Assistive eating devices facts for kids
Assistive eating devices are tools that help people eat and drink more easily. They are used by individuals who find it hard to feed themselves. This can be due to a disability, or simply having trouble with small, precise movements. These tools range from simple items like special spoons to advanced robots.
The main goal of these devices is to help people be more independent. They can also make meal times easier for caregivers. Using these tools can boost a person's confidence. It also makes eating safer and more enjoyable.
Some devices are simple, like a regular straw or a cup. Others are very advanced. These high-tech tools help people with serious difficulties. For example, a powered device like Obi [1] can help someone eat without using their hands. These devices are very helpful for those with weak muscles or tremors.
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What are Adaptive Plates and Bowls?
This section is about special plates and bowls. They are designed to make eating easier. These items prevent food from spilling or sliding off. They also stay put on the table.
Some devices are simple clip-on guards. These attach to any regular plate. They create a lip that stops food from being pushed off. Other plates have this lip built right in.
To keep dinnerware from sliding, mats or grip bottoms are used. If someone has tremors, suction bases are very helpful. These special bowls and plates have a suction base. This base sticks to the table. It stops the dinnerware from moving around.
How Do Assistive Utensils Help?
Forks, knives, and spoons can be changed to help people eat. Some individuals struggle with tremors. Others find it hard to open and close their hand. Lifting the arm to eat can also be difficult.
Special utensils can solve these problems. Just like weighted cups, weighted utensils can reduce tremors. You can buy these special utensils. Or, you can add attachments to your current ones.
These attachments can be weighted sleeves. They can also be large or made of foam. This makes them easier to grip. It also stops the utensil from falling. Clips and straps can also be used. These help if a person cannot hold the handle at all.
Manual Feeding Devices
Manual feeding devices help people feed themselves. They are for those with tremors. They also help if someone lacks arm and hand control. These devices help scoop food and bring it to the mouth.
Some devices simply keep the user's arm steady. An example is the Stable Slide [2]. Other devices have a weighted arm. This helps to reduce unwanted movements.
More advanced devices, like Obi [3], let the user choose their food. They can also control how fast they eat. These devices can help with many different challenges. Some devices need the user to move their arm a little. Others are fully controlled by the machine. They use switches to pick up and deliver food.
Powered Feeding Devices
Powered feeding devices allow people to eat independently. These are for individuals who cannot use other eating aids. They usually run on a rechargeable battery. This makes them easy to carry.
Users control these devices with special switches. These switches activate different features. There are only a few powered feeding devices available worldwide. Their designs and how they work can be very different.
Some devices have a simple plate or bowl. Others have divided dishes. These keep different foods separate. Many early designs were just mechanical. Recently, a new robotic device called Obi [4] came out. It is very advanced and has made a big difference.
Assistive Cups and Mugs
Cups and mugs can also be adapted. This helps with daily drinking. The most common assistive drinking tool is the straw. It is cheap and lets the user drink without lifting the cup.
The same ideas for adaptive dinnerware apply to cups. Non-slip bases are common. They stop cups from sliding on the table. Cup holders prevent cups from tipping over.
If a cup does tip, no-spill lids can be used. Some cups come with lids. Other lids can fit many different cups and mugs. Weighted mugs are also common for people with tremors. For those with limited arm or hand use, hands-free drinking products are also available.
