Opening a jar, turning a can opener or gripping a knife can be hard on sore hands. Mayo Clinic notes that pinching items between the thumb and forefinger puts extra stress on already painful joints, and that many kitchen tools can be bought with larger handles.
This guide starts with free options, then covers what to look for in each kind of tool. GMG does not test products. Our guidance comes from the Arthritis Foundation, Mayo Clinic and the specifications stated in the product listings, and we link to each source.
📋Quick Summary
- The Arthritis Foundation says its Ease of Use certified products "have been independently tested and proven easy to use." Its product directory listed no kitchen tools on October 11, 2026, so none of the products in this guide is described as certified.
- Mayo Clinic says texture and cushioning on handles can make a utensil easier to hold with less grip strength.
- For cans, Mayo Clinic suggests an electric can opener "to avoid the finger strain of turning a hand-held model."
- These are everyday products, not medical equipment, so plan to pay for them yourself.
- An occupational therapist can help you work out which changes suit you. The Arthritis Foundation suggests asking your rheumatologist, primary care physician or insurance company for a referral.
| Medicare Advantage | If you have a plan, ask whether its over-the-counter allowance applies |
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Who it is for
- People who find gripping, twisting or pinching in the kitchen uncomfortable. [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/joint-protection/art-20546794) says pinching puts extra stress on already painful joints.
- Family members shopping for a parent.
Who should skip it
- If a tool you already own works for you, you may not need a new one.
- If your hands hurt a lot or are getting worse, talk with your doctor. An occupational therapist can tailor suggestions to your hands. This is general information, not a recommendation for your situation.
Start with the free options
The Arthritis Foundation says an occupational therapist can help you identify which home modifications are right for you, and suggests asking your rheumatologist, primary care physician or insurance company for a referral.
The Foundation's Ease of Use product directory is free to browse. The Eldercare Locator, at 1-800-677-1116, connects you to local support resources for older adults and their families, and your state's SHIP counselors can help you read your plan's benefits for free.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, ask whether its over-the-counter allowance applies. Benefits vary by plan, so check your Evidence of Coverage or call the number on your card.
What makes a tool easier to use
The Arthritis Foundation lists several things to look for. Texture helps: it suggests tools with rubberized, bumpy handles. Lightweight items for cooking can be easier on your joints, while heavy pots and cumbersome tools can strain them. Products that need twisting with your fingers should be avoided in favor of flip-top caps and larger, easy-to-open lids.
Mayo Clinic adds that many kitchen tools can be bought with larger handles, and that texture and cushioning on the handles can make a utensil easier to hold with less grip strength. The Arthritis Foundation lists electric can openers among the appliances that make kitchen work easier.
About the certification. The Foundation says products with its Ease of Use seal "have been independently tested and proven easy to use." We checked its directory on October 11, 2026 and found no kitchen tools in it, so none of the products below carries the seal.
Jar and bottle openers
Mayo Clinic says jar openers with larger, cushioned grips ease the stress on your hand joints, and that a mounted jar opener is another option. The Arthritis Foundation suggests installing a fixed jar opener or keeping a rubber one in the kitchen, and its home adaptation advice includes getting an electric can and jar opener.
What to look for: a large or contoured handle, a non-slip base or grip, and a lid size range that fits the jars you use.
Can openers
For cans, Mayo Clinic says to use an electric can opener "to avoid the finger strain of turning a hand-held model." Of the two Hamilton Beach listings below, one states one-handed operation with a light touch and the other states an automatic shutoff.
What to look for: a lever you can press with a light touch, an opener that shuts off by itself, and smooth cut edges if you handle lids.
Knives and cutting
Mayo Clinic advises choosing a kitchen knife that allows your hand and wrist to stay in a more neutral position, and says knives with offset handles and serrated blades take stress off your joints. It also describes an adaptive cutting board with nail pegs and a raised ledge that helps secure food. The Arthritis Foundation lists a rocker knife as an ergonomically designed kitchen tool.
A rocker knife has a curved blade and a T-shaped handle, and cuts with a rocking motion. The listing below states a T-grip handle with flexible ribbing and a protective blade cover. Because it is a cutting tool, store it with the cover on.
Lightweight cookware and utensils
The Arthritis Foundation suggests replacing heavy stoneware with lighter pots and pans, and its kitchen tools page suggests pots and pans with two handles, which spread the weight more evenly into both hands.
Mayo Clinic says vegetable peelers, spatulas and serving spoons with bigger handles can ease the pressure on your joints, and suggests foam tubing over the handles of small utensils. The utensils below state soft, non-slip or cushioned handles.
Ask an occupational therapist
Tools help most when they fit your hands and the tasks you find hard. An occupational therapist can look at how you work in your kitchen. The Arthritis Foundation says to ask your rheumatologist, primary care physician or insurance company for a referral.
Products that meet these criteria
GMG has not tested these products. Each is listed because its Amazon listing states a larger, cushioned or non-slip handle, or electric or low-force operation, and each was sold by Amazon.com or the brand on the date checked. None is in the Arthritis Foundation's Ease of Use directory. Confirm the current price and whether the size suits you before you buy. Product names are paid links.
| Product (Amazon listing) | Type | What the listing states | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Jar Opener with Non-Slip Base Pad, handheld manual openerpaid link | Manual jar opener | Base pad keeps the jar in place and reduces the force needed. Fits any jar lid size. Stainless steel teeth. Contoured, non-slip handle. Dishwasher safe (hand wash the base pad). | Mayo Clinic lists jar openers with larger, cushioned grips. |
| Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener With Easy Push Down Leverpaid link | Electric can opener | Opens cans with a light touch using one hand. Cuts along the side for smooth lids. Opens pop-top and regular cans. | Mayo Clinic suggests an electric can opener for cans. |
| Hamilton Beach OpenStation Electric Can Opener With Automatic Shutoffpaid link | Electric can opener with extras | Align the can and press the lever, then it opens and shuts off. Includes two jar openers and a multi-tool that opens pop-top cans and removes bottle tops. | Takes counter space. The jar openers are hand tools. |
| OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peelerpaid link | Vegetable peeler | Non-slip, contoured handle with extra cushioning. Die-cast zinc body with a hardened stainless-steel blade. Built-in eyer. | Mayo Clinic says peelers with bigger handles can ease pressure on joints. |
| OXO Good Grips Nylon Spoonpaid link | Cooking spoon | Long handle with soft, comfortable, non-slip grips. Heat resistant up to 450°F. Safe for non-stick cookware. Dishwasher safe. | Mayo Clinic says serving spoons with bigger handles can ease pressure on joints. |
| OXO Good Grips Small Silicone Flexible Turnerpaid link | Spatula | Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle. Heat-resistant silicone head bonded to stainless steel. Safe for non-stick cookware. Dishwasher safe. | Mayo Clinic says spatulas with bigger handles can ease pressure on joints. |
| North Coast Medical Big Grip T-Handle Rocker Knifepaid link | Rocker knife | T-grip handle with flexible ribbing. Curved 4-1/2 inch stainless steel blade used with a rocking motion. Includes a protective blade cover. Dishwasher safe. | The Arthritis Foundation lists a rocker knife as an ergonomic kitchen tool. Store it with the cover on. |
Listing details were checked on October 11, 2026 and can change.
- An occupational therapist: The Arthritis Foundation suggests asking your rheumatologist, primary care physician or insurance company for a referral.
- Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use directory: Free to browse. It lists certified products by category.
- Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116. A public service that connects you to local support resources for older adults and their families.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): A free counselor can help you read your plan documents.
Common questions about easy-grip kitchen tools
- Does Medicare cover kitchen tools like jar openers?
- These are everyday products, not medical equipment, so plan to pay for them yourself. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, ask whether its over-the-counter allowance applies.
- What does the Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use seal mean?
- The Arthritis Foundation says certified products have been independently tested and proven easy to use. You can browse them in its product directory, which listed no kitchen tools on October 11, 2026.
- Is an electric can opener easier on the hands?
- Mayo Clinic suggests using an electric can opener for cans to avoid the finger strain of turning a hand-held model.
- What is a rocker knife?
- A rocker knife has a curved blade and a T-shaped handle and cuts with a rocking motion. The Arthritis Foundation lists a rocker knife as an ergonomically designed kitchen tool.
- Should I choose lighter pots and pans?
- The Arthritis Foundation suggests lighter pots and pans in place of heavy stoneware, and pots and pans with two handles so the weight is spread across both hands.
- Who can help me choose kitchen tools?
- An occupational therapist can help you identify which home modifications are right for you. The Arthritis Foundation suggests asking your rheumatologist, primary care physician or insurance company for a referral.
✅What This Means For You
Turning 65: Start with the one task that is hardest, such as opening jars, and fix that first.
Already on Medicare: Ask your doctor whether an occupational therapist could help you choose tools that fit your hands.
IRMAA-affected: Paying an income-related premium doesn't change this. Kitchen tools are an out-of-pocket purchase either way.
Medicare Advantage enrollees: Ask your plan whether its over-the-counter allowance applies before you buy.
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