Reachers and Grabbers: Picking Things Up Without Bending

Who benefits

• People with back pain, arthritis of the spine or osteoporosis, for whom bending is risky or painful; see osteoporosis at home.
• After hip or knee replacement, when the surgeon limits bending; see cushions after hip replacement and hip replacement recovery equipment.
• People with poor balance, who risk falling when they lean or squat.
• Wheelchair users, who cannot reach high shelves or the floor.
• People with shoulder problems who cannot lift an arm overhead.
• Those with breathlessness or heart conditions, for whom bending is tiring.
• Carers, for items out of reach.
• People with weak grip, who find it hard to pick up small items.

How a reacher works

A reacher has a long shaft, usually 60 to 80 cm, with a handle and trigger at one end and a pair of jaws at the other. Squeezing the trigger closes the jaws, which grip the object, and releasing it lets go. Many models have rubber or serrated jaw tips for grip, and some have a magnet at the tip, a hook or a small light.

Types of reacher

Standard pistol-grip reacher. The commonest type, with a handle that fits the hand and a trigger. Light and easy to use.

Long reacher (extended). About 75 to 90 cm or more, for high shelves and for taller or wheelchair-using people. Heavier and harder to control.

Folding reacher. Folds in the middle for storage and travel. A useful companion for outings.

Lightweight reacher. Aluminium tubes keep it light, helpful for weak arms.

Heavy-duty reacher. A stronger frame for heavier items. Not often needed.

Reacher with a rotating head. The jaws rotate, so you can pick up an item from awkward angles.

Reacher with a magnet. A magnet at the tip picks up small metal objects like keys and needles.

Reacher with a hook. For pulling clothes or drawing items closer.

Reacher with a built-in light. For looking under furniture.

Dressing stick or aid. A rod with a hook for pulling on clothes; see dressing aids.

Litter picker. A rugged outdoor tool, useful in gardens.

Choosing a reacher

Length. Long enough to reach the floor from a standing position without bending, and to reach the items you want from a seated position if used in a chair. Measure from the hand to the floor. Too short does not help; too long is heavy and clumsy.

Weight. Light, so the arm does not tire. Under half a kilogram is ideal.

Grip and trigger. A soft, contoured handle and a trigger that needs little force, which helps arthritic hands. Test it in your parent's hand. Some have a lock to hold the jaws closed.

Jaws. Wide-opening jaws with non-slip tips pick up more items, from a plate to a coin. Check that they grip firmly. Narrow tips pick up small items.

Strength. Check the weight it can lift, generally a kilogram or so. Do not use it for heavy loads.

Folding. If it needs to travel or be stored in a drawer.

Material. Aluminium is light; check for sturdy joints.

Cost and quality. Cheap reachers may have weak triggers or jaws that slip. Choose a well-made one and try it.

Using a reacher

1. Stand or sit steadily with a hand on a support if needed, and your feet apart. 2. Hold the handle with a comfortable grip, the trigger under the fingers. 3. Open the jaws by relaxing the trigger and place them around the object. 4. Squeeze the trigger gently and check the grip before lifting. 5. Lift smoothly, keeping the object close to the body. 6. Release by relaxing the trigger over a surface or the hand.

Practise on light, easy objects first, such as a sock or a magazine, and graduate to smaller ones. Aim for a slow, controlled lift.

Everyday uses

• Picking up dropped items such as keys, spoons, remote controls and tablets.
• Pulling clothes from a shelf or off the floor, and helping to put on socks with a sock aid.
• Reaching items on high shelves, within safe limits.
• Pulling plugs from sockets or switching on low lamps, with care, only for those items it is safe to do so.
• Picking up post from the doormat.
• Making the bed, pulling up covers.
• Kitchen tasks, such as lifting light items from the back of a cupboard.
• Gardening, picking up leaves and litter.
• Hanging washing or taking it down from a line.
• Turning pages or retrieving a book.

Safety

• Do not use a reacher on hot, sharp or heavy objects, such as pans, knives or glass.
• Do not use it on a stool or chair to reach higher; climbing is dangerous. Use a stable step with a handrail, or ask for help.
• Do not lean or overstretch. If the item is out of range, move closer or ask for help.
• Do not use as a walking stick or a lever.
• Keep it away from children.
• Do not pick up medicines or items you cannot identify.
• Be careful near edges of stairs. Do not use a reacher on a flight of stairs.
• Check it regularly for loose jaws, bent shafts and worn tips.
• Store it where it is easy to find, such as by the chair, bed or kitchen, perhaps one in each main room.
• Reduce the need. Place frequently used items at waist to shoulder height so fewer things need reaching.

Alternatives and companions

• A long-handled shoehorn, sock aid and dressing stick for dressing; see dressing aids.
• A jar opener and kitchen aids for hands; see jar openers and kitchen aids.
• A walking stick for balance; see how to choose a walking stick.
• A rollator with a basket to carry items.
• Shelves and cupboards re-arranged by an occupational therapist; see occupational therapy home assessment.
• An alert device for those who live alone; see panic pendants and personal alarms.

Where to keep reachers

A reacher that is in the wrong room is no use when something drops. Keep one beside the favourite chair, one in the bedroom near the bed and one in the kitchen, perhaps hung on a hook by the door. A cord or a loop on the handle lets it hang from a wheelchair or a walker. Check once a month that each one is still in place and still working, and ask visitors and attendants to put it back where it belongs. For people who use a walking stick, a reacher with a clip can be attached to the stick or the rollator basket. Teach everyone in the household how to use it, so that your parent can ask for help in using it without feeling dependent. If your parent shares a home with grandchildren, store reachers where children cannot swing them, since the jaws can pinch.

When to ask a professional

An occupational therapist can assess reach, balance and daily tasks and recommend the right reacher and other aids. After hip surgery, ask the team for the equipment advice specific to your parent's precautions. See a doctor if your parent cannot reach or bend because of pain, weakness or dizziness, since these may have treatable causes. Our care advisors can help choose aids.