“There must be a better way!” For those with limited mobility, this statement likely sounds familiar. While navigating ways to live more comfortably and independently, many turn to medical equipment, which can be helpful but costly. Many of us don’t realize that we may already have hacks to make our lives easier, and in many cases, “a better way,” simply lying around the house, or a click away on Amazon!
A hack is simply a shortcut developed to make your life easier often by using everyday items in new ways. Solutions don’t need to be high-tech or complicated, and in many cases, a simple, affordable alternative is available for just about any physical obstacle you may face. In honor of it being 2025, here are 25 life hacks for those with limited mobility and for others who can benefit from them.
Life Hack Recommendations from Your Elder Law Attorneys in Virginia, Maryland, and DC
The Farr Law Firm consists of both highly experienced Elder Law attorneys and Estate Planning lawyers in our locations in: Fairfax, Virginia; Fredericksburg, VA; Rockville, MD; Annapolis, MD; and Washington, DC. As Elder Care lawyers and Estate Planning attorneys in all of these locations, we meet with a lot of families who have loved ones with limited mobility. These senior life hacks can improve not only the productivity and efficiency of millions of Americans but also their quality of life. Please know that the links provided in this article are NOT affiliate links; we are not recommending specific products, and we will NOT receive any compensation if you purchase anything from one of these links:
- Swivel Faucet-Extender: If you can’t afford to overhaul a bathroom to be accessible right now, an easy life hack is to purchase a Swivel Faucet-Extender — for as low as $17 on Amazon — which typically swivels in numerous directions and can elongate your faucet and even aim the water upwards. This will allow the water to be diverted closer to the sink edge where you can more easily reach it until you find a better long-term solution.
- A Ribbon/Rope for a More Secure Hold: Having ribbon or a small rope tied to things you use often is helpful. One reason is that you can have a more secure hold on an item by putting the ribbon/rope around your wrist. You can also hang things on the wall to make them more easily accessible. Or, you can tie the ribbon or rope around door/drawer pulls to make opening them easier.
- BBQ Tongs to Grab Items Out of Reach: What if something is on the ground and you want to pick it up but cannot reach it without risking injury? BBQ tongs, especially ones with rubber grips on the ends, are fantastic for reaching. They’re light, inexpensive, and typically come in different sizes. Or, if you prefer, you can purchase a grabber reaching tool to do the same thing.
- A Lazy Susan for the Office, Bathroom, or Kitchen: How many times have you been at your desk and gone to reach for a pen, stapler, or some other supply, only to find it’s not within reach? A lazy Susan on your desk can keep all your essentials at your fingertips. You could also use one in your bathroom to hold soaps, lotions, toothbrush, etc., as well as your kitchen to hold cooking utensils.
- A Selfie Stick to Hold Your Phone or an iPad: Some of us feel like our arms go weak if we are holding our phone or iPad for too long. Enter the selfie stick, which is retractable and positionable, making it perfect to hold a cell phone or iPad in place closer or further away (whichever you prefer). You can even zip tie the stick to your armrest to keep your electronic in place and adjust the stick for how high or low you may want it. Amazon also sells a phone stand that accomplishes the same purpose.
- A Bed Frame with Bars: Instead of opting for a bed frame that is upholstered or flat wood, choose a strong, attached bed frame with a headboard that has gaps. That way, you won’t need to install a grab bar near the bed and can use the frame to help sit up, turn over, or get out of bed. In addition, a bedside rail with pockets and an under-cushion handle for your bed or sofa can help you to rise from low surfaces.
- Touch Lamps: A touch lamp next to your bed or an automatic flashlight in the hall can be very helpful to use when you have limited mobility or dexterity concerns. They are extremely useful when you need to turn on a lamp easily in the middle of the night.
- Towel Rods to Hang Items: Hanging a towel rod on a wall is a great place to hang pouches to keep things in, so they will be accessible and not too hard to reach when you need them. Put the rod at a good height so you don’t need to reach too high or too low, and you can get all kinds of cute pouches and interchangeable baskets to hold whatever you might need. You might need a handyman to properly install any type of hanging rods.
- A Portable Ramp When You Travel: Visiting friends’ houses, shops, or anyplace that may not be accessible can be challenging. Having a backup portable travel ramp can save you lots of stress, and with so many lightweight solutions, you can keep one in your vehicle for when you need it.
- Carabiner Clips for Hands with Reduced Dexterity: You can attach these big clips to drawers for easy opening or to the back of your walker or wheelchair to hold grocery bags.
- Grip Tape or Sports Tape to Keep Things from Slipping: Grip tape or sports tape, including some that glow in the dark, such as the Gription Roll, is a life hack that can help you prevent slipping. Grip tape typically comes on a roll, so it is easily customized to any size or any object. It can be attached to the handles of canes, walkers, and crutches. It can also be added to wheelchair footplates to keep feet in place, or to the sides and handles for easier transport in and out of the chair. The tape is latex-free, as well as waterproof, and the perfect accessory to help keep you and your items in place.
- Voice Assistant Software so You Don’t Have to Get Up: Voice assistant software, such as Alexa or Google Home, can improve your life by leveraging technology to accomplish more tasks in less time and with less effort. Voice assistant software on your phone or in your home can be programmed to turn lights on and off, play music, search the internet, or shop for groceries. Talk-to-text functions can be a game-changer for people who struggle with typing or texting.
- Under-the-Desk Pedal Exercisers: A pedal exerciser is an easy hack for getting in your workout without the hassle of getting to the gym. For those with limited leg or arm movement, pedal exercisers are a perfect way to stay fit at home. Many pedal exercisers are lightweight and easily portable, making it easier to maintain an active lifestyle.
- A Car Cane provides a sturdy handle on the inside of the door for help getting into and out of an automobile. Some also double as a way to break a window, should you ever find yourself needing to escape in an emergency.
- Cutter Bowl or Rocker Knives for Cooking: A cutter bowl can help you cut all your salad ingredients together in one go, saving you time and effort. The ingredients go in the bowl, then the lid allows you to slice a knife through at regular intervals, chopping everything inside. Rocker knives have a long handle with a semi-circular blade attached, allowing you to cut food with one hand while keeping the blade away from your fingers.
- Ergonomic Utensils: There are utensils out there designed for those with arthritis that would also benefit anyone with mobility issues in their arms and hands. They offer better grips and reduce discomfort during use. You can also buy grips to fit onto your existing cutlery if you don’t want to replace what you have.
- Jar Opener: If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling with a jar of pickles or pasta sauce, you’ve probably scanned your kitchen for anything that might open that stubborn jar lid. While help from a friend, some rubber kitchen gloves, or a dish towel will sometimes do the trick, it turns out there are better options that will let you break a jar seal without hurting your hands and wrists. Here are some jar openers from Amazon.
- Easier Way to Swallow Pills: (This is not an item, but a technique.) Swallowing pills can be difficult and unpleasant. It causes one in three people to gag, vomit, or choke. It may keep people from sticking to their medication routines. A study by researchers from the University of Heidelberg in Germany may help people with pill swallowing difficulties. They suggest two techniques that can help people improve their ability to get medicine down. The pop-bottle method is designed for swallowing tablets:
– Fill a plastic water or soda bottle with water.
– Put the tablet on your tongue and close your lips tightly around the bottle opening.
– Take a drink, keeping contact between the bottle and your lips and using a sucking motion to swallow the water and pill. Don’t let air get into the bottle. The lean-forward method to swallow pills is as follows:
– Put a capsule on your tongue.
– Take a sip of water but don’t swallow.
– Tilt your chin toward your chest.
– Swallow the capsule and water while your head is bent. - Laundry Basket with Wheels: To minimize bending down, get a laundry basket on wheels. Ensure your washing machine is installed at the right height to avoid bending. Also, consider a stool to sit on while doing laundry.
- Reflective Tape to Remain Visible: Reflective tape can be applied to a range of items such as mobility scooters, waterproof capes or bags/luggage and helps users remain visible at night or in areas of low light.
- Gardening Aids to Make Gardening Enjoyable Again: Accessible garden aids for those with limited mobility can make gardening much more comfortable. There are a range of accessible products including garden tools with ergonomic handles, soft cushioned kneelers for comfort, and lightweight cordless pressure washers.
- Transfer Belt: Safely assist loved ones with ease using a transfer belt. The 7 padded handles allow for support from any angle, reducing the risk of caregiver injury and preventing falls.
- Dressing Stick for Help Getting Dressed: For those with limited mobility or range of motion, the dressing stick is a must-have for greater independence and convenience when dressing for the day. The stick helps those with limited mobility to minimize bending, twisting, or reaching while getting dressed.
- Mobile TV Stand: The mobile TV stand is designed to provide a versatile viewing experience. With 3 height settings and a swivel mount, you can easily adjust the position of your TV and move it from room to room, as needed. This ensures that no matter where you are, your TV can meet your unique preferences.
- Hairdryer Stand: It’s cold outside! If you want to make sure your hair is dry before heading out into the freezing cold weather, a hairdryer stand can be useful. A hairdryer stand can be either freestanding or fixed to a wall and holds a hairdryer in place so that you don’t have to hold it, which can be particularly useful if you have limited dexterity or strength.
Elder Law and Estate Planning for Seniors Who Need to Plan in Advance for Long-Term Care
According to the Census Bureau, 62 million women and men in the US are 65 or older, and the number is expected to grow to 78 million over the next 15 years. As we age, physical challenges can affect our health and safety, and despite the use of hacks and repairs for accessibility, the home may no longer be the best option for some seniors. It may be time to discuss and plan for long-term care for yourself or loved ones who are experiencing limited mobility issues.
Nursing homes in Northern Virginia and the rest of the Washington, DC Metro area cost $12,000 – $17,000 per month, which can be catastrophic even for wealthy families. By being proactive and helping your loved ones plan for long-term care in advance, you can help ensure that your loved ones always receive the care they need without worry or financial struggle.
It’s never too early or too late to get started. If you or members of your family have not done Incapacity Planning, Estate Planning, or Long-term Care Planning, or if you have a loved one beginning to need more care than you can handle, please contact us as soon as possible to make an appointment:
Elder Law Attorney Fairfax: 703-691-1888
Elder Care Attorney Fredericksburg: 540-479-1435
Estate Planning Attorney Annapolis: 410-372-4444
Medicaid Asset Protection Attorney Rockville: 301-519-8041
Long-Term Care Planning Attorney DC: 202-587-2790