Hello, Ed --
I can certainly relate to your question. Since a couple of surgeries in 2021 and the worsening of peripheral neuropathy and carpel tunnel, I am dependent on a cane for every step. Also, it is out of the realm of possibility or safety to cut a whole melon or squash, or to shuck an ear of sweet corn or cut up a whole chicken into 8 pieces. Up until last winter I was still managing to make soup pots of homemade soups to be divided and frozen in single servings. I knew when I was putting together my last recipe of that size! It requires some finagling of the budget, but I have found that for me, it is necessary to purchase many foods already cut up or peeled or into individual serving portions. I can still make soups but now they are of about 3 servings size.
The other major thing I have discovered is that I need a couple of plates and three or four bowls with nice, vertical sides - to make it easy to push food onto the utensil. Since I don't need a whole set of dishes, I have found these pieces at Home Goods.
And finally, to the extent possible I have replaced heavy glass baking/mixing dishes with options weighing much less. The exception to this would be anything that reheats or cooks food in the microwave. These instances would be for small servings so the size/weight would be minimal.
As for the squashes, I have one of my sons cut them in half when he visits, and the next day I can bake/prepare them for freezing in individual servings. There is no taking a couple of steps carrying food with two hands, so I use trivets or some kind of protectors on the counter to move hot things from the oven or off of the stove.
It seems everything is so time and energy consuming but if I can live independently, always with God's help, it is well worth it.
Blessings to you!