[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.
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[Handmade Assistive Devices] DIY Assistive Tools Made with 100-Yen Store Materials: Packed with Simple Ideas (1–10)
Assistive device for putting on gloves
Here’s an idea for an assistive device that helps you put on a glove with one hand.
Drive several nails into a board at intervals that mimic finger spacing, then stretch and insert the glove’s finger sections between the nails.
With the glove firmly held in place, you can slide your hand in smoothly and it’s less likely to shift.
By stabilizing the fingertips, it becomes much easier to put on the glove using just one hand.
All you need are a board and nails, and if you have basic tools, you can make it quickly.
It’s a practical assistive device that makes daily tasks easier.
Assistive device for tying handled garbage bags with one hand
A handy tool for tying handled garbage bags with one hand is a DIY aid using an S-hook and anti-slip material.
Wrap the anti-slip around the S-hook and hang it on a desk or cabinet handle.
Hook one handle of the garbage bag onto it to keep the bag from moving, then pull the other handle with your free hand to tie it.
Because the bag is fixed in place, the task goes smoothly.
You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop, and the construction is simple.
No tools are required, so you can try it right away—an easy, recommended idea that makes daily chores more manageable.
tweezer chopsticks
This is an assistive device that helps people who have hand paralysis or cannot use their dominant hand to handle chopsticks.
Since it only uses a clothespin and rubber bands, it should be easy to make.
The method is simple too: just fasten the clothespin and chopsticks together with rubber bands.
The finished “tweezer chopsticks” can be held and used with a squeezing motion, so anyone who can open and close their hand should be able to use them.
The stiffness of opening and closing the chopsticks depends on the strength of the clothespin spring, so try making them with different clothespins to find the tension that’s easiest for you to use.
[Handmade Assistive Devices] DIY aids made from 100-yen shop materials. Packed with simple ideas (11–20)
long-handled brush
The “long-handled brush” made from 100‑yen shop materials is a perfect self-help tool for people who want to easily clean hard-to-reach places on their own.
Soften the brush handle by soaking it in hot water, then bend it to your preferred angle.
Fix the brush to a tension rod with zip ties, and reinforce the joint firmly with Orficast to improve stability.
You can use the original grip as-is, which makes it easy to assemble.
With simple materials and steps, it’s a practical item you can customize to suit your own needs.
An assistive device for engaging a wheelchair’s brakes
A self-help device that supports wheelchair brake operation can be easily made using just stick-on fabric and a plastic wrap core from a 100-yen shop.
By using the core to create a longer grip and wrapping it with the stick-on fabric for better traction, you get a comfortable, secure finish that’s easy to hold.
It’s lightweight and easy to use, designed so that even people with limited strength can apply the brakes.
Since both materials are common and inexpensive, you can keep costs down while customizing the device to suit your needs.
With virtually no tools required, it’s easy to make and is recommended for anyone looking to improve everyday safety.
Contracture and spasticity prevention cushion
To prevent hand contracture and stiffness, a gently supportive cushion can be very helpful.
One recommended option is a “contracture and spasticity prevention cushion” made by stacking three gloves, folding them back, and stitching them together.
It fits the shape of the hand snugly, gently supporting the joints and muscles.
Because it’s made from gloves, it feels soft on the skin, is easy to wash if it gets dirty, and stays clean and hygienic.
It’s also very easy to make with materials you likely already have, which is part of its appeal.
This is a support item that’s easy to incorporate into daily care.
A nail clipper that can cut nails even with a grip strength of 0 kg
This stationary, innovative nail clipper is designed to be safe and easy to use even with very little grip strength.
A store-bought clipper is firmly screwed onto a board to prevent wobbling.
A large plate is attached to the lever, making it easy to press with your palm or fingertips; with the leverage effect, nails are cut smoothly with just a light push.
Because it doesn’t require squeezing force, it can be operated comfortably even with one hand.
All materials can be found at a 100-yen shop, and it’s easy to make—another nice bonus.
It’s a reliable item that lets you trim your nails by yourself, even if you’re not confident in your grip strength.