When a person can only use one hand, temporarily after an injury or surgery, or more permanently, many everyday actions need to be rethought. In its guide "One-handed living tips", the occupational therapy department of Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) gathers a series of tips aimed at facilitating daily life activities.

Stabilize Rather Than Hold

One of the essential principles is to replace the function of the second hand as much as possible. During a two-handed activity, one hand generally manipulates the object while the other holds it. With only one hand available, it is necessary to find another way to stabilize it.

CUH notably suggests holding an object against the body, using a non-slip material, placing a weight on it, or, in some situations, holding it between the knees or with the foot. These simple techniques can make many tasks that initially seemed difficult possible.

Organize Your Environment

Independence also involves good preparation. Placing necessary objects within reach before starting an activity limits unnecessary handling and movement. It is also advised to take one's time, experiment with different methods, and use electrical appliances when they truly simplify a task.

After a scheduled operation, anticipating can make a big difference: stocking some food supplies, preparing easy-to-open containers, or temporarily favoring meals that do not require cutting can simplify the first days.

Toileting and Dressing: Some Effective Adaptations

In the bathroom, a non-slip mat or a shower seat can make washing safer. A soap dispenser is generally easier to use than bar soap, while a sponge or long-handled brush can facilitate washing certain parts of the body. A terry cloth robe can also advantageously replace the sometimes complicated handling of a large towel.

For dressing, the guide particularly recommends putting on the affected arm first and removing it last. Loose clothing, elastic waistbands, slip-on shoes or those with Velcro, elastic shoelaces, and button hooks can also greatly reduce the difficulty of dressing alone.

Cooking with One Hand

Cooking is an area where object stabilization is very important. Among the equipment mentioned are a one-handed cutting board, non-slip mat, suction bowl, electric can opener, and jar opener. Buying some foods already cut or prepared can also make daily life easier.

To drain pasta, rice, or vegetables, CUH suggests a particularly interesting idea: use a metal cooking basket placed inside the pot. Then simply remove the basket rather than lifting and tilting a pot full of boiling water, a potentially difficult and risky operation with one hand.

At the table, a rimmed plate, a non-slip support, and multifunctional cutlery can promote more independent eating.

The Smartphone Can Also Adapt

Digital technologies now offer several accessibility functions. The guide notably mentions the one-handed keyboard and the Reachability feature on iPhone, as well as the one-handed mode available on some Android devices. Voice commands and some configurable gestures can also reduce the need to manipulate the screen. The availability of these features, however, depends on the model and operating system version.

Find Your Own Way of Doing Things

Ultimately, there is no single technique that suits everyone. Cambridge University Hospitals emphasize that sometimes multiple methods need to be tried before discovering the one that matches one's abilities, environment, and the activity involved.

This approach is especially relevant for independence: rather than giving up an activity because it is usually done with two hands, it is a matter of asking how to transform it, how to stabilize the object, or what equipment can replace the second hand.

Sometimes very simple adaptations can thus allow regaining more independence to dress, wash, prepare a meal, eat, or use everyday digital tools.

Sources

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust — One-handed living tips
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/one-handed-living-tips/

Cambridge University Hospitals — Patient information, occupational therapy
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/

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