DIY household maintenance tools

geek84

Good morning folks
Could someone kindly advice where I  could purchase DIY household maintenance  tools such as hammers, screw drivers, pliers, chisels etc for use by individuals who have weak hands and fingers and can't grip or turn/twist  the tools in the normal manner?
Thanks in advance 

wilko

Not not off the top of my head, but I have found that having poor grip and strength in my hands I am unable to use such tools and even when using power tools to secure screws I have damaged the fixing item or surrounding area, have goggled you request on line?

geek84

Thanks wilko

geek84

Any more suggestions from you kind folk out there, greatly appreciated.

topshoes

Hi @geek84 , As I have been a D.I.Y Person all my life the best I found  to use now are a lightweight cordless Drill , and lightweight  cordless screwdriver , I have found much better on the hand ,fingers .

geek84

Thanks top shoes
Can you recommend any retailers which specifically sell DIY tools for individuals who have weak hands fingers together with a weak grip?
Thanks 

topshoes

Hi @geek84 , sorry can not help you ,  think you might have to look around on the internet , that will be your best bet 

Jean_OT

Hi @geek84

Whilst  a range of gardening tool for disabled people are readily available (see: http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/shop/default.aspx ) the market in DIY tools for people with dexterity and grip issues is yet to be addressed.

The introduction of light weight battery powered tools has made things easier for some people. T-bars and rackets can also sometimes be of assistance to those with reduced strength.

There are general products on the market that can sometimes be used to adapt a specific tool making it easier to use by a specific individual, such as (examples):

 mouldable putty: https://sugru.com/

handlebar grips and tapes:  https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/handlebars-ends-grips-tape  

foam tubing:  http://www.remingtonmedical.com/product/detail/B301

Organisations like REMAP https://www.remap.org.uk/ and  https://www.demand.org.uk/ may be able to help find solutions.

Unfortunately, (as far as I am aware) there isn't yet a range of DIY tools specifically designed and marketed for people with grip and dexterity issues. 

Best Wishes
Jean

geek84

Thanks very much for your reply, Jean.

geek84

Jean

What makes you say that DIY tools for people with dexterity and grip issues is yet to be addressed?

Surely, there may be developments/inventions in (perhaps) other countries to help individuals with grip and dexterity issues and these items could (perhaps) be bought online?

Jean_OT

geek84 said:

Jean

What makes you say that DIY tools for people with dexterity and grip issues is yet to be addressed?

Surely, there may be developments/inventions in (perhaps) other countries to help individuals with grip and dexterity issues and these items could (perhaps) be bought online?

This is my personal opinion based on my knowledge/research on what I believe to be available. If you have evidence to the contrary I would be interested to see links to examples of DIY tools specifically designed for people with dexterity and grip issues.

Best Wishes
Jean

geek84

Thanks Jean 

geek84

Good morning 

Can you be kind enough to give me details of any groups/societies/associations for individuals who suffer from manual dexterity ?

Thanks 

Jean_OT

Hi @geek84

Sorry I don't know of any groups etc specifically supporting people with manual dexterity issues. There are lots of different clinical reasons why a person may have been born with difficulties using their hands or acquired difficulties at some point during their lifetime. (some examples: cerebral palsy, stroke, arthritis/inflammation, trauma to the hand/arm etc).  Some of those clinical reasons will have condition specific groups ( such as the Stroke Association or Arthritis Care) but their focus will be on that condition generally not on the manual dexterity issues in isolation.

If the issues with your grip are causing you general difficulties in being able to do the tasks you want or need to do, you could ask your GP to refer you to an Occupational Therapist run Hand Clinic at the hospital to see if there is anything they can advise which will improve your grip etc.

Best Wishes

Jean   

geek84

Thanks Jean