Perching Stool
What is it?
A perching stool is a high stool with a slightly angled seat that allows a person to sit in a semi-standing position while completing tasks.
It is commonly used in kitchens, utility rooms, or bathrooms where tasks need to be completed at a work surface.
Who might it help?
A perching stool may help people who:
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Become tired when standing for longer periods
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Have reduced stamina or endurance
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Experience pain when standing
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Need to sit while preparing meals or completing household tasks
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Have difficulty managing activities due to fatigue
What difficulties does it address?
Many everyday tasks, such as preparing meals, washing dishes, or grooming, require prolonged standing.
A perching stool reduces the amount of time spent standing while still allowing the person to remain close to a work surface and continue participating in the activity.
Things to consider
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Can the person safely sit down and stand up from the stool?
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Is the height suitable for the work surface?
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Can their feet remain stable on the floor?
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Does the person have enough balance when using it?
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Is there enough space to position it safely?
Safety considerations
A perching stool is not the same as a normal chair.
Because it is higher and angled forward, it requires good balance and the ability to control movement when sitting and standing.
It may not be suitable for someone who:
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Has significant balance difficulties
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Is unable to lower themselves safely
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Has difficulty understanding how to use it
Kitchen Trolley
What is it?
A kitchen trolley is a wheeled aid used to move items such as meals, drinks, or shopping around the home.
It allows a person to transport items without needing to carry them.
Who might it help?
A kitchen trolley may help people who:
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Have difficulty carrying items while walking
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Use a walking aid and cannot carry things at the same time
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Fatigue easily
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Have reduced balance or confidence when moving around the home
What difficulties does it address?
Carrying objects while walking requires balance, coordination, and the ability to safely manage both the item and the environment.
A trolley allows the person to move items while keeping both hands available for support if needed.
Things to consider
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Can the person safely control the trolley?
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Is the floor surface suitable?
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Are there steps, thresholds, or narrow areas?
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Can the person stop and manoeuvre it safely?
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Does it encourage safe movement or create extra risk?
Safety considerations
A kitchen trolley is not suitable for everyone.
Potential concerns include:
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The trolley may roll away if the person uses it for support instead of transport
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Uneven flooring or thresholds may make it difficult to control
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A person with poor balance may lean heavily on it and increase their falls risk
A kitchen trolley should not replace a walking frame if someone requires a stable mobility aid.
Uccello Kettle
What is it?
The Uccello Kettle is a specially designed kettle with a circular shape and tipping mechanism that allows the kettle to pour by rocking forward rather than being lifted and tilted like a traditional kettle.
It is designed to reduce the strength and control needed when pouring hot water.
Who might it help?
A Uccello Kettle may help people who:
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Have reduced grip strength
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Find lifting a full kettle difficult
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Experience pain in their hands, wrists, or shoulders
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Have reduced coordination or control
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Fatigue easily during kitchen tasks
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Want to continue making their own hot drinks safely
What difficulties does it address?
Using a standard kettle requires a person to:
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Grip the handle securely
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Lift the weight of the kettle and water
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Control the movement while pouring
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Accurately position the spout
For someone with reduced strength, pain, or reduced control, this can become difficult or unsafe.
The Uccello Kettle reduces the need to lift and pour by using a tipping action, making the task more manageable for some people.
Things to consider
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Can the person safely fill the kettle?
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Can they operate the tipping mechanism?
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Is the kettle positioned close enough to the work area?
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Can they safely manage hot water once poured?
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Is the person able to recognise and manage the risks associated with boiling water?
Safety considerations
Although designed to make pouring easier, it does not remove all risks associated with using a kettle.
Potential concerns include:
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Filling the kettle may still be difficult if the person struggles with carrying or reaching
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Hot water spills can still cause burns
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The person needs enough understanding and attention to use it safely
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The kettle should be positioned securely to avoid carrying hot water unnecessarily
For someone with significant cognitive impairment, reduced safety awareness, or difficulty following steps, additional assessment may be needed.
Rubber/Gardening Gloves
What is it?
Rubber gloves or gardening gloves with a textured surface can improve grip when handling everyday items around the home.
While they are not traditional kitchen equipment, they can be a simple and inexpensive strategy to help with tasks that require extra grip.
Who might it help?
They may help people who:
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Have reduced grip strength
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Experience difficulty opening jars, bottles, or containers
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Have arthritis or pain affecting their hands
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Find smooth surfaces difficult to hold
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Experience reduced confidence with everyday tasks
What difficulties does it address?
Many household tasks require a person to create enough friction and force to hold and twist an object.
Items such as jar lids, bottle tops, and packaging can become difficult when grip strength, hand movement, or sensation has changed.
The textured surface of gloves can provide extra grip, making it easier to hold and stabilise objects.
Things to consider
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The gloves should fit well and not be too loose
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The person needs enough hand movement to complete the task
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Gloves may help with grip but may not solve difficulties caused by pain, weakness, or reduced movement
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Consider whether the item itself could be adapted (for example, using an easier-to-open container)
Safety considerations
Gloves can improve grip but they do not increase hand strength.
They should not be used as a solution for tasks that require significant force or where there is a risk of injury.
For example, opening very tight jars may still require a jar opener or another strategy.
Rocker Knife
What is it?
A rocker knife is a knife with a curved blade that allows a person to cut food using a rocking motion rather than the traditional sawing movement used with a standard knife.
Who might it help?
A rocker knife may help people who:
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Have reduced hand strength
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Experience arthritis or hand pain
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Have difficulty gripping a standard knife
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Have reduced coordination or control in one hand
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Have difficulty using both hands together during meal preparation
What difficulties does it address?
Using a standard knife often requires:
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A strong grip
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Controlled wrist movement
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Coordinated use of both hands
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The ability to stabilise food while cutting
A rocker knife changes the movement needed by allowing the person to apply pressure through a downward rocking action.
This may make cutting easier and reduce strain on the hands and wrists.
Things to consider
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Can the person safely hold and control the knife?
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Is the handle comfortable and suitable for their grip?
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Can they stabilise the plate or food safely?
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Is the food being cut suitable for this type of knife?
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Would another adaptation, such as pre-cut foods or different utensils, better meet their needs?
Safety considerations
A rocker knife is still a sharp kitchen tool and requires safe use.
It may not be suitable for someone who:
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Has reduced awareness of safety risks
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Has difficulty following instructions
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Cannot control the movement of the knife safely
The person's ability and confidence should be considered, not just their hand strength.
Cut-resistant gloves
What is it?
A cut-resistant glove is a protective glove designed to reduce the risk of cuts when handling sharp kitchen tools, such as knives, graters, or peelers.
Unlike standard rubber or gardening gloves, these gloves are made from stronger materials designed to provide a protective barrier between the hand and sharp objects.
Who might it help?
A cut-resistant glove may help people who:
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Have reduced use of one hand
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Have difficulty holding or stabilising food while cutting
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Experience reduced coordination or control
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Have tremor or involuntary movements
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Lack confidence using knives following an injury or change in ability
What difficulties does it address?
Preparing food safely requires coordination between both hands.
One hand usually stabilises the food while the other controls the knife. If someone has reduced strength, coordination, or control, the risk of accidentally cutting their hand may increase.
A cut-resistant glove can provide an additional layer of protection while allowing someone to continue participating in meal preparation.
Things to consider
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Is the glove the correct size and fit?
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Can the person still grip and control the food safely while wearing it?
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Is the person able to remember when and how to use it?
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Is the glove suitable for the type of food preparation being completed?
Safety considerations
A cut-resistant glove reduces risk but does not remove it completely.
It is still important to consider:
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Safe knife handling techniques
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Using appropriate chopping boards
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Good lighting
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Stable surfaces
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The person's ability to follow safe steps
For someone with significant cognitive impairment, poor safety awareness, or difficulty understanding risks, supervision or alternative strategies may be more appropriate.
