Health and Wellbeing
What's Cooking? Kitchen Mobility Aids For The Elderly
16th July, 2025
When we’re young it is easy to take a lot of things for granted, but an unfortunate effect of ageing is its effect on our body strength. In particular our grip and hand strength. In fact, grip strength declines by about 25%–50% between the ages of 29 and 75+, and by age 75, the average person's grip strength is about half of what it was at 30.
This poses a unique set of challenges around the home, with the biggest being in the kitchen where a lot of the utensils in regular use tend to be produced for those without limited hand and grip strength.
But the kitchen should never feel off-limits. That’s why throughout this article we’ll go over just why kitchen aids are so important as well as how to pick the right products for you.
Why are kitchen aids important?
Kitchen aids are vital pieces of equipment that help those in need to live a full life and feel less of a burden on those around them.
Below are just some of the things that well-crafted kitchen aids can help the elderly with:
Safety
The kitchen can be a dangerous place. Slippery hands, heavy pans, and awkward lids increase the chance of burns, spills, or even falls. Aids like easy-grip utensils, jar openers, and kettle tippers reduce strain on your hands and wrists, helping you cook without the worry of accidents.
Independence
Needing help with everyday kitchen tasks can feel disheartening. But with the right equipment, you can regain control over your routine and be able to cook for yourself again, on your own terms and at your own pace.
Wellbeing, health and social connectivity
Cooking is great for our mental health and overall wellbeing, as Royal College of Occupational Therapists, professional adviser Dr Sally Payne explains:
“Cooking and baking are widely used in occupational therapy, both for the purposes of pleasure and to help with people's mental health. It’s easily adapted to meet a person's needs and research indicates that cooking has benefits for health, wellbeing and social connectivity. We are delighted that people are joining occupational therapists in recognising the therapeutic value of cooking.”
Any kitchen aids that help people get back into the kitchen are doing them the world of good when it comes to their mental health, providing a sense of achievement, which we all need throughout our day.
The physical health benefits are plentiful too as you are able to create fresh meals with fresh ingredients rather than relying on packaged ready meals and meals that are ultra-processed.
From a social connection perspective, cooking is an amazing excuse to have friends and family over to either share in the meal prep process together or to simply socialise over a delicious meal you’ve prepared for them.
How to Choose the Right Kitchen Aid Products
Choosing the right kitchen aid product for your unique needs is relatively straightforward; it may just require a little more consideration. For example, you may want to take note of the specific problems you’re facing to help you in your search. Take time to research the options available to you. We’ve shared a few things to keep in mind below.
Prioritise Ergonomic Design
Where possible, a good tip is to look for kitchen tools with large, cushioned, and non-slip handles. These reduce the effort needed to grip and are much easier for weaker hands to control. Tools like thick-handled cutlery or angled knives reduce wrist strain and improve comfort.
Check for One-Handed Operation
Choose aids that can be used with minimal coordination or single-hand use, such as one-touch can openers, jar openers that grip surfaces securely and kettle tippers or lever-action taps
These are ideal for users who may have reduced strength on one side or live with conditions like arthritis or have had a stroke.
Consider Stability and Safety
Products that offer non-slip bases or suction pads will stay much steadier during use, reducing the risk of slipping or spilling. Chopping boards with spikes or clamps can also hold food in place, preventing accidents when cutting.
Choose Lightweight, Easy-to-Clean Items
Heavy or awkward kitchen items can be dangerous and pose various risks if dropped, not to mention being hard to pick up from low down or high up. Look for lightweight tools and cookware that are also dishwasher-safe or easy to clean, reducing physical effort during both cooking and cleanup.
Look for Trusted Brands or Specialist Retailers
Shop from companies that specialise in mobility or daily living aids. This will ensure the products are tested, reliable, and designed with real-world challenges in mind.
Test When Possible or Read Reviews
It’s not always easy, but try testing a product first before purchasing. Failing that, try to find videos of the product in action and search for reviews. When checking reviews, be sure to read the good and the bad and take into account each reviewer's specific scenario, as it may not be applicable to what you require the product for.
Types of Kitchen Aids
There are numerous kitchen aids available on the market; below are just some that are available for different tasks.
Food Preparation
A lot of modern cooking technology is becoming more and more complex, but sometimes a simple solution is all you need. The quick cook mini meal maker is ideal for creating delicious meals in minutes. All you need to do is put your ingredients in and turn it on, it will cook whatever is in there in no time at all. It’s perfect for all meal types, from breakfast, lunch and dinner. Best of all, it’s non-stick, energy efficient and won’t take up a lot of counter space.
When preparing food, it can be a real issue trying to open containers and jars of the ingredients you need. The kitchen opener 6 in 1 helps with this by making it effortless to open everyday items such as jars, bottle tops, packets, screw tops, bottle seals and ring pulls. Its ergonomic design means it is great for those suffering from arthritis or have limited hand strength.
Eating & Drinking
Overflowing your mug with hot water can lead to burns and scalds; this is where the Uccello Liquid Level Indicator comes in. This handy gadget attaches to a mug or jug and alerts you when it’s about to overflow so you can pour with confidence. Invaluable for those with a visual impairment.
Weak wrists or involuntary shaking can mean that carrying a tray of drinks can be tricky without spillage. The Muggi Cup Holder is a stable tray that holds multiple mugs or glasses securely, it drastically improves the cups stability, limiting the risk of an accident.
We hope this article has helped you realise just how important kitchen aids can be to the elderly, as well as providing practical tips on what to look for when purchasing an item.
To see even more useful kitchen aids, visit Well-Co’s kitchen & dining section.
