All you need to know about built-up eating utensils

Eating is a seemingly simple act we often take for granted, but for those who experience difficulties in feeding themselves because of certain conditions, such as age-related weakness, arthritis, tremors, and other disabilities, eating can seem like an insurmountable challenge.

• People who struggle with eating utensils often also develop negative side effects including weight loss, decreased appetite, self-isolation, and depression and thus need help with built-up utensils.
• They may eat less than they require to meet their daily needs for nutrition, or may no longer be able to eat foods they used to enjoy.
• The frustration and potential embarrassment can even stop some people from dining out and socializing with others, which can lead to low self-esteem, isolation, and depression.
• Thankfully, there are a wide variety of highly effective aids to help people eat independently despite challenges with standard utensils.

Regardless of the format, all adaptive eating utensils are designed to improve the user’s ability to manipulate the food onto the utensil, and then bring that food to the mouth.

They assist children and adults with a variety of special needs and disabilities including both tremors and manual or upper body weakness, and help them to better control the utensil and food, enhancing their confidence and sense of independence.

How to Choose the Best Adaptive Eating Utensil

The introduction of adaptive built-up eating utensils and other feeding aids can make a significant difference in the lives of those who struggle with utensil challenges. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most popular adaptive utensils and accessories and what you need to know to make the best choices for your loved ones.

Weighted Utensils and Built-up Handles

Utensils with a larger grip or handle make grasping easier, and are ideal for users with weakness, tremors, and decreased dexterity. The wider area puts less stress on the small joints of the hand, and doesn’t require as much grip strength.

• Weighted utensils aid in stabilizing tremors resulting from conditions like Parkinson’s disease, providing necessary proprioceptive feedback for the tremors symptomatic of these sorts of conditions.
• Larger, built-up handles are available to add to your existing forks, knives, and spoons, or can be purchased as pre-configured utensils.
• They come in a range of weights and sizes to better fulfill the individual requirements of each unique user.

Curved, Swivel and Bendable Utensils

Although they all work a little differently, adaptive curved, swiveling, and bendable utensils are ideal for those who have a variety of fine motor skill challenges and subsequently struggle with hand-to-mouth feeding.

These types of assistive eating utensils are designed to help users keep food on the fork or spoon even when turned at any angle.

Ideal for those with limited or no muscle control, and/or minimal manual range of motion, these types of utensils make it easier to deliver the food to the mouth without it spilling off the side.

They reduce any need for twisting force from the wrist, and often come in left or right-hand designations for correct support. They can be used by anyone from children to the elderly and are perfect for dining in any setting.

Cuffs, Holders, and Straps

Universal cuffs come in various sizes and configurations, and are often helpful for users with Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, those recovering from a stroke, and anyone else facing challenges with grasping and holding small objects. They can be great for people still looking to use their traditional utensils, or for those dining out who may not want to bring their own adaptive fork and spoon.

Conclusion

The use of adaptive built-up eating utensils helps a multitude of people overcome their challenges with this essential activity every day. Although there may be a bit of a learning curve at first with some of these devices, correctly-chosen assistive utensils can make a dramatic difference for users struggling with eating disabilities.