Assistive devices: Eating and drinking aids

Assistive dining aids can improve your dining experience, reduce eating challenges and help increase your meal intake. If you have tremors, decreased coordination, difficulty swallowing, decreased strength, or it is hard to move your head or arms, you may benefit from one of these aids. Here are some common aids that can increase your independence and make things easier. You could also consider reaching out to a speech or occupational therapist for an assessment and recommendations.

Plateware Aids

• Scoop dish: A plate with a higher edge that is designed to help keep food on the plate and allows food to be easily scooped without spilling. The base is also non-slip to keep the plate in place.
• Plate guard: Similar in function to a scoop dish, but can be added to any of your existing plates.
• Scoop bowl: Similar to the scoop dish, the curved lip prevents food from spilling and aids in scooping. It also has a suction base that keeps the bowl in place, providing greater stability.
• Non-slip mats: Helpful in stabilizing the plate or bowl while being used. These can assist in decreasing spillage and frustration.

Utensil Aids

• EazyHold universal grip cuff: Can be placed around the hand and hold utensils such as a knife or fork. It's also easy to wash.
• Maroon spoon: Has a shallow spoon depth that allows food to slide off easily if you have poor lip closure or tongue thrust.
• Weighted utensils: Added cutlery weight can help steady movements and reduce spillage with tremors.
• S-up spoon: A hollowed out spoon that reduces spillage of liquids if you have tremors.
• Built up utensils or foam tubing: You can buy built up utensils or use those you already own by adding foam tubing. Thick handles can make holding a utensil easier if you have a weak grasp.
• Off set spoon or bendable built up fork/spoon: The shaft of the utensil can be angled towards you which enables you to bring the utensil directly to your mouth without having to change the angle of the utensil or your body.
• Vertical handle utensil: Slips onto the palm of the hand if you are unable to grasp a utensil.

Drinking Aids

• Nosey cup: Has a space cut out of it for your nose. If you are limited in your ability to tilt your head back or are unable to use a straw this can increase your independence and safety with swallowing.
• Recessed lid cup: Designed with two handles and a recessed lid that can improve lip closure and can be used with a straw. Using this design can reduce the need for a ‘sippy’ cup.
• Covered cup with spout or adult sippy cup: 2-handled spill resistant cup with a spout to aid drinking.
• Extra long drinking straw: Limits the mobility needed for you to reach for a cup and bring to your mouth. Can rest on a surface and require little movement to access. It does take a bit more effort to move liquids through a longer straw though so it may not be a great option if you fatigue easily.
• Rika safe hold straw clip: Holds a straw in position for easier drinking.
• Kennedy spill proof adaptive cup: Lightweight spill proof drinking cup used with a straw.
• Provale cup: Limited flow cup delivering small sips to reduce risk of  inhaling fluids. May be recommended by a speech therapist if you have difficulty swallowing.
• Giraffe bottle: A hands free drinking system with a flexible drinking tube that holds in place requiring no arm movement to access. It can be mounted almost anywhere.
• Cup holder: With attachment for bed rail, walking frame or wheelchair for improved access.
• Weighted cup: Added weight steadies a hand with a tremor and helps prevent tipping.