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Low-Stress Built-Up Handles: 2 Ways

In this article, you will learn how to make your own ergonomic, built-up handles.  Built-up handles are ideal for people who have arthritis helping to reduce pain and stress on the joints.  All that’s needed are a couple materials, and you will have a light weight, wide grip handle that can be used with a variety of utensils. 

Built Up Assistive Handles

This content is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician, therapist, or other medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment. 

This post may contain affiliate links.  As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.  See our full disclosure. 
 

What Are Built-Up Handles?

Built-up handles provide users a wide gripping surface on feeding, writing, and other daily utensils.  This type of adaptive equipment can be attached to a variety of everyday objects such as eating and writing utensils, toothbrushes, hair brushes, even crochet hooks and knitting needles.  Built-up handles help make everyday tasks easier and more comfortable.  Find out how to make your own built up handles using either foam tubing or a wash cloth and rubber bands following the tutorials below. 

DIY built-up handles

Why Use Built-Up Handles?

When using a built-up handle, the wide gripping surface can help to reduce pain and discomfort while grasping various handles that typically require the use of fine motor muscles and a precision grasp.  This type of adaptive living aid provides ergonomic support, are lightweight, and can be interchanged to fit various handles. 

This built-up assistive tool may benefit people who experience:

  • Arthritis 
  • Hand injuries
  • Limited hand strength
  • Limited upper extremity control
  • Weak grasp
  • Hand tremors
  • Hand pain
  • Limited upper extremity range of motion
  • Difficulties with grasping utensils
occupational therapy favorite products

Need Daily Living Aids?

No time for DIY? And need the professional version? Check out my list of favorite adaptive daily living aids. Click the button below to see the full list.

Favorite Daily Living Aids

Built-up handles can provide benefits to not only older adults, but also younger individuals of who may experience upper extremity weakness.  Benefits of using padded utensils can include:

  • Less stress on the joints
  • Ergonomic comfort
  • Improvements in self care
  • Light weight
  • Helps to reduce cramping in the hand
  • Versatility
  • Interchangeable between various utensils
  • Universal

Adapt These Types Of Utensils With Built-Up Handles

Occupational therapists often recommend adaptive built up handles to help clients gain independence and comfort while reducing pain and fatigue of the joints in the hand.  This type of assistive technology can be used with everyday items such as:

  • Feeding utensils such as sporks, forks, and knives
  • Pens and pencils
  • Paint brushes
  • Hairbrush
  • Toothbrush 
  • Knitting and crochet needles/hooks
  • Back brush
  • Shoe horn
  • Button hook
  • Zipper Pull
  • Other tools used in activities of daily living

Where To Purchase Materials 

Foam Tubing 

Foam tubing can be purchased from The Wright Stuff, an online assistive technology store that is family and physical therapist owned.  This type of foam tubing comes in 3 different sizes designed to easily fit a variety of handles. The foam tubing can be cut to the size needed and easily adjusted onto handled devices.  I highly recommend this type of foam tubing to build up handles.  Click the button below for more information.  Thank you for your support.  

Colored Foam Tubing

An Assistive Strap To Help Maintain Grasp on The Built Up Handles?

If you are in need of an assistive device to help you maintain your grasp on handles, I recommend the EaZyHold Grip Straps.  These handy little straps help users maintain their grasp on handled devices.  They are easy to attach, are soft on the skin, and easily pack into your bag or purse.  The Wright Stuff offers EaZyHold Adult Grip Straps as a 5 pack.  Their 5 pack has 3 different size openings on straps to fit a variety of handles. Pediatric sizes are also available.  Click button below for more information.  Thank you for your support. 

EazyHold Grip Straps

Special Considerations

  • Caution!  As with using anything sharp, please adhere to safety and precautions. 
  • Always ask for help when needed. 
  • When using a built up handle, do not use plastic ware.  Always use metal feeding utensils.
  • It is important to consult with your occupational therapist before using any adaptive equipment to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.  
  • Be sure to properly secure the built-up handle to the utensil or tool to prevent slipping. 

Other Types Of Adaptive Equipment That Might Be Helpful

Adaptive clothing tutorial
diy sock aid
DIY button hook and zipper pull

 Built-Up Handles: 2 Ways

Built Up Assistive Handles

Materials And Instructions: Foam Tubing Built Up Handles

Materials

  • Utensil of choice (pen, spoon, hairbrush, etc).  Do not use utensil plastic ware; only metal eating utensils. 
  • Foam Tubing  
  • Scissors or Box blade to cut the tubing
  • Rubber bands to hold the tubing in place as needed. 
  • Smart Design Shelf Liner Classic Grip  for a non-slip gripping surface (optional)

 Instructions

  1.  Choose the correct diameter of tubing for the utensil you plan to use.  *See the special note below. 
  2. Cut foam tubing to desired length based on size of the utensil. 
  3. Push utensil through the tube’s hole.  
  4. For a non-slip surface, wrap with grip shelf liner and secure with rubber bands (optional).
  5. Done

*Special Note:  If your tubing is too large and will not stay in place on your utensil, try using 2 rubber bands to hold in place.  Wrap one rubber band just below the tubing, and wrap another rubber band just above the tubing to secure the tubing in place (see picture above).

DIY built up handle

Materials + Instructions: Washcloth Built-Up Handle

Materials

  • Chosen utensil
  • Washcloth
  • 2 rubber bands

Washcloth Built-Up Handle Instructions

  1. Depending on the size of utensil, fold the washcloth in half.
  2. Wrap washcloth around the utensil handle and secure with at least 2 rubber bands at the top and bottom of the washcloth securing it in place.  If needed, trim the washcloth to match your desired thickness around the handle. See picture below for rubber band placement.
  3. If the washcloth slips, secure a few rubber bands below the washcloth with extra twists to secure it in place, or add another rubber band(s) the wash cloth (3-4 total) and secure tightly. 
  4. And your DONE! 

*Special Note: The tubing or washcloth can be wrapped with supreme grip shelf liner and secured with rubber bands to ensure a non-slip surface.  Wash washcloth as needed.

favorite adaptive daily living aids

Looking For More Daily Living Aids?

Check out my list of favorite daily living aids from button hooks to bed ladders to help increase independence. Click the button below to see the full list.

Favorite Daily Living Aids
Built Up Toothbrush Handle

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Resources

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4 thoughts on “Low-Stress Built-Up Handles: 2 Ways”

      1. LJ in LA

        Thanks for the great info. I was searching for a DIY low-cost solution for my 88 y.o. uncle with Rheumatoid Arthritis to help him remain independent. Love your ideas. Keep ’em coming!

        Reply

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