Adaptive kitchen equipment for stroke patients is great for patients recovering from a stroke. If you or someone you know has had a stroke, then you know how important it is to have the right equipment. Adaptive kitchen equipment can be helpful in preparing meals and eating.
Stroke victims and survivors can regain their independence with adaptive equipment. Try these tips for improving the quality of life for stroke victims and patients.
Eating utensils for stroke patients
Visually impaired people often encounter situations where they are unable to use any objects in their surroundings due to burn injuries or strokes. But fortunately, nowadays medical science has invented numerous devices which can help people with hand injuries or stroke patients regain their ability to handle things. One of them is the Interactive Adaptive Kitchen Workbench (AKW-5).
Strokes can be devastating for someone to experience. A stroke can leave an individual needing help with daily activities that used to come naturally. Living in a newly acquired disabled body, the victim of such a cruel and unexpected event may suffer frustration, anguish, and even depression. That’s exactly why occupational therapy and adaptive equipment exist. There is so much free help available to you if you’re willing to take it. The best way to start is to get yourself examined by a doctor that is experienced in stroke rehabilitation in your local area. Educate yourself on what happens after a stroke, what can be done about it, and how to prevent it from happening again.
Having a stroke puts you in an emotional and stressful place. Your life will never be the same again. Your body is dealing with new disabilities that it’s not used to. It needs time to adjust. You will have to adapt as well. You will have to spend more time cooking and eating, as opposed to simple tasks like putting on shoes and driving yourself around.
A stroke is a sudden stop of blood supply to the brain which can happen within minutes. There are two types of strokes; ischemic (caused by a blocked artery) and hemorrhagic (caused by a ruptured or strained artery). It can be caused by the narrow passage of blood through an artery due to a build-up of plaque. Blood that comes from the heart clots more easily than other body fluids, this is because it contains more platelets which clot quickly when they make contact with each other.
Adaptive kitchen equipment for stroke patients
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What is Adaptive Feeding Equipment?
Adaptive feeding equipment are modified utensils, accessories, glasses, and plates that make it easier for children and adults of all ages with different types of disabilities to eat independently and safely. Some examples of modifications include wider handles, straps, holders, non-slip fabrics, wider rims, weighted utensils, and more. When you live with a disability or chronic condition, you often have to come up with creative solutions to problems that many people don’t face in a day, and eating is no different.
There are many adaptive feeding equipment available that make it easier for you to control utensils and food which will enhance your confidence, independence, and eating experience. After all, we’re meant to enjoy our food so we may as well find devices that help us achieve just that.
This article contains a list of different eating utensils divided into the following categories: adaptive utensils and accessories, adaptive plates and bowls, and adaptive cups. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. Always speak with a healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist, dietitian, or physician to find out what equipment may be best for your needs.
Who Benefits from these Equipment?
There are many kinds of conditions where children and adults would benefit from using adaptive feeding equipment to give them more eating independence, such as those with upper body weakness, swallowing disorders, decreased dexterity, tremors, and so on. Folks with reduced hand dexterity may have difficulty firmly grasping onto typical utensils and would benefit from using a utensil with a strap or wider handle. People with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) may benefit from specialized cups.
Individuals with the following conditions may benefit from using adaptive eating tools:
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Cerebral Palsy
ALS
Stroke
Arthritis
Hand or arm amputation
Quadriplegia (ie. from a spinal cord injury)
Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
Muscular dystrophy
Developmental disabilities
Dysphagia
Roundup of Adaptive Feeding Equipment
Here is a comprehensive list of different types of devices to help you feed yourself independently. Keep in mind that this is not a full list.
Adaptive Utensils and Accessories
Non-weighted 4-Piece Utensil Set
Image: Amazon
This 4-piece set comes with two different sized spoons, a knife and fork. The handles are wide and made with a non-slip material making it easier to grasp and have control over. Wide handles also put less stress on the small joints in the hands and don’t require as much grip strength as a narrow utensil handle would. These utensils are non-weighted and were designed for folks with Parkinson’s, arthritis, or hand tremors.
Click here for another non-weighted 4-piece utensil set.
Weighted, Bendable 4-piece Utensil Set
Image: Amazon
This cutlery set is similar to the above version because they have wide handles and the non-slip grip, but the slight difference is that these are weighted utensils and they are also bendable. Weighted utensils help stabilize tremors from conditions such as Parkinson’s. The bendable feature of these utensils supports folks with fine motor skill difficulties (such as those with arthritis), poor muscle control, or limited range of motion as they help users keep food on the utensil and prevent food from spilling before it gets into your mouth.
Holder Strap with Hand Cuff and Pocket
Image: Amazon
This cuff wraps around a hand in order to securely hold utensils. It also works for pens, toothbrushes, and daily living tools. It is ideal for folks with a weak hand grip such as arthritis, stroke, or quadriplegia (for example, from a spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy).
Utensil Holder with Adjustable Strap
Image: Amazon
This utensil holder secures around your hand and can hold any sized utensil to support independent feeding. It is helpful for those with reduced upper extremity control, decreased range of motion of the wrist and hand, or weak hand grip.
Silicone Hand Mobility Aid
Image: Amazon
These silicone utensil holders have a similar function to the utensil holder above. They come in fun, bright colours and are suitable for kids or adults.
Adaptive Plates, Bowls, and Accessories
Non-slip Round Scoop Dish
Image: Amazon
This dish has a round, curved lip to help keep food on the plate and allows food to be trapped and easily pushed onto cutlery without spilling.
Scoop Bowl
Image: Amazon
Similar to the scoop dish, the curved lip in this scoop bowl prevents food from spilling and helps one push the food onto their spoon or fork. It also comes with a silicone mat to prevent slipping and create a sturdy base for the bowl. This was designed for those with difficulty self-feeding from reduced muscle control from conditions such as Parkinson’s stroke, or cerebral palsy. It is also ideal for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or elderly.
If you’re looking for a similar product, this is a scooper bowl with suction.
Plate Guard
Image: Amazon
This plate guard clips on to the edge of any plate to help food go onto one’s spoon or fork, reduces kitchen mess, and prevents food from spilling. It has a similar function to scoop bowls and dishes but you can bring it to any restaurant and you can clip it onto the same plates that everyone else at the table is using.
Adaptive Cups and Mugs
Spill Proof Adaptive Cup
Image: Amazon
This spill-free cup can be used for hot or cold liquids and you can drink from it while lying down because you don’t need to lift your head.
Grip Cup with Lid
Image: Amazon
This cup is easy to hold and it controls the flow of fluids in order to reduce the risk of aspiration which is ideal for those with dysphagia or for those who have a hard time sucking on a straw. You can also use it to drink while lying down.
Nosey Cup
Image: Amazon
Nosey cups have a cut out for the nose so you can drink without bending your neck or tilting your head. They are designed for those with reduced neck motion or who can’t tip their head or neck back.
Weighted Insulated Mug
Image: Amazon
The weighted feature helps prevent cups or mugs from tipping over as they will be more steady on the table. The added weight helps steady hands with a tremor, such as in Parkinson’s.
For more weighted mugs, click here and here.
Insulated Mug with Closed Handle
Image: Amazon
This insulated, spill-proof mug has a closed handle which is great for those with limited hand dexterity, weak grasps, and tremors (such as arthritis, stroke, CP, Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy, MS, or quadriplegia).
Mug with Two Closed Handles
Image: Amazon
This spill-resistant plastic mug has two closed handles so those with tremors, weak grasps, or poor hand dexterity can place their hands inside the handles and keep them tight around the mug.
We’d love to hear from you. What adaptive feeding equipment do you use? Is there anything we’re missing in this list? Leave a comment below. If you’re looking for delicious recipes to try using these equipment, check out my 20 Vegan Recipes with Pumpkin and Lentil Feta Salad Recipe!
The information in this blog post is meant for educational purposes only. To find out what type of adaptive feeding equipment would be right for you, please consult with a healthcare practitioner such as an Occupational Therapist or Registered Dietitian.
About Jackie
Jackie is a Toronto-based Registered Dietitian with a Masters of Health Science (MHSc) in Nutrition Communications, whose mission is to empower and support people with disabilities to manage their condition, prevent complications, and live active lifestyles through nutrition. Jackie runs a virtual private practice and consulting business and runs her blog which has simple recipes and health information for the disability community.
