35 Things That People With Limited Mobility Swear By
From rubber shoelaces that transform lace-ups into slip-ons to a kitchen stand that tilts bowls and pots for pouring, these products may just be under the definition of "game-changer" in the dictionary.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
We asked the BuzzFeed Community members with limited mobility what products they rely on to make their daily routines a bit easier. Here's what they swear by:
But please note that these are not one-size-fits-all!
1. A bidet attachment for your toilet to make a world of difference in assisting you with "going" — especially if you have back issues or are recovering from surgery. Plus it can help curb your TP usage!
"A bidet seat is a lifesaver for people recovering from back surgeries or back problems! Keeps you clean and saves the embarrassment of having to ask for help." —bobcat918
"I recently had ALIF surgery. Pretty much they go through my stomach to fuse my degenerated disc with a bone graph. Fun. My bidet was a lifesaver and prevented me from getting real with my husband. But seriously, when you can barely bend forward and cannot twist, a bidet will give you your independence back plus a clean tushy." —gretch84
"I recommend a bidet for anyone!! I use so much less toilet paper now." —kateb4aae3942c
Get it from Amazon for $39.95.
2. A weighted blanket that might be the missing step in your bedtime routine to help you sleep more soundly and reduce morning inflammation and pain.
Make sure to read the directions and get the correct blanket for your body weight!
"I don't know that it's helped with my mobility per se, but I received a weighted blanket for Christmas last year and it's helped me so much! I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia when I was 22, and I've struggled with overwhelming fatigue and increased pain and stiffness in the mornings as a result. The weighted blanket helps me sleep more soundly and does help reduce some of the inflammation and pain I experience in the mornings." —missymaura
Get it from Amazon for $48.90+ (available in 14 sizes and 21 colors).
3. A roll-on lotion applicator to reach all the places you can't while you moisturize.
4. A mini colander that'll fit over a tuna can and come in handy if limited dexterity has been affecting your go-to lunch recipe.
5. A cordless can opener to *safely* take that can of food's top off with very minimal effort on your part. Did I mention it leaves the top with curved edges to help avoid cuts? Well now you know.
6. An ergonomic trigger grip that rotates 360 degrees and has a magnet on the end to help you "go go gadget" when you need to reach something.
"Unger Grabber Plus. I like this one because you can rotate the grabber, it has a magnet on it as well and the handle is comfortable." —minnietc
"I had abdominal surgery and I am stubborn. So I got one of those grabbers because I couldn't bend over but I refused to lay around and not clean. So I just that to pick up light things, even load the washer and dryer." —r4732565ca
Get it from Amazon for $24.93.
7. A jar opener — mounted or automatic — as a welcome addition to any household but can take lots of strain off your hands if dexterity is already an issue.
"A jar opener!! I no longer have to dislocate my fingers when opening things." —t8um
"A jar opener is helpful." —bethp49dc3731b
Get them from Amazon: mounted for $12.49 or automatic for $36.99
8. Or a trio of multi-purpose lid openers for jars or bottles. (I own these and they help A LOT without taking up much storage room.)
"I love the silicone bottle openers, they work fantastic for those of us with limited dexterity and hand strength." —willowrunvintage
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $4.73.
9. An electric potato peeler to help you get from spud to fry without feeling like you're being punished with hand peeling.
"My husband had a stroke when he was 28 (he's 53 now) and one of the things he liked the most was an electric potato peeler. Back when we first found one, it was called a Daisy Stripper. Now you can find them all over (and for cheaper!) but with less fun-sounding names." —pahz
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
10. Kitchen tongs that can do so much more than mix pasta or flip something in a frying pan. They also can help serve as a grabby extension of your own hand.
11. A rollator (a walker with a seat and brakes) to help keep you on balance *and* give you a place to rest without having to look for a spot.
"I have severe balance issues after a stroke and I can’t walk long distances without getting exhausted. I found a rollator (a walker with a seat and brakes) at a thrift store and it has done wonders. I can use it to help me balance and take some of the effort off my core and leg muscles. I can walk laps at the track now!" —aeadams2012
Get it from Amazon for $50.96.
12. A shower chair (or teak shower bench!) that'll serve as a steady seat while you go through your shower routine.
"I have mainly EDS, dysautonomia, and mitochondrial myopathy so mobility is a big issue. What I use most is a shower chair, honestly life-changing." —nachocheez
"I love my teak wood shower chair. It helps on days my legs are really weak or I'm super dizzy, but because it looks nice I feel like I'm in a spa. It's the little things that matter lol!" —willowrunvintage
"I love my shower chair! Some days I can stand and shower but some days it is too much. Shower chair to the rescue!" —aeadams2012
Get them from Amazon: shower chair for $50 or bench for $99.99
13. And a detachable shower head to make the water flow come to *you* and hit all the right spots. (You can install this one without tools and it has lots of fans in the reviews who sit down to shower.)
"Not sure what I’d do without it." —katies4c4483077
Get it from Amazon for $16.42+ (available in three finishes).
14. A firm neck travel pillow that'll help cradle your neck comfortably while you're awake!
"I used to use a stiff memory foam neck pillow (before I had to get a neck brace from my spine subluxing/dislocating) and it was very helpful in supporting my neck." —brittanyb4492c65a0
"I have mainly EDS, dysautonomia, and mitochondrial myopathy. I find an airplane neck pillow helps me a lot as well to keep my head up while doing work!" —nachocheez
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
15. A remote-control adjustable bed for anyone who gets way comfier when they aren't horizontal. This bed will bend to your whims and comfort levels!
"Laying flat isn’t an option for me between back problems and asthma. Being able to sleep with my head and feet raised means I can actually get a decent night’s rest." —austengirl89
Get it from Amazon for $479.99+ (available without or with a mattress and five sizes, including a split king; also check out a bare bones base).
16. A sock tool to help you get dressed without bending over to pull on your trusty pair of tube socks.
"When I had my total knee replacements — the first when I was 39, the second when I was 46 (I'm 50 now) — my favorite thing was the sock tool. It had straps on it and a fabric-covered bit of cardboard that you would put your sock over, hold the straps and just slip your sock right up onto your foot." —pahz
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
17. A book holder that'll keep your current read in place without gripping or straining your neck. This wheeled beauty will move with you around the house.
"I have a back injury that also caused arthritis in my shoulder, and my Levo book holder has been a lifesaver for me. I love to read and I’m in grad school, and it holds my books up so my neck doesn’t hurt. It also has a tablet holder add-on that I’ve been using a lot lately." —jamiedanielle719
Get it from Amazon for $189.99.
18. Ring splints made to help with arthritis, mallet finger, swan neck and Boutonniere injuries, trigger finger or thumb, hyper-flexible and crooked fingers, and so much more. But one reader finds them super helpful for dislocations.
"I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, so my joints dislocate a lot. Getting ring splints were game-changers with my finger dislocations." —brittanyb4492c65a0
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $22.99 (available in a variety of sizes; check out a sizing kit).
19. An ULU rocker knife that'll be a welcome mealtime addition if you're working with the use of one hand. Also it just looks really cool, even though that's not the main reason to buy it.
"My husband only had the use of one hand because of his stroke. One of the suggested items we use was a 'rocker knife.' They used to be kind of pricey, but an Alaska ULU is not. (I grew up in Alaska.) Not only can he cut his own food with it, it helps me with my arthritis. I can chop veggies with it." —pahz
Get it from Amazon for $18.99. Also check out a rocker utensil set for $16.50.
20. An over-the-tub grab bar to lend a helping hand while you're hanging solo in the bathroom. The clamp design makes it easy to move. And when you're not using it, your shower curtain can cover it!
"I struggle with muscle weakness and balance issues, and swear by my over-the-tub grab handle. It's super stable and secure, and a really helpful balance point to hold on to." —willowrunvintage
Get it from Amazon for $27.99.
21. A patella stabilizing strap for your knee in case you could use a little more support and relief there.
"I'm lucky, my issue is more of a strong nuisance/discomfort than a full mobility issue. Regardless, it's a problem that a lot of other people have and I'm happy to share! I'm only 24, but I've struggled for six years with chronic runner's knee (not caused by running or an injury), baker's cysts, and torn menici. Steroids and physical therapy only helped temporarily, despite maintaining my exercise regimens. The problem was my knee cap wouldn't hold still while I was exercising to stabilize it. Which would cause pain and swelling. Which prevented exercising. A vicious cycle until i found a patella stabilizing strap that helped it in place while I built the muscle back up. Best $11 investment ever. Now I can walk up the stairs with both legs, stand on my bad leg for more than 10 seconds without pain, go outside with my dogs, etc." —emoz3
Get them from Amazon: two-pack of single straps for $14.88 or one double trap for $17.88
22. Crocs as a cushiony but supportive footwear choice you can easily slip on to get where you need to go.
"A good pair of Crocs, I now have three and wear nothing else as I can walk short distances so I get the exercise I need when I can't swim. Still painful but it's keeping me upright." —cr1stalfairie
Get them from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in 31 colors and a variety of men's and women's sizes).
Wanna jazz up those Crocs? Get a set of fun pins for $7.99+!
23. A pair of hiking sticks to help you explore your fave place (the outdoors, naturally) with a bit more reassurance. This set is lightweight and has soft cork grips.
24. A garment steamer that'll de-wrinkle clothing for a lot less work than an iron, even if dexterity isn't an issue for you. (IMO everyone should use one, I don't even own an iron.)
"It has made such a difference not having to pull out the iron and board. It's lightweight and 99% of clothes are steamable." —cr1stalfairie
Get it from Amazon for $19.97.
25. A pot tipper (a reader's dad invented!) to help tip over a pot or bowl for you, pouring the contents in your baking dish perfectly. Plus it folds when not in use for easy storage. *Chef's kiss*
"My grandma bakes a lot, and after her stroke my dad came up with this pot-tipper that fits her KitchenAid mixer." —plumchels
Get it from barzillawoods on Etsy for $49.99.
26. No-tie rubber shoelaces that'll look like the real deal! They're really just strips with flared ends to keep 'em in place in your shoelace holes. That means you can slip into your shoes instead of tying laces.
"I have chronic pronation issues in my feet because of surgery I had on my legs and don't have good enough fine motor skills to tie shoes, plus Velcro doesn't hold my feet in proper place for long enough for my orthodics to work." —daynam4b6e28fa3
Get them from Amazon for $7.99 (available in a variety of colors).
27. An Echo Show for easily chatting up friend and family members without moving from your go-to spot.
"A useful thing for my mom with mobility issues is an Echo Show. This way she can talk face-to-face with family members from the comfort of her bed. Before, she spoke with very few people, but now she socializes again!" —snowdesignediting
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two colors).
28. A PopSocket (a collapsible grip/stand) you can adhere to your phone case so you'll more easily grip your fave device without bending or straining your fingers.
29. A big thermos to help you get your H2O (or other bevs) without making constant trips to the kitchen.
"I take care of my mom, who has mobility issues from various illnesses. One thing that is great for her is a big thermos like this one that allows her to just make one big thing of coffee/tea and then drink from it all day without having to get out of bed multiple times." —snowdesignediting
Get it from Amazon for $22.93+ (available in three colors).
30. An electric kettle so you can make yourself a cuppa from any room in the house. Plus this model's cord is on the base instead of the kettle, so it'll make for easier pouring.
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two sizes).
31. And a cup warmer to keep your beverage nice 'n' toasty. No trips to the microwave needed here!
Get it from Amazon for $9.89.
32. A button tool (that also works zippers!) to grab on your behalf while getting dressed. Even if going to work just requires looking nice from the waist up on video calls.
"I have arthritis and when I was still wearing a uniform for school, a button tool saved my life." —claudiachristinedup
"I’ve found that a simple button hook is a life saver when getting dressed." —bethp49dc3731b
Get it from Amazon for $5.90.
33. A steering wheel attachment that'll make it easier to control the wheel.
"Due to metastatic breast cancer I’ve lost use of my right arm (I was right-handed). My favorite is the easy-turn wheel you attach to your steering wheel." —bethp49dc3731b
"My boyfriend’s father is limited after his stroke, his absolute favorite product is one of those easy-steer knobs that you attach to the steering wheel so he can still get around. His ability to get himself from Point A to Point B has really increased his confidence and happiness :)" —hannahlarson1
Get it from Amazon for $14.95 (also check out a similar black attachment).
34. A walking cane to help prevent trips and falls while you're on the go. This one has a versatile grip, loop that goes around your wrist, adjustable height, and sturdy base. Plus, it folds up for easy storage!
"I have cerebral palsy. For me, my cane has been a lifesaver — fewer tripping incidents." —austengirl89
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
35. And a mobility scooter that'll help you get from Point A to Point B.
"I can't walk without severe pain, so it is my lifeline." —cr1stalfairie
Get it from Amazon for $599. Need one with more bells and whistles? Browse more scooters.
Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.