Eating and Drinking Assistive Products

Original Editor - Robin Tacchetti Top Contributors - {Special:Contributors/Eating and Drinking Assistive Products}}

Intro

Individuals dealing with physical impairments may have difficult with self-feeding. There are a number of assistive products within the self-feeding category ranging from modified cups, cutlery and dinnerware. These products can benefit the user to becoming more independent and less burden on the caregiver.

Cutlery

Individuals with physical disabilities may find it difficult to hold cutlery. Modified cutlery can assist these users in two ways:

1. handle angle: the angle can be adjusted so the wrist does not have to turn making it easier to bring food to the mouth
2. handle thickness: a thicker handler can be easier to hold
3. weight:
   1. heavier assists with unsteady or uncoordinated arm
   2. lighter uses less effort

Another option to make it easier to hold cutlery is by adding a cuff or strap around the users hand. They may also be used to hold drinks.A cuff also has other benefits besides eating and drinking including, holding a pencil or a hair brush.

See the videos below by the World Health Organization for examples of modified cutlery:

Modified bowls and plates

Modifications in shapes and sizes to bowls and plates can make it easier for individuals who have issues with eating. The following are a sample list of ways to adapt bowls and plates:

1. high sides:
   • high sides can be clipped on to existing plate or already be built in
   • allows the user to push food into their cutlery without it falling off the plate
   • useful for people with only use of one hand or poor coordination
2. non-slip and heavy
   • both features allow for more stability and less likely to tip over

These videos by the World Health Organization demonstrates modified plates:

Modified cups

Cups can be modified by size and shape to assist with varying needs of the individual. Below is a sampling of assistive cups:

1. cups with two handles
   • ability to bring the cup to the mouth increases with two hand use
   • affords more stability with the use of two hands
2. cut-away cups
   • the cut-away section around the nose prevents the user from tilting their head back to drink
3. cups with lids
   • prevent spilling
   • controls flow from cup to mouth
   • use with a straw allows controlled flow

These videos by the World Health Organization demonstrates modified drinking cups:

Use of Adaptive Equipment

When teaching individuals on how to use adaptive eating and drinking products, the following instructions are helpful for the user:

• have aids, drink and food within reach
• use their stronger hand
• use a non-slippery surface to keep bowls and plates from moving
• sit in a supported chair with feet on a firm surface
• have elbows on a firm surface
  

Resources:

• Allison Sullivan OT, DOT O, Helfrich C. Self-Feeding With the Adult Population: Back to Basics
• The OT Toolbox: Adaptive Equipment for Eating
• Shower and Toilet Chairs
• Dressing Aids
• Self-Care Assistive Technologies