Why Grip Strength Matters
Reduced grip strength is one of the earliest and most frustrating effects of arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke, and general ageing. Everyday tasks like opening jars, turning keys, gripping pens, unscrewing bottles, and holding cutlery become painful or impossible. Research shows that grip strength also serves as a general marker of overall health in older adults. The good news is that a wide range of affordable aids can compensate for reduced grip and keep you independent.
Jar and Bottle Openers
Rubber grip sheets and mats: The simplest solution. A textured rubber mat placed over the lid provides enough extra friction for many people to open jars. They also work under chopping boards and mixing bowls to stop them sliding. Costs just £2-5.
Under-cabinet jar openers: Mount beneath a wall cabinet. You wedge the jar lid into a V-shaped grip and twist the jar body to open. They work with one hand and handle a wide range of lid sizes. The Zim jar opener is a popular, affordable option (£8-15).
Electric jar openers: Battery or mains-powered devices that grip the lid and twist it automatically. You simply place the device on the jar and press a button. The Hamilton Beach OpenEase and the One Touch automatic opener are well-reviewed models (£15-30).
Strap wrenches: An adjustable rubber strap wraps around any size lid and provides a long handle for leverage. Good for bottles, tins with pull-rings, and wide-mouth jars. Around £5-10.
Key Turners and Door Handle Aids
Key turners: A chunky handle that clips onto your key, turning a small, fiddly key into a large, easy-to-grip lever. Essential for people who struggle to grip and turn standard Yale or mortice keys. Costs from £3-8. Some models hold multiple keys.
Door handle aids: Lever attachments that clip onto round doorknobs, converting them to lever handles that can be pushed down with a palm or forearm rather than gripped and twisted. From £5-15. For a permanent solution, replacing round knobs with lever handles costs around £15-30 per door.
Writing and Pen Grips
Triangular or cushioned pen grips slide onto any standard pen or pencil to make them thicker and softer. Weighted pens help people with tremors write more steadily. Ergonomic pens like the PenAgain and Yoropen are angled to reduce wrist strain. For signing documents, a thick-barrel marker pen is often easier than a ballpoint.
General Grip Aids
Dycem non-slip material: A versatile non-slip mat available in sheets, rolls, and pre-cut circles. Place it under plates to stop them sliding, wrap it around tool handles for grip, or use it on trays to prevent items moving. From £5-15.
Silicone grip tubing: Slip this over handles of tools, cutlery, toothbrushes, and garden implements to create a thick, cushioned, non-slip grip. Available in different diameters and sold by the metre. Around £3-8 per length.
Where to Buy
Most items are available from Ability Superstore, Complete Care Shop, Amazon, and the Disabled Living Foundation shop. Many are also stocked in pharmacies and supermarkets (particularly OXO Good Grips products). All aids bought for a qualifying disability are VAT-exempt.