Nail care is an activity of daily living that many people with disabilities struggle with. Many conditions affect the ability to perform the minute movements required to cut nails safely. Furthermore, the more we age, the more skin problems and in-grown nails we tend to have. For diabetics, clipping fingernails and toenails is an especially delicate process that most paid caregivers are not qualified or permitted to do.

For this reason, unless the person with the disability is empowered to cut their own nails, it is hard to find someone to do it, and nails end up growing too long and not being taken care of properly. In this situation, it is beneficial to consider using adaptive nail-cutting aids like the ones below. Doing so might keep you or your disabled loved one from having to track down someone else to do it.

The table top solution

PETA Easi-Grip Table Top Finger Nail Clipper

First, we have the PETA Easi-Grip Table Top Finger Nail Clipper. Having a nail clipper weighed down to the table top offers the perfect solution for those who have hand weakness, tremors, arthritis, or a multitude of other conditions. This table top solution provides stability that results in smoother, safer cuts. It can be used by one person, or the user may request the assistance of a caregiver to press down the handle for them. Even though the caregiver is doing the clipping, the PETA Easi-Grip Table Top Finger Nail Clipper gives the freedom to the user with a disability to position their hand exactly how they want, resulting in a more accurate cut.

Scissors that open on their own

PETA Easi-Grip Mini Scissors with Pointed Blade

Some people prefer using scissors to cut their fingernails. For these customers, we offer the PETA Easi-Grip Mini Scissors with Pointed Blade. These really lightweight scissors feature a loop handle that works much like a spring, forcing the scissors back open after each cut. This is a useful product for people who have trouble manipulating traditional scissors. People with limited thumb strength can often have trouble flexing their thumb outward to open the scissor handles. With the PETA Easi-Grip Mini Scissors with Pointed Blade, 50 percent of the work is done for them, so that they only have to perform the much easier hand function of squeezing.

Angled scissors for toenail clipping

PETA Easi-Grip Long Reach Toenail Cutter

Cutting toenails might be a bit trickier, but many find scissors like the PETA Easi-Grip Long Reach Toenail Cutter very useful for this purpose. These easy-to-grip scissors prevent the user from having to bend over as much, and the blade tip is angled sideways to better match the angle at which the foot is resting. No more awkward twisting or bending to get the perfect cut.

If you or a friend has trouble cutting their nails, the solution could be as simple yet brilliant as the products above.