![[Handmade Assistive Devices] DIY assistive tools made from 100-yen shop materials. Packed with simple ideas.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/z94ulU8Ps7Q/maxresdefault.webp)
[Handmade Assistive Devices] DIY assistive tools made from 100-yen shop materials. Packed with simple ideas.
Assistive devices are tools that help people whose daily lives are affected by paralysis or reduced physical function due to illness or aging.
A wide range of items are available, from tableware like chopsticks and plates to devices that support everyday activities and even leisure.
In this article, however, we will intentionally focus on assistive devices you can make by hand.
What’s more, all the ideas here use materials you can find at 100-yen shops, making them easy to try.
Use the ideas introduced here as a reference, and consider customizing them to better suit the physical condition of the person who will actually use the assistive device.
[Handmade Assistive Devices] DIY Assistive Tools Made with 100-Yen Store Materials: Packed with Simple Ideas (1–10)
A self-help device for tying hair with one hand
Here’s an idea for an assistive tool that lets you tie your hair easily with one hand.
It uses a simple setup: fix a string to an S-hook and thread a hair elastic through the string.
Just pass your hair through the loop of string and slide the elastic down to secure it neatly.
Because it can be operated comfortably with one hand, it’s safe and easy to use even for people with limited strength.
All the materials are available at 100-yen shops, and no tools are required.
It’s a handy DIY assistive device that’s easy to make and helps with grooming.
Give it a try!
Reacher
The “reacher,” made only with hook clips and a round dowel you can buy at a 100-yen shop, is a simple yet easy-to-use assistive device.
Assembly is very easy: use the round dowel as the handle and attach a hook clip to the tip.
It’s lightweight and easy to handle, perfect for grabbing or hooking items in hard-to-reach places.
The materials are inexpensive, and you can make it with minimal tools, so even beginners can try it with confidence.
You can also adjust the length to suit the user’s hand size and intended use, which is another plus.
It’s a DIY assistive tool packed with handy ideas that support everyday activities.
Assistive device for closing a zipper with one hand
A handy assistive tool for closing zippers with one hand uses a cord and clips.
It’s very simple to make: attach clips to both ends of a cord and clamp them onto your clothing to hold it in place.
This prevents your clothes from shifting when you pull up the zipper with one hand, making the process much smoother.
All you need are clips and a cord from a 100-yen shop.
You can make it without tools and adjust the cord length and clip positions to suit you.
It’s a practical, DIY assistive idea that solves small everyday inconveniences.
spoon holder
We’ll show you how to make a “spoon holder” designed so that even people with limited hand strength can grip a spoon securely.
Attach hook-and-loop tape to the spoon handle and secure it with vinyl tape.
Then wrap additional hook-and-loop tape around the hand to fasten it, creating a snug fit and a stable grip.
All materials can be purchased at a 100-yen shop, and it’s easy to make.
This handy, recommended DIY assistive device helps reduce the burden of eating and supports eating independently.
Assistive device for folding an umbrella with one hand
A simple assistive tool that uses hook-and-loop fastener and an S-hook makes it easy to fold an umbrella with one hand.
Attach hook-and-loop fastener to the umbrella’s wrap strap and connect an S-hook to the end of it.
Hook the S-hook onto your pants belt, and you’re ready to go.
With the fastener pulled taut, you can wrap the umbrella simply by twirling it with one hand.
There’s no need to readjust your grip on the umbrella, and the motion stays stable.
It’s a handy assistive tool that eases the stress of rainy days.
Clothes-folding machine
The “clothes-folding machine” you can make entirely from cardboard is a handy assistive tool that makes housework easier.
Just place a T-shirt or shirt on it and fold the cardboard panels in sequence, and anyone can finish with a neat shape with ease.
It’s easy to operate with one hand, making it user-friendly for people with limited hand strength or mobility.
All the materials are available at 100-yen shops, and the build requires only scissors and tape.
It’s more practical than it looks—a simple, excellent assistive tool that greatly reduces the stress of folding laundry.
Button Aid
A button aid is an assistive device that lets you fasten buttons on dress shirts or blouses with one hand.
It’s designed for people who can only use one hand due to paralysis or who have difficulty moving their fingertips.
All you need to make one is a pair of chopsticks and a paper clip.
The method is very simple: bend the paper clip into a long, narrow U-shape and attach it to the chopsticks—that’s it.
To use it, thread the button aid through the shirt’s buttonhole, hook the button, and pull it through to fasten.
Getting dressed is something we do every day, so being able to do it independently is a big step forward.
