The elderly and people with certain disabilities often require dining and food preparation aids to make their everyday lives easier. These aids can enable people who have certain conditions to live more independently.

These aids can also help people with disabilities to be able to prepare their own meals without having to rely on the support of a carer. In addition, dining aids help elderly and disabled people to consume meals and drinks without too much difficulty and without the support of carers.

It’s Possible To Get Certain Dining Aids Supplied Under The NDIS 

If you’re an NDIS participant and you have a disability that restricts you from eating on your own or preparing meals without the assistance of a carer, certain dining or food preparation aids may be supplied under the scheme.

For example, although many common household items are not covered by the scheme, adaptive devices that allow you to complete a task that you would not be able to complete without the device due to your disability, may well be covered under the scheme.

Dining and food preparation aids fall under the scheme’s Assistive Technology guidelines and aids will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by professionals that work with you on your NDIS plan.

Here’s a selection of dining aids that are regarded as being very useful when it comes to eating meals or drinking liquids.

Dysphagia Cups

People who have dysphagia have difficulty swallowing. These dysphagia cups, like the Provale Dysphagia Cup, are designed to only deliver a measured amount of liquid directly into the mouth.

This effectively stops too much liquid from being dispensed at one time and, as a result, escaping at the lips or causing problems swallowing. The cups also have two handles which offer the user more control. The handles are supplied separately and can be locked into place on the cup, depending on the needs of the elderly or disabled person.

Easy-Grip Cutlery

The Queens Cutlery range offers a range of utensils that make eating easier and more pleasurable. The handles are made from built-up plastic and are cylindrical in order to assist people who have trouble gripping ordinary cutlery. 

In addition, some of the pieces have a curved utensil end that can be useful for people who don’t have the ability to turn their arms or hands easily in order to get the food into their mouth. These are available for both right and left-handed people.

Plates For One-Handed Eating

When people only have the use of one hand for eating, it can be extremely difficult to scoop food up off a plate without it spilling over the side. This can be extremely frustrating for the person who may lose more food onto the floor than what they’re able to consume.

Plates that are designed for one-handed use such as the Manoy Plate, eliminate this problem. Essentially, the plate has a sloping base and a high side at the opposite end. This allows the user to easily scoop up the food without it going over the edge of the plate.

Food Preparation Aids

Cooking and preparing food is an enjoyable activity for many people. Being disabled or elderly can present challenges, but with the right aids these can often be overcome. 

Ideal for those who have difficulty in gripping, or only have the use of one hand, a Food Preparation System can be essential. It allows various foods to be cut, peeled and even has a clamp which is useful for opening jars. Equally important for a disabled or elderly person using a food preparation system is that it won’t slip or slide on a kitchen surface whilst being used – suction cups underneath the food preparation system can prevent this. 

Boiling and pouring from a kettle can be a task that some disabled or elderly people find difficult or even dangerous with restricted mobility. Using a product like the Uccello Kettle can give people the confidence and ability to boil and pour a kettle safely.

In Summary

Dining and food preparation aids are essential for elderly and disabled people so that they can be more independent and don’t have to rely on the support of a carer every time they want to have a meal or a drink.

Not only does this provide more independence but it also provides a degree of dignity and enjoyment in one of life’s most simple pleasures – delicious food!

Photo by Artem Podrez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-cooking-in-the-kitchen-7495766/