Daily-Living & Accessibility Aids

Everyday tasks can become more difficult because of limited reach, grip strength, balance, mobility, pain, fatigue, or other changes in physical ability. The right tool can sometimes make a familiar task easier without requiring someone else to do it.

This page brings together practical aids for reaching and grasping, bathing and dressing, toileting, eating and kitchen tasks, household activities, and the period after a hospital stay or other change in ability. Start with the task that is causing difficulty and look for the simplest tool that addresses that specific problem.

Affiliate disclosure: Independence Answers may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

Reaching & Grasping

Difficulty reaching, gripping, twisting, or picking up objects can turn simple everyday tasks into frustrating ones. A few inexpensive tools can reduce the amount of bending, stretching, or hand strength required.

A reacher can be useful for retrieving lightweight objects from the floor or accessible shelves, but it should not be used to lift heavy, hot, sharp, or otherwise hazardous objects.

Reacher/grabber tool

Choose gripping aids based on the particular movement that is difficult rather than buying a collection of tools that perform essentially the same job.

Bathing & Dressing

Bathing and dressing involve reaching, bending, balance, grip, and fine-motor movements, so small changes in ability can make these routines noticeably harder.

Useful aids may include:

Weight-bearing equipment such as shower chairs and transfer benches should be appropriate for the user and installed or positioned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Toileting & Accessibility

Changes in mobility, balance, strength, or the ability to sit and stand can make using the toilet more difficult. The goal is to make the task safer and easier while preserving as much independence and privacy as possible.

Depending on the person’s needs, useful equipment may include:

Not everyone needs the same type of support. A person who only has difficulty standing may need something very different from someone who cannot safely reach the bathroom.

Equipment used for sitting, standing, or transferring should be stable, correctly positioned, and appropriate for the person’s size and mobility needs.

Kitchen & Eating Aids

Preparing food and eating can become more difficult when gripping utensils, opening containers, reaching shelves, or controlling small movements becomes harder.

Useful options may include:

Adaptive eating equipment is highly individual. Weighted or specialized utensils, for example, may help some people but provide little benefit to others.

Start with the specific difficulty rather than assuming an entire set of adaptive dishes or utensils is necessary.

Household & Daily Tasks

Accessibility tools can also make ordinary household activities easier when bending, reaching, carrying, gripping, or standing for extended periods becomes difficult.

Useful options may include:

Before buying a specialized product, consider whether changing the way an item is stored or moving frequently used objects to an easier-to-reach location could solve the problem for free.

Sometimes changing the environment is more useful than adding another gadget.

Post-Hospital Support

Returning home after a hospital stay, surgery, injury, or other change in health can temporarily make everyday activities more difficult. Some equipment can make that transition easier, but needs vary significantly depending on the reason for the hospitalization and the person’s mobility.

Commonly useful items may include:

Equipment recommended as part of discharge planning, rehabilitation, or recovery should be used according to the instructions provided by the person’s healthcare team. A general accessibility product list should not replace individualized recommendations after a significant medical event.

Before You Buy

Accessibility equipment works best when it addresses a specific task that has become difficult. Start with the problem rather than the product: reaching the floor, getting dressed, opening containers, standing from the toilet, preparing food, or carrying household items.

Some problems can be solved by rearranging the environment, changing where frequently used items are stored, or using something already available at home.

When equipment will support body weight, assist with transfers, or be used after a significant injury, surgery, hospitalization, or change in mobility, make sure the product is appropriate for the person’s needs and seek individualized guidance when necessary.