While it is sometimes difficult to admit, sometimes opening jars and cans can be incredibly difficult and requires a lot more effort than it should.
This can be an especially prevalent problem for older people who may be suffering from conditions like arthritis or just have weak hands.
It can be a massive blow to someone’s confidence if they are unable to do a task like this and can be an embarrassing problem to admit.
This is why it is great that in recent years there has been a massive surge in products designed to make tasks like this easier with the goal of accessibility in mind.
There are a lot of different subsections to these products like devices designed to open specific types of containers, or multi-tools that aim to open everything that seniors may have problems with.
While these products have seniors as the demographic they are largely aimed at, these products are made so that anyone can use them.
So if you suffer from premature arthritis or have gripping problems, these are great products to invest in to save time and to improve your quality of life.
This list will cover a wide variety of products and categories so if you need any help to understand terminology or want advice on how to pick the product that is best for you, head down to the buyer’s guide after the list of products to get all the information you will need.
Without further introduction here are the best jar openers and other similar accessibility products for seniors!
The Best Jar Openers For The Elderly
Jar & Bottle Opener Gripper Multi Kitchen Tools Set 2 Pack
[amazon fields=”B087XBD9PZ” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
If you need a multi tool set that will solve most of the accessibility problems you or the person you are buying for is having, it is likely that this product will give you what you need.
This simple design has 4 indents designed to grip to a variety of different jar sizes and give the user an improved grip and leverage to get tricky jars open.
The design is simple, but it has caught on because it works and is easy to understand. This version of the product also comes with another tool with bonus uses designed for bottle and can opening.
If opening tricky containers is a problem this set will make the task much easier for anyone for an affordable price.
Pros
- Simple design makes it easy for seniors to understand
- Very versatile in the amount of products it can fit
- Easy to use and great for saving time
- Does not take up a lot of space.
Cons
- It is not automated and still requires effort from the user
- Will not fit bigger containers
[amazon box=”B087XBD9PZ”]
Prepworks By Progressive Jar Grips Multi-Purpose Lid Openers, Set Of 3
[amazon fields=”B00F67TLFC” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
Sometimes simplicity is the right approach. These silicone shapes are designed to give the user an unnatural amount of grip to make opening jars much easier.
The shape of the material makes it, so the grip is forcing the jar open and not letting the user’s hands slip free. The product also comes in 3 distinct shapes and colors that work for different situations and make it easy to tell them apart.
Due to the products’ simplicity this is one of the cheapest options on the list so if you do not want to break the bank but need this problem solved, these grips are the way to go.
Pros
- Simple design makes them easy to understand
- Multi colored and multi shaped to make them good for different uses
- Affordable choice
Cons
- Can very easily get lost and go missing due to how little space they take up
[amazon box=”B00F67TLFC”]
EZ Off Jar Opener – Under Cabinet Jar Lid & Bottle Opener
[amazon fields=”B000X6K9J8″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
The EZ Off jar opener is a deceptively simple solution to the problem of opening jars. This device will need someone to help with installation as it is designed to be screwed to the bottom of a countertop, cabinet, or table.
But once it is secured this device works effectively simply. The device has teeth that one a jar lid is inserted will give a good level of grip and make opening jars super simple.
With its angular design it also fits a much wider selection of jars than some of the more niche products on this list. Best of all it stays out of the way so it does not take up room and is not an eyesore.
The only downside of this is if the person you are buying for is forgetful there is a chance they may forget the device is there.
Pros
- Simple solution that works well
- Stays out of the way not taking up room
- Fits a much larger variety of jars than other options
- Subtle solution that does not stick out
Cons
- Some users may forget that it is there
- Will probably need help with installation
[amazon box=”B000X6K9J8″]
OXO Good Grips Jar Opener With Base Pad
[amazon fields=”B002DWA6KM” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
This product has a simple sleek design that works surprisingly well, and unlike a lot of the other products on this list is dishwasher safe.
This has a very simple design of a base cap slid inside the lid holder which you can use as a base for putting your jars on, so they do not slip while you are opening them.
And then the main product can get a good grip of your lid and open it with minimal effort.
This solution is very simple and will not be difficult for any seniors to understand, and the inclusion of a base pad solves the problem of the jar itself sliding around surfaces.
The only issue is with such a fixed design this device can fit a much smaller variety of lids.
Pros
- Simple easy to understand dishwasher safe design
- Base pad solves problem a lot of other products do not
- Works effectively on jars it fits
Cons
- Does not fit as big a range of jars as some of the other products
[amazon box=”B002DWA6KM”]
12 Pack Multi-Purpose Jar Gripper Pad Rounds
[amazon fields=”B01N1USFQP” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
These pads solve the problem of opening jars in a similar way to the 3 silicone pads mentioned earlier. But if you are worried about the user losing the pads too quickly, this product is slightly lower quality but gives you 12 for a similar price.
With a mesh design, these grips have an equally strong ability to help open jars and can also be used as coasters or base pads with their minimalist design.
If you also need some for yourself you can easily split this multipack and have enough each, so that you will struggle to lose them all.
Pros
- Easy and simple to use
- Lots of them so it is difficult to lose them all
- Bright colors help them stand out
- Affordable for how many you get
Cons
- You can get higher quality versions of the same product
- Still need to use a good amount of force to see results
[amazon box=”B01N1USFQP”]
Hamilton Beach Open Ease Automatic Jar Opener
[amazon fields=”B007P2LAAU” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
This is one of the most expensive products on the list and this is because it makes the process of opening jars completely automatic.
This battery powered design gets a good grip on a good variety of lid sizes and does all the twisting for you without any help needed.
It sometimes takes a bit of time to learn how to get the device to work properly but once this has been done it works very well.
Of course being battery powered is a slight downside but since this device is unlikely to be in constant use it takes a while for it to run out of power.
If you know that the person you are buying for struggles putting the strength needed in to open jars, this is the best solution for the problem.
Pros
- Does the entire job for you
- Fits a good variety of jar sizes
- Does not take too long to learn how to use
- Simple design does not require much tech knowledge
Cons
- Batteries may need replacing after heavy use
- Does not fit jars that are too big or too small
[amazon box=”B007P2LAAU”]
Jokari Easy Open Prescription Medicine Bottle Opener And Built In Magnifying Glass
[amazon fields=”B002A2NCVA” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
This is a much more niche product than a lot of the others on the list, but this design is made specifically for opening prescription medication containers.
These containers can often be quite difficult to open and if the person you are buying for has a lot of medication this design can save them a significant amount of time.
One of the best bonus features of this product is the built-in magnifying glass that makes reading the labels on the side of the container easier. This can help avoid any potentially dangerous mix-ups as well as ensuring the correct dosage.
Pros
- Serves its niche function very well
- Magnifying glass comes in very handy
- Gives good amount of grip for such a small container
Cons
- Serves very niche purpose and can not be used on other containers
[amazon box=”B002A2NCVA”]
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter/Can Opener With Ring Pull
[amazon fields=”B000I7GST2″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
While this is not technically primarily designed as a jar opener it serves a similar function in its accessibility features for helping people open cans.
This product is designed to make opening cans and lids as accessible as possible, so it can be used with even one hand and with a simple enough design to make it easy to understand for a wide variety of users.
While it might be quite complex to learn how to operate at first, after it is learned it will make the process of opening cans significantly easier.
Pros
- The best accessible can opener available
- Once design is learned it makes the task easy
- Perfect for those with only one functioning hand
Cons
- There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to learning how the product works
[amazon box=”B000I7GST2″]
Buyer’s Guide
While jar openers may seem like quite an easy product to shop for, there are a surprising number of factors that should be considered, especially if you are not buying for yourself.
Consider all of the variables mentioned in this buyer’s guide, and you will be able to ensure you are getting the product that is best for you!
How Much Force Is Needed
When considering a product which you are buying for someone who might have limited capabilities, it is important to consider what amount of force is needed for a product to work.
Some of the products on this list are simply a helper designed to make the task easier by providing a better grip or more leverage.
These products are good for those who just need that extra boost to be able to open containers. However, if more help than this is needed, a product that is fully automated will be significantly more useful.
While more automated products tend to be more expensive, this is due to the wider demographic of people they are helpful for.
Keep in mind the capabilities of the person you are buying for as this will heavily influence the types of jar openers that are a viable option for them.
Quality Of Grip
A lot of the products on this list are designed to improve grip while some of them are more focused on just giving more force. Keep in mind what aspect of jar opening the person you are buying for struggles with.
If grip is the main issue you want to buy a product that has this as the primary function.
For example, the gripping silicone pads are some of the cheapest products on this list and while they do not provide any extra leverage or force, the drastic increase in grip may be the only help the person you are buying for needs.
The opposite of this is true as well, some of the products on this list are simply not designed to improve grip but just provide extra strength, so if you need grip make sure to avoid these products.
Simplicity Of Device
When you are purchasing devices and gadgets for elders you need to keep in mind the difficulty that can be faced by older people to get to grips with newer technology.
While some of the devices on this list have a very simple obvious function that hopefully will take minimal effort to learn to use, the inverse is very much true as well.
Some of these devices will need instructions to be followed to use properly and may even have a learning curve that will need to be overcome to get the full use out of the product.
Even if you think a product is definitely the best one for solving the problems the person you are buying for is facing, make sure to take into consideration how easy it will be to learn to use the product.
How Much Space Does It Take Up
While this is a simple issue to assess, it is more important than you think. For example, if the person you are buying for lives in assisted living they most likely have limited storage especially for personal objects, so a more minimal product may be better.
But if you know that they have plenty of storage then you do not have to worry about this and simply get the best fitting product.
How Easy Is It To Lose
This is similar to the previous point, but small products or products that are not brightly colored can be very easy for older people to lose track of.
Make sure to buy a product that you know the person you are buying for will be able to keep somewhere safe, especially if it is a person you know is more forgetful.
How Many Jars Can It Fit
This is definitely worth considering as it effects if the product is usable.
People tend to use similar products in different containers so before buying it is worth checking to see if the product you want to buy will actually fit the jars or containers that your user deals with.
If they mainly deal with smaller containers, you will likely have to look for a product that is designed specifically for these, and the same goes for above average sized containers.
However, if the person you are buying for generally uses average sized containers you can feel safe buying a product that will fit average jars and lids.
Conclusion
So this has been a complete run down of all of the jar opening products that are best for seniors. There has been a massive variety of products that while all solve similar problems, they achieve this in very different ways.
Make sure to consider all of the points in the buyer’s guide before purchasing, so you can be sure that you are getting the best fitting product for the person you are buying for!