Can openers

Can openers assist individuals to open steel cans. A range of can openers are available that can assist individuals who may experience difficulty due to reduced grip or muscle strength, pain or restricted use of one or both hands to open cans so they can use tinned food products to prepare meals or open ring pull cans independently within the workplace.

Workplace solutions and adjustments

A range of manual and electric can openers are available from department stores and specialist suppliers to assist individuals with restricted arm or hand movement or limited strength to open cans or tins. It is important to consider the reasons why a can or tin opener is required to ensure the most appropriate type is purchased. Some things to consider are:

• how much strength does an individual have, such as can they support the weight of a can
• is the individual one handed or particularly left or right hand preferred?
• can an individual grip large objects but not small?
• does the can opener need to be portable or can it be positioned permanently on a wall?
• if the opener leaves a sharp cut surface is there risk of injury to the individual?
• can the opener be cleaned easily?

Electric can openers

Generally electric can openers either sit on a bench or are mounted on a wall close to a power point. They can be push button or lever operated, and usually requires an individual to lift the can to the device with some requiring ongoing support of the weight of the can to stop it falling. Check if the opener stops once the can lid has been completely opened or if the height can be adjusted according to each can to reduce the need to support the can weight. Electric can openers can usually be used one handed.

Manual can openers

Manual can openers can have a range of features including large or small handles and turning knobs and usually require two hands to operate with one hand to squeeze handles and pierce the lid and the other to turn the knob. Some openers can be operated from the top rather than the side, whilst others have a spring loaded capacity to assist in piercing the lid. If small hand movements, restricted wrist movement or reduced grip strength is a concern, the larger the handle and turning knob the easier it will be to operate.

Ring pull can openers

A large range of food now comes in individual serving size tins for convenience at work, along with soft drinks with ring pull lids. For individuals who have difficulty getting a finger under the ring pull in order to open these cans, specialised ring pull can openers with long handles and a hook are available. Teaspoons can also be used to successfully open some cans but edging the spoon under the ring pull for easier gripping.

More information about other equipment that can be used to assist food preparation in the kitchen, can be found at the links below:

• Knives—ergonomic
• Scissors—ergonomic and spring loaded
• Tap turners

References

Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007, Product Search, Independent Living Centres Australia, Sydney, viewed 10 January 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search.asp.

• Adapted cooking equipment
• Adapted kitchen appliances
• Cake decorating syringes that use plungers
• Can openers
• Crockery and cutlery—adaptive
• Hospitalities and catering equipment
• Jar openers
• Kettle rockers
• Knives—ergonomic
• Lazy-Susan carousels
• Stove isolation switches
• Tables mats—non-slip
• Tap turners
• Taps—lever taps
• Traymobiles—height adjustable
• Utensil handles
• Vegetable boards—modified