Hand Strength Help: Tips for Seniors (2025)

Understanding Limited Hand Strength

Many things can cause weaker grip strength. Arthritis, causing joint pain and stiffness, is a big one. Stroke rehabilitation can also affect hand function, and so can Parkinson’s disease, and even nerve damage, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Sometimes, it’s just age-related weakness.

Adaptive Strategies for the Kitchen

The kitchen is often where hand weakness becomes most obvious. But don’t worry, there are many adaptive kitchen tools to make cooking and eating easier!

• Easier Food Prep:
  • Jar Openers: These are lifesavers! You can get electric jar openers for weak hands that do all the work. Or, you can use simple non-slip grips that make it easier to hold and twist. Read our article on the best jar openers for arthritic hands.
  • Adaptive Cutting Boards: Look for cutting boards with pegs or suction cups. These hold food in place so you don’t have to grip it so tightly, providing joint protection.
  • Lightweight Cookware: Heavy pots and pans can be hard to manage. Switch to lighter, ergonomic tools.
  • Electric Can Openers: These are much easier on your hands than manual ones. You can find a variety of them here.
  • Pre-Cut Vegetables/Fruits: Save yourself the trouble of chopping and buy pre-cut produce, which is a simple way to help with limited hand function.

• Eating with Ease:
  • Easy-Grip Utensils: These adaptive utensils are thicker and easier to grip.
  • Plate Guards: These daily living aids attach to the edge of your plate and help you scoop food without pushing it off.
  • Lightweight Cups and Mugs: Choose cups that aren’t too heavy or awkward to hold. Here’s a large variety of lightweight cups with handles.

Adaptive Strategies for the Bathroom

• Dressing:
  • Button Hook Aid & Zipper Pull Helper: These tools help you manage buttons and zippers without needing to pinch and pull, improving your ability to perform activities of daily living.
  • Elastic Shoelaces: These elastic shoelaces turn regular shoes into slip-ons.
  • Front-Closure Bras: These are much easier to manage than bras that fasten in the back. I love my front-closure bras, they are so much easier to use!
  • Long-Handled Shoehorns: Help you put on shoes without bending over.
• Hygiene:
  • Long-Handled Sponges and Brushes: These help you reach your back and feet without straining.
  • Pump Dispensers: Use these for soap and shampoo instead of squeezing bottles. The 3-chamber dispenser I have in my shower makes it so very easy and much safer than handling bottles in the shower.
  • Electric Toothbrushes: These do most of the work for you, requiring less grip strength. The Aquasonic electric toothbrush is very popular!
• Bathroom Safety:
  • Grab bars: Use in the shower or by the toilet for safety. Read all about grab bars in a bathroom setting.

Overall, I do believe that making the bathroom area as safe as possible for everyone, but especially older adults is extremely important for safety, comfort and aging in place.

Adaptive Strategies Around the House

Hand weakness can affect other areas of your home, too. Home modifications for seniors can make a big difference.

• Doorways and Locks:
  • Lever Door Handles: These are much easier to open than round knobs.
  • Key Turner for Arthritis: These give you more leverage when turning keys.
• Writing and Technology:
  • Thick-Grip Pens: These ergonomic tools are easier to hold and control.
  • Voice-Activated Devices: Smart speakers (like Amazon Echo or Google Home) can control lights, thermostats, and more, just by using your voice. This is a great form of assistive technology.
  • Large Button Phone: These are easier to see and dial. Not only are landlines with large buttons great for anyone with limited hand strength but they are also great for seniors with vision impairments.
• Other Helpful Gadgets
  • Reacher Grabber Tool: These help you pick up items that are out of reach without straining, important for senior safety and fall prevention. I use my reacher grabber tool almost every day in my pantry.
  • Remote Controls: Choose remotes with large buttons.

Navigating Stairways with Limited Hand Strength

• Handrail Modifications:
  • Continuous Handrails: Ensure that handrails are continuous along the entire length of the staircase, on both sides. This allows you to maintain a grip without interruption.
  • Proper Handrail Diameter: The handrail should be easy to grasp. A diameter of 1.25 to 2 inches is generally recommended. If the existing handrail is too thin, you can add a grip cover to increase its size.
  • Handrail Material: Choose a handrail material that provides a good grip, even if your hands are slightly damp. Wood, textured metal, or vinyl are good options. Avoid highly polished or slippery surfaces.
  • Non-Slip Stair Treads: Make sure the stair treads themselves are non-slip. You can add non-slip tape or treads to existing stairs to improve traction.
• Using Two Handrails: If possible, use both handrails when going up and down the stairs. This provides maximum support and stability.
• Stairlifts: If hand strength is severely limited, or if stairs become too difficult to manage safely, consider installing a stairlift. This is a motorized chair that travels along a track mounted to the stairs, allowing you to ascend and descend without needing to grip a handrail or climb.
• Take Your Time: Go slowly and deliberately, making sure you have a firm grip before taking each step.
• Good Lighting: Ensure the stairway is well-lit, so you can clearly see the steps and handrails.

Driving with Limited Hand Strength

• Steering Wheel Covers: A thicker, textured steering wheel cover can make it easier to grip and control the wheel. Look for covers specifically designed for people with arthritis or hand weakness.
• Key Adaptations: If turning your car key is difficult, consider a key turner or a keyless ignition system (if your car has that option or can be retrofitted).
• Spinner Knobs: These attach to the steering wheel and allow you to turn the wheel with one hand, using a rotating knob. This can be helpful for people with significantly reduced strength in one hand. Important Note: Check your local laws regarding spinner knobs, as they may have restrictions.
• Professional Evaluation: A driving rehabilitation specialist (often an occupational therapist with specialized training) can assess your driving abilities and recommend specific adaptations or modifications to your vehicle. They can also help you determine if it’s safe for you to continue driving.
• Consider Alternatives: If driving becomes too challenging, explore alternative transportation options, such as public transportation, ride-sharing services, or senior transportation programs in your community.

Mobility with Limited Hand Strength

• Walker Grips:
  • Larger Diameter Grips: Look for walkers with thicker, padded grips. These are easier to hold and require less force to grip. You can also add foam tubing or grip covers to existing walker handles to increase their diameter.
  • Ergonomic Grips: Some walkers have grips that are contoured to fit the shape of your hand, providing better comfort and control.
  • Platform Attachments: For users with very limited hand and wrist movement, consider platform attachments, where the forearms rest and support.
• Cane Handles:
  • Ergonomic Handles: Similar to walkers, canes with ergonomically designed handles can be more comfortable and easier to grip. Look for handles that distribute pressure evenly across your palm.
  • T-Handles vs. Fritz Handles: T-handles are the traditional cane handle shape. Fritz handles have a slightly curved shape that some people find more comfortable. Try both to see which feels better for you.
  • Larger Handles: If you have very weak hands, a larger handle may be easier to hold, even if it’s not specifically “ergonomic.”
  • Palm Grip Canes: Have large, contoured handles to distribute weight evenly.
• Proper Height Adjustment: Make sure your walker or cane is adjusted to the correct height. When you’re standing upright, the handles should be at wrist level. This allows you to use your arm muscles more effectively and reduces strain on your hands.
• Using a Rolling Walker Instead of a Standard Walker. A rolling walker requires less hand grip.
• Taking Breaks: If you’re walking a long distance, take frequent breaks to rest your hands.

In addition to using canes and walkers the correct way, these tools can help to make their use safer and more comfortable.

Hand Exercises for Strength and Flexibility

1. Ball Squeeze: Hold a soft ball (like a tennis ball or stress ball) in your hand and squeeze it as hard as you can. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat 10-15 times. This is a great strengthening exercise.
2. Finger Stretch: Place your hand flat on a table. Gently lift each finger, one at a time, off the table. Hold for a few seconds, then lower. Repeat with each finger. This improves range of motion.
3. Thumb Stretch: Hold your hand out in front of you. Gently bend your thumb across your palm, trying to touch the base of your little finger. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat 10-15 times.
4. Finger Curls: Hold hand out straight. Curl fingers into a fist and then open.
5. Wrist Stretch: Hold your arm straight out. Bend hand at the wrist, up and down. Arthritis gloves or compression gloves may also provide support and pain relief during exercises.

Northwell Health has a great PDF of hand exercises that you can download and print here.

An occupational therapist can check your hand function and make a plan just for you. This plan can help you get stronger and stay independent. They can recommend specific adaptive equipment and hand therapy techniques.

Importance of Staying Active:

• Keeping your whole body moving will also benefit your hands.

Conclusion

About the Author: Esther C. Kane, CAPS, C.D.S.