My Top Adaptive Kitchen Hacks for Chronic Illness, Fatigue & Hand Pain: Because “making dinner” shouldn’t feel like climbing a mountain
Living with chronic illness, pain, fatigue, or limited mobility means everyday tasks can be exhausting or even unsafe. For me, the kitchen has always been one of the hardest places to manage; standing for long periods, using fiddly tools, lifting pans, cleaning up… it all adds up fast. But over the years, I’ve found some simple but game-changing kitchen hacks and tools that make life a lot easier.
These are some of the things I use and love. Some are cheap gadgets, others are support systems, and all of them help me protect my energy, reduce pain and get back a little more independence in the kitchen even if my partner & support workers still have to make the majority of my meals.
1. Wheelie Saddle Stool – for seated movement around the kitchen
This has honestly been a gamechanger. In my old flat, I used a bar stool, but getting up and down constantly was making my POTS symptoms worse. Now, with my wheelie saddle stool, I can move around the kitchen while staying seated – which is especially helpful at breakfast when I’m hopping between the fridge, toaster and cupboards.
It’s important to note that this kind of stool works best if you’re able to balance and control it safely yourself. My kitchen isn’t very accessible, so instead of using a manual wheelchair in that space, I use this stool to glide around more comfortably.
2. Frozen Pre-Prepped Veg & Microwave Meals – no shame, just survival
When fatigue hits or pain flares up, standing to chop or cook from scratch just isn’t realistic. Frozen chopped onions, steam bags of veg, and ready meals mean I can still eat without making things worse.
It’s not lazy, it’s adaptive – and survival comes before aesthetics. These staples save my spoons on the days I need it most.
3. L-Shaped Knife – designed for people with hand pain or EDS
This was one of the first “EDS hacks” I ever got. My fingers really struggle with traditional knives – the grip, the pressure, the angle. The L-shaped knife lets me use wrist strength instead, which avoids putting pressure through my painful finger joints.
I mostly use it for chopping veg, but there’s also a bread knife version if slicing bread is part of your routine.
4. Automatic Tin Opener – the ultimate gamechanger
Hands-free and so satisfying to use! This is hands-down one of the most-used tools in our kitchen. It’s not just me – even Ian and my support workers love it. My mum got one for my Nanna one Christmas, and ended up buying herself one too!
It works with just a button press, the batteries last for ages, and I don’t think Ian could use a regular tin opener anymore even if he tried.
5. Palm Peeler – perfect for poor grip or low hand strength
This little tool is worn like a ring and sits in the palm of your hand. It’s much easier to control than a standard peeler and doesn’t require as much grip strength or wrist movement.
It’s a small change, but it can make food prep less painful and more manageable.
6. Jar, Bottle & Pull Ring Openers – small tools, big difference
I’ve collected a few gadgets over the years, but my 6-in-1 opener handles most packaging with ease. Whether it’s a stubborn jar lid, a fizzy drinks bottle or a tin with a ring pull, this tool reduces the strain and helps me avoid injury.
No more using a towel or asking someone else for help every time I want a snack.
7. Grip Toggles – adaptable handles for utensils, drawers & more
These clever attachments add a bigger, softer handle to tools like spatulas, spoons or even toothbrushes. You can also flip them and use the suction cup side to help open drawers or cupboard doors.
They’re not the easiest to get on and off, so I tend to keep them on items I use a lot. I don’t cook as much now, but when I did more regularly, they were a great support. And they’re not limited to the kitchen – they work anywhere better grip is needed.
8. Hiring a Cleaner – yes, that counts as a hack too
Sometimes, the best hack is asking for help. When I was first awarded disability benefits, hiring a cleaner was the very first thing we did. I can’t manage cleaning at all, and Ian was burning out trying to work full-time and keep the flat clean.
Now, we have someone come every two weeks to clean the house, and Ian’s mum kindly helps in the weeks between, mainly with the kitchen. In fact, it’s how I met my support worker Poppy – she started as our cleaner, and when we clicked and I found out she had a care background, she became my support worker too!
Asking for help wasn’t easy at first. It took things reaching a real crisis point with my mental health before I let go of the idea that I had to do it all myself. But it shouldn’t take that. There are people out there who enjoy cleaning and find it satisfying. Whether it’s paid or unpaid, support is valid – and a clean, functional kitchen makes a huge difference to your day-to-day energy.
Final Thoughts
Managing chronic illness, fatigue, or disability in the kitchen doesn’t mean giving up on cooking altogether – it just means finding what works for you. Whether it’s a clever tool or some well-placed support, these adaptive kitchen hacks have made a huge difference to me, and I hope something in this list helps you too.
If you’ve already used some of these or end up trying something new, I’d love to know what you think. And if you’ve found your own kitchen tools or routines that make life easier, drop them in the comments – I’m always looking for new ideas to try and share. And you can find a whole page of useful chronic illness hacks here!
Want to see these products in action?
Check out my Kitchen Hacks Youtube Video for real-life demos, honest opinions and a closer look at how these tools fit into my daily routine.
