In the kitchen

Opening jars and tins

Low-cost jar, bottle, and can openers help you in the kitchen. These products reduce the need to use force or have a strong grip, protecting the joints in your hands and wrists. Try running a jar under hot water to expand the metal, before drying it off and using the equipment to open it. 

Turning the taps on and off

Many crossbar taps need you to grip, hold, and turn them using force. A simple device like a plastic tap turner or even replacing old taps with easy-to-use lever taps, makes turning them on and off easier. 

Cutting up food

A wide choice of kitchen utensils have easy to hold, non-slip handles that reduce strain on your hands. You can use a spike board and a non-slip mat to stop items moving around. You could also use an electric food processor for mixing, chopping, grating or blending at the touch of a button.

Pouring the kettle

Some kettles are difficult to hold, heavy to lift, and hard to fill. There are several smaller, lightweight versions to choose from that make it easier to use the kettle. Try filling the kettle using a plastic jug and have the kettle sitting in a kettle tipper. A kettle tipper makes it easier to pour hot water without lifting the kettle. 

Lifting pots and pans

Try filling empty pots using a plastic jug. Consider buying pots with two handles to make them easier to carry. Use steamer inserts that lift out of your pots once your food is cooked, so you can leave the pot of water to cool and empty it later. 

Reaching into cupboards

Try installing shelves that slide out to meet you. There are lots of cupboard inserts sold at general hardware stores. Cupboard inserts make corner, wall, and floor cabinets more accessible. You could try pull-out drawers, a pull-down shelf, or carousel shelving. 

Turning the cooker dials

The dials on your cooker can become hard to turn or the numbers wear off making it difficult to see them. Using contrasting tactile dots can help you see and feel when the dial is on, off or at the right temperature. You can also buy handy stove dial turners to help you turn the dials.

Using a cooking timer

Use a timer to prevent overcooking meals. Automatic shut off devices can be fitted to gas and electric stoves to turn them off if the stove is accidentally left on. This type of safety feature needs to be professionally installed.