Eating and Drinking Assistive Products

Intro[edit|edit source]

个人处理物理损伤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[edit|edit source]

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

1. 处理角度:角度可以调整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.^[1]A cuff also has other benefits besides eating and drinking including, holding a pencil or a hair brush.^[2]

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

Modified bowls and plates[edit|edit source]

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^[1][2]
2. non-slip and heavy
   • both features allow for more stability and less likely to tip over^[1]

These videos by the World Health Organization demonstrates modified plates:

Modified cups[edit|edit source]

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^[1]

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

Use of Adaptive Equipment[edit|edit source]

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^[1]
  

Resources:[edit|edit source]

• 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

References[edit|edit source]