I see some reviews with concerns about people with arthritis or "weak hands". How severe is this problem. Don't know as I have arthritis but have some problems opening jars etc. Am 87 years old. I see some reviews with concerns about people with arthritis or "weak hands". How severe is this problem. Don't know as I have arthritis but have some problems opening jars etc. Am... » Read More I see some reviews with concerns about people with arthritis or "weak hands". How severe is this problem. Don't know as I have arthritis but have some problems opening jars etc. Am 87 years old. « Show Less
365792
It does take a bit of pressure to engage the blender. Whether it would be an issue is subjective, but I believe this is the typical design for immersion blenders, I think mostly as a safety measure.
365793
I'm sorry I can't help you. I bought this for a birthday present, and the birthday has not arrived yet!
365794
It is somewhat difficult to turn the speed dial. The wand is also a little bit hard to handle. It is large. You might be better off with the Braun Multimix. It is a hand-held mixer with the stick blender attachment and the chopper. It also has dough hooks, but I never used them. I had one for years, but shortly after I got it, it would only work on one speed - high! I actually think that chopper worked better than the Kitchenaid.
365795
I am sorry I can't help you very much as I bought this for my daughter who is 43 years old and she absolutely loves it. She has no problems with it at all.
1162676
I guess it would depend on her age. I'm 65 years old, and a Grand mother, I am able to handle it with to problem. If she is 85 and on the weak side, this could be to heavy for her.
853157
If she can open a jar that's been tightly closed (already opened the first time) she shouldn't have a problem with strength. It takes a few times to get your finger positions figured out to do the low flush only but it's easily mastered.
1538158
Gosh, altho my 99 year old Mother has no problem applying the brake, she is not a faithful brake applyer. She is pretty strong with no arthritis to speak of. I am 77 and have Parkinson's and arthritis but no problem with the brakes.
2252999
For me, general inflamation and pain in joints. I do not have major problems but at 55 I can tell a real difference in joint pain and flexibility when I am using this product and when I am not.
1501210
I am 65, with spinal stenosis and degenerating hip & knee joints and I use it. I found that the body weight of the user stabilizes the unit, making the handles that need to be held during use, secure. The unit I had before was just the bottom portion (no handles) and you had to hold on to the back of a chair for stability....which ended up to be not too stable at all.
903109
Well... I don't have arthritis, but the lids are definitely easy to put on--just push firmly and they pop on. I don't find them difficult to remove. Place a finger under the lid and pull up. I don't know the limits of your arthritis, but my mom had arthritis in her hands, and she was able to open some of the larger bowls in this series, so I THINK you'll be OK.
1719954
I bought this for my mother-in-law who lives far from us and has arthritis and can't open jars on her own. I showed her how to use this a couple times three months ago so I am trying to remember exactly how it functioned. The top part slides and lifts easily. There is no locking mechanism to hold the top up so something would have to be done to hold the top up while you put the jar in and take it out. I was surprised how easily it opens jars with just the push of a button. I think you will find it easy to use if you come up with a way to hold the top up.
2086652
Yes the button must be held down. I too have arthritis, esp. in my thumbs but I could do it without a problem. I dont think I could blend for a long period of time, however, without fatigue.
1876216
I just received mine and remembered this question so I wanted to come back to answer it because I don't agree with all the other reviews. I am female with fairly small hands and arthritis in both thumbs. I can open it easily with one hand and, in fact, can't figure out why you would need to hold the canister itself. I just place my hand over the top, depress the button with my arthritic thumb and gently pull up to open. To close, it's just the reverse--push the button in while pushing gently down. Before posting this, I tried it while it was empty to be sure that it would work this easily empty and it does.
35930
Very easy. I am 63 years old, male, and have no problems. I have smaller hands as well.
2147628
I'm not sure. If her one hand is strong and dexterous, maybe. I have rheumatoid arthritis so my hands are weak. The jar opener works but it is awkward. If she can lift the jar with one hand and put it in the center of the device, she could probably use it. It would be helpful if someone would help her the first few times.
455794
Dorothy, I don't have arthritis, but the speed control is on the top of the unit, and is only about 3/8" thick and rounded at the top edge - leaving nothing much to grip. I guess you could use one of those flat rubber jar openers to grip it or maybe a rubber glove like you use to wash dishes. I have finally learned to press on it with the palm of my hand and turn it or press and turn with the other hand - you can feel the speed changes as it will click into place a little - it's not hard to turn, takes very little pressure, just no place to grip it. I just leave it on 5. Also hard to see the markings even with my reading glasses and they are indentations in shiny chrome. And the directions do not say where the speed control is or how to change it. I severely injured my wrist some time ago and I can turn it with that wrist. I wish I could let you borrow mine to try. I do love mine and use it daily for frozen fruit smoothies, soups, mashed potatoes, canning tomatoes for sauce and stewed tomatoes, fruits for jams, applesauce, even pudding! Hope this helps. Diana
1332617
I have a little arthritis in my right hand and I don't have any trouble. The bar is not hard to adjust but you do need to be able to grip it and twist it to tighten. I really like mine, it works great!
1700911
It has worked well for me on every can we have tried to open. My wife has arthritis and she finds it requires more effort than she can exert on larger cans.
2040197
for me, the main issue was the height limit. it can open a pretty large lid. Mine is in storage so I can't look directly, but maybe some black and decker website might have better info than me. I found a web-like disc that's flexible and grips lids very well. So far, with my arthritis I haven't been stumped yet on opening a jar. Good luck
1955584
I am 68 and also have arthritis but this tool is very easy to use. My wife is 67 and use it yesterday and loves it. I hope this helps.