For people with fine motor impairment or movement control difficulties, using standard cutlery and crockery to both prepare food and eat independently can be challenging. A range of commercially available adapted cutlery is available that includes:
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cutlery with built up or contoured handles
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cutlery with angled heads to enable use with a gross grip or cuff hold for those with reduced fine motor control
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cutlery with angled or arched handles
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spoons with a specialised coating to minimise damage to lips and teeth when eating from either; sensitivity to temperature, biting reflex or uncontrolled hand movements
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utensils such as peelers and stirring spoons with built up handles for easier gripping
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cutlery with adjustable swiveling heads for those with limited hand function
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left and right handed utensils and cutlery
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cutlery with hand straps to assist with holding
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A range of commercially available adapted crockery is available that includes:
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cups and mugs with alternative grips and shapes to cater for people with differing capabilities i.e. one and two handled mugs
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cups or mugs that are sealed with lids (with or without straw hole or spout) for people unable to hold cups steady
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insulated cups or mugs for people with temperature sensitivity
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food guards which are placed external to a plate to enable food to be eaten one handed with the guard used to push food against
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plates and bowls with weighted bases
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plates and bowls with inbuilt raised sides to enable scooping against
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insulated bowls and plates for those sensitive to temperature or those that eat slowly and need insulation to keep food warm.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
For people working in kitchen or meal preparation environments with disabilities affecting their capacity to grip handles on cutlery and utensils, or to work two handed; adapted crockery and cutlery may be of assistance in increasing task independence, endurance and productivity (Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008).
Relevant Links:
References:
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Eating & Drinking: Plates & Bowls, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 16 April 2008, <http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=31&MinC=21>.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Eating & Drinking: Plate Guards, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 16 April 2008, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=31&MinC=22.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Eating & Drinking: Spoons, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 16 April 2008, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=31&MinC=10.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Eating & Drinking: Forks & Multi-Purpose Cutlery, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 16 April 2008, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=31&MinC=11.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Eating & Drinking: Cutlery Handle Adaptations & Orthoses, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 16 April 2008, <http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=31&MinC=15 .
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Eating & Drinking: Cups & Mugs, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 16 April 2008, <http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=31&MinC=30>.