Arthritis-Friendly Coffee Maker 

This project was inspired by my grandmother and her challenges with making coffee in the morning as someone with severe arthritis in her hands and arms.

The uncomfortable handle and elevated water reservoir of the drip coffee maker she currently uses are particularly challenging for her to use, as her arthritis makes it difficult for her to lift heavy objects. After carefully considering various designs, some of which involved removing the pot itself, I decided with my grandmother’s input that this design improved comfort while allowing her to continue performing her daily morning ritual the same way she has throughout her life.

I modified the original coffee maker design by adding a small slant to each side of the coffee maker, adjusting the handle to optimize comfort, and moving the water reservoir to the side of the machine rather than the top. Additionally, I designed the coffee maker to reflect the 50’s aesthetic my grandmother enjoys.