Supportive Aids

For the purposes of diet, nutrition and the kitchen, supportive devices can alleviate pain, give support and relieve stress to joints and help maintain autonomy as well as accomplish the task at hand. Some things you might find helpful in stores and around the house can be used for actual aides while you are in the kitchen.

Lengthening Handles
As noted, many utensils can be made or bought with longer and lighter handles. These handles make stirring, eating much easier as the range of motion with your wrist is not as taxed.

Garlic Peeler
Peelers have become the rage in all kitchen stores. These handy, flexible tubes are too easy to use. Simply put in your garlic, roll and on the other side a clean, peeled clove comes out since the skins stick to the sides of the tube.

Waste Bin
Trash bins are something we all need. Why waste more energy bending, lifting and such to throw away your crumbs. Investing in a bin with a foot lever is a smart money buy. The simple press foot action lifts the top making disposing of waste a cinch.

Grasping, Holding or Opening Things
If you have arthritis, opening a can or door, turning a faucet on is very difficult. The product availability for devices to aide in this arena are endless. Look for eating utensils that have longer handles. There are devices for gripping handles, turning on switches. Many of these devices are made from plastic or rubber with texture to adhere to the surface it is working with.

Reaching (Grasp Light Weight Things) Aluminum, Lightweight Wood W/ Pincher or Jaw At the End
Many reachers are used now to help get to hard to reach areas, pick up things dropped and access spots that previously were too far away. Reachers are commonly made with a jaw or pincher at the end. This is the part of the tool that grabs hold of the object desired. Reachers are also made of lightweight material so using them does not cause much additional strain. They are made from lightweight wood, aluminum, or other materials.

Apron w/ Pockets
The most easily accessible and used piece of equipment in the kitchen is an apron. An apron can provide not only a cover for food splatters but also serves as a useful carry device. One with pockets serves as an easy way to move many small objects, like vegetables, utensils, knives, cans, etc. across the room. This would leave your hands free and put less stress on knee joints because you wouldn't be walking as much.

Baskets, Bags
Having your hands free or used as little as possible is an important part to making food preparation easier. If you are bound to a wheelchair or walker, a basket can be attached for carrying as well. Placing your purse in the baskets as well as small things can help you maneuver around spaces in your house or outside.

Wheelchairs, Carts
Shopping is key when looking to maintain autonomy for preparing your food. Many grocery and convenience stores provide wheeled carts as well as hand baskets. For someone who suffers from osteoarthritis, carts are more preferred for the less tension it adds to your wrists. Additionally, the carts can be used to lean upon, which again can relieve some stress on knees, hips and ankles if you have a long list to get. The old-fashioned roller carts can also help if you have a way to walk and don't want carry your bags. In your house, using the roller carts can help in moving many items to different areas of the house thus lessening your trips.

Other Items
Other helpful items in the kitchen to make food preparation easier are a mixer or whisk. Both items quickly blend ingredients with little to no pressure on joints. Mixers can be found in the free standing version or the handheld ones. Whisks are made of lightweight material and currently have easier handles to grab.