat cover – they are wonderful for staying clean at home!)
Adaptive Aids for Weak Hands Can Simplify Life
These inexpensive gadgets make great gifts for birthdays or holidays, or even stocking stuffers for Christmas. Do you know of other great adaptive tools for weak hands? Please share in the comment section below.
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Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.
