Long Handled Adaptive Utensils: 2 Ways

Follow this tutorial and learn how to make your own long handled device to use while eating, combing hair, and brushing teeth. This adaptive, long handled device can help individuals with limited arm range of motion gain independence in self care tasks.

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Long Handled Adaptive Devices

Long handled utensils are great for individuals who have limited upper extremity (arm) range of motion. These types of adaptive devices are super simple to make and only need a few items to get started. Plus, long handled utensils can be beneficial in helping individuals gain independence with self feeding, bathing, and brushing teeth and hair with the help of this adaptive device.

What Is A Long Handled Adaptive Device?

Long handled utensils, also known as extension utensils, are a type of adaptive equipment that can help individuals with limited arm range of motion be independent with activities of daily living (ADL’s). Its specific purpose is to extend the length of a typical handle making daily tasks easier for those with limited range of motion and/or strength. Whether reaching down to wash your toes, self feeding, or brushing the back of your hair, long handled sponges, hair brushes, and forks and spoons can help.

Who Might Benefit From Using A Long Handled Adaptive Utensil?

Occupational therapists often recommend long handled devices to help their clients gain independence in self care skills who have:

Limited arm strength
Restricted upper extremity (arm) range of motion
Limited reach

How Can I Make My Long Handle Built Up As Well?

Having a wider gripping surface can help make grasping a small utensil easier while also helping to reduce pain and cause less stress on the joints. Built up handles have a larger, wider gripping surface that can be added to a number of devices such as hair brushes, forks or spoons, pens and pencils, and paint brushes among others.

Make your device built up using either foam tubing or wrapping a wash cloth around the handle using rubber bands. Check out this post for the full details on how to make your own DIY built up handles.

Can An Angled Spoon Help Making Eating Easier?

Angled spoons can be helpful for individuals who are using a long handled device for feeding, but are having difficulty achieving the correct angle for putting the spoon in the mouth. A long handle device paired with an angled spoon or fork can make eating easier for those with limited arm range of motion.

Other Types of Long Handled Adaptive Devices

Shoe horn
Feeding utensils such as a long handled spoon and fork
Sponge or washcloth
Hair brush or comb
Razor for shaving legs

Other Types of Assistive Technology You Might Be Interested In:

Things To Keep In Mind When Making A Long Handled Adaptive Device

When I made my long handled spoon, my dowel rod measured 7 inches long. Try to approximate the length needed. Add a couple extra inches to make sure you have the correct length, and trim to the length needed specific for your situation.
Wash feeding utensils after each use. Either remove the spoon from the Velcro and wash. Or cut the duct tape and wash the utensil after each use.
Make sure to use a metal feeding utensil. No plastic ware.
Add a built up handle to your device. Add foam tubing or a washcloth for a low stress built up handle.

How To Make Your Own Long Handled Adaptive Device

Materials

Dowel rod approximately ¼” thick and about 7” long depending on your situation
Duct tape or approximately a ½” wide piece of Velcro
Feeding utensil, comb or hair brush, or other device of choice.
Thread and a sewing machine if using Velcro

Instructions

How To Make A Long Handled Utensil Using Duct Tape– Easy

Place your spoon, fork, comb, hair brush, etc on the dowel rod (see pictures above for placement).
Secure with (2)1/2″ strips of duct tape. Add more duct tape as needed to ensure a tight fit.
Add a built up handle for better comfort and ease of use. See post for details.

How To Make A Long Handled Utensil Using Velcro- Sewing Required.

Cut an approximate 2″ strip of the soft side of the Velcro (or more as needed depending on the handle of the device you are using and the width of the dowel rod).
Sew a small loop as pictured below (picture 1) making sure the dowel rod you are using fits through the opening. Sew in place by sewing a rectangle and then an “X” through the middle as pictured. The rectangle and X will make it more secure.
Cut a 1-2″ piece of the rough side of the Velcro (or more depending on how wide your utensil handle is). Attach the two pieces with right sides together with an approximate 1/2″ overlap. Before sewing, it’s a good idea to wrap the Velcro around the dowel rod to ensure both pieces of Velcro are going the correct direction.
Put your chosen utensil in place and secure. Done and ready to use!