Door Handles

Modify your traditional doorknobs for pain-free, easy accessibility

Opening a door is a simple task for most people, but it can be very painful - and sometimes impossible - for young children, older people, and those with arthritis. The good news is - it is quick and easy to modify your door handles or attach a hand aid to the existing handles. With simple adaptations, door operation becomes much easier.

Certain doors are intended to be difficult for young children to operate. You, of course, want to make it impossible for kids to get into cabinets and rooms that store dangerous materials. But let's talk about doors and cabinets that should be managed effortlessly.

Levered door handles are the easiest to control. While standard doorknobs need to be gripped and twisted, levers can be pushed with a fist, wrist, forearm, or elbow. Even with painful joints, these levers can be easily used.  

If a doorknob cannot be replaced, purchase an adapter that fits right over the knob. These ergonomically designed extenders turn a standard round doorknob into a push lever.

Cabinet drawer handles and cabinet door handles should also be replaced. U- and D-shaped handles are the easiest to grasp, even with weak hands or painful fingers.

Bathroom and bedroom doors need locks. Make sure you have ones that are easy to lock and open. Choose a door handle with a push button lock that unlocks automatically when the interior lever is pushed open.

While you're modifying the door handles and locks, don't forget the keys! Standard locks on exterior doors require tiny keys, which are extremely difficult to operate for little hands, or when arthritis is flaring. Look for inexpensive key adapters. They fit right over keys to increase leverage with minimal stress on the fingers. One type of key adapter simply enlarges the end of the key for easier gripping. Another attaches a double opening to slip two fingers in, improving the grip.

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• When we install blinds or shades on doors we secure the bottom with hold-down brackets that keep the blinds or shades from swinging when the door is opened.
• We can order the cord for the blind or shade on the opposite side of the door handle to keep the cords from getting caught in the door.
• We can also order the blind or shade with a cordless option so there are no cords to get caught in the door.

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• When purchasing new window treatments be sure to ask about what options are available. It might be a good time to consider a cordless option that keeps the cord away from children, pets, vacuums and doors.
• It is good to discuss all the options before you purchase. You may not want any of the options but at least you had the chance to decide before you order rather than wishing you had added that special feature that is not available after the fact.
• Don't feel you need to decide what window treatments you want before making an appointment. We may be able to suggest different choices and options you didn't even know existed that would be best for your situation.