Gadgets for One-Handed Living

Principles of one-handed living

• Stabilise first. Many tasks need one hand to hold and one to work. Replace the holding hand with a non-slip mat, a clamp, spikes, suction or a heavy base, so that the working hand can do the job.
• Use the whole body. Elbows, forearms, knees and teeth (with care) can hold things. Rest items against the body or the table edge.
• Use leverage and gravity. Long handles, ramps and weights reduce effort.
• Simplify. Choose clothes with fewer fastenings, packaging that opens easily, and appliances with big buttons.
• Pace yourself. Allow extra time, and rest.
• Protect the weak hand. Support the weak arm, never let it hang, and use it to assist as therapy allows.
• Practise. Techniques become automatic with repetition.
• Accept help for what is hard, and keep independence for what can be done.

Kitchen and eating

Holding things:

• Non-slip mats and dycem under plates, bowls and chopping boards.
• Suction-base bowls and plates.
• Chopping boards with spikes and raised corners, which hold food and bread for slicing and buttering.
• Jar holders and wall-mounted openers that grip the jar while you twist the lid with one hand; see jar openers and kitchen aids.
• Bottle and tin holders.

Cutting and preparing:

• Rocker knives, which cut with a rocking motion in one hand.
• Combined knife-fork (the "splayed" or cutting fork).
• One-handed peelers, such as a peeler on a board, or a peeler with a grip.
• Graters and slicers with a handle held against the board.
• Pre-cut food and ready-prepared ingredients.
• An electric chopper or can opener with simple controls.

Eating and drinking:

• Plate guards, scoop dishes and rimmed plates; see easy-grip cutlery and eating aids.
• Built-up or angled cutlery.
• Lidded cups with a straw and cup holders.
• A damp cloth or non-slip mat to stop cups sliding.

Cooking:

• Lightweight pans with two handles.
• A microwave for simple, safe cooking.
• A kettle tipper or an easy-pour jug; see kitchen safety for older adults.
• A trolley to move hot items.
• Cutlery and tools stored within easy reach.

Dressing

See dressing aids and dressing after a stroke.

• Dress the weak side first, undress it last.
• Button hooks and zip pulls with one-handed use.
• Velcro, magnetic and snap fasteners replacing buttons and hooks.
• Elastic laces and slip-on shoes, or a one-handed technique for tying laces.
• Sock aids and long shoehorns.
• Dressing sticks.
• Front-opening bras and bra aids.
• Elastic-waist trousers and skirts.
• Adaptive clothes with magnetic closures.

One-handed shoelace tying: use a technique taught by a therapist, or use elastic or lock laces, or Velcro. Practise on a spare shoe.

Bathing and toileting

• Shower chair or bench, with a handheld shower; see shower chairs and stools.
• Grab bars placed by the toilet, bath and shower on the side of the working hand; see grab bars.
• A long-handled sponge or brush to reach the back and feet.
• A wash mitt, which slips on to the hand, in place of a flannel that must be wrung.
• A suction-mounted nail brush, for cleaning the nails of the working hand.
• Pump dispensers for soap and shampoo, or soap on a rope.
• Toilet aids, such as a raised seat and a toilet frame; see raised toilet seats.
• Wipes and bottom-wiping aids, to maintain independence in toileting.
• A non-slip mat in the bath.
• A towelling robe instead of a towel to dry.

Grooming and personal care

• Electric toothbrush with a thick handle, and a pump toothpaste dispenser.
• Suction nail clippers, attached to a table.
• Electric razor.
• Hair brush with a long, built-up handle.
• Hair dryer on a stand.
• Make-up and skin-care products in easy-open containers.
• A mirror on a stand.

Writing, reading and communication

• Pen grips, weighted pens, and a clipboard or a non-slip mat to hold paper.
• A page-turner or a book stand.
• Large-button phones and speakerphone; see phones, remotes and switches for arthritic hands.
• Voice dictation on phones and tablets.
• Tablet stands.
• A weighted ruler or a clipboard for drawing.
• A sign holder or a lap tray.

Housekeeping and shopping

• A lightweight vacuum cleaner or a robot vacuum.
• A long-handled dustpan with a lid and a long-handled brush.
• A trolley or a rollator basket to carry shopping.
• A rucksack or a bag across the body, instead of carrying in the weak hand.
• A door-opening aid and lever handles.
• A key holder and key turners.
• Light, easy-to-open storage containers.
• A reacher for items on shelves or the floor; see reachers and grabbers.

Medicines

• A pill organiser with easy-open lids that can be opened with one hand or a thumb; see pill organisers.
• A blister-pack opener or ask the pharmacist to remove pills from packaging.
• Easy-open caps on bottles.
• Eye-drop aids for squeezing bottles; see eye drops made easy.

Mobility and safety

• A walking aid used in the working hand; see walking aids after a stroke.
• A hemi-walker or quad stick, if advised.
• Handrails on the side of the stronger arm.
• A bag or tray on a walker for carrying items.
• An alert device worn on the working wrist or neck; see panic pendants and personal alarms.
• A key safe for emergencies.

Techniques to learn with a therapist

An occupational therapist can teach one-handed techniques for:

• tying a tie, fastening a belt or a bra;
• cutting food and buttering bread;
• opening packets and bottles;
• putting on socks and shoes;
• getting out of the bath;
• using a computer or phone; and
• cooking safely.

Ask for a home visit, since the best solutions fit your parent's own house and tasks.

Setting priorities

It is tempting to buy a whole kit at once, but most people need only a few things. Start with the three tasks your parent finds most frustrating, usually eating, dressing and the bathroom. Choose one aid for each, use it for two weeks and then decide what to add. Many families find that the greatest gains come from simple things: a non-slip mat, a chopping board with spikes, a jar opener and Velcro or elastic fastenings. Keep a note of what works, and share it with the therapist at the next visit. Avoid buying duplicates, and give away what is not used. A tidy set of well-chosen aids is easier to manage than a drawer of gadgets, and it helps your parent feel in charge of their own life.

Emotional side

Losing the use of a hand is more than practical. It can bring frustration, grief and loneliness. Encourage your parent to talk, to celebrate small successes, to meet others in stroke or arthritis support groups and to ask the doctor about low mood; see depression in older adults. Be patient, and avoid rushing in to do things for them.

When to ask a professional

An occupational therapist is the key adviser for one-handed living. A physiotherapist can help with strength, balance and the weak limb. A doctor can manage pain, spasticity and mood. For stroke, see stroke recovery at home guide. Our care advisors can arrange therapist visits and supply gadgets and aids.