How can assistive aids help with eating and drinking?

Home care aids can help make eating healthy meals easier and feeding someone more dignified.

Many conditions can affect an individuals ability to eat and drink adequate amounts. Arthritis and Parkinson's disease can make holding and using utensils difficult.

Stroke can cause problems with swallowing and adjusting to using a non-dominate hand.

Try these handy home care aids to make meal times easier:

•  Special grip cutlery - help with grasping utensils.
•  Angled utensils - assist with picking up food off a plate for people with restrictive movement.
•  Plate guards - help keep food on a plate and assist with scooping food onto utensils.
•  Two-handled mugs - help with gripping a cup.
•  Non-slip plates - prevents plate from sliding.
•  Clothing protectors - help with feeding.
•  Reachers - assist with picking up hard to reach objects. 

You can buy home care aids and equipment from pharmacies, medical supply stores and rehabilitation shops. Ask an occupational therapist for advice before purchasing home care aids.