Assessing your needs

If you have not had an opportunity to discuss your eating and drinking difficulties with a professional, you are strongly advised to seek an assessment of your situation.

Speech and language therapists are experts in the mechanics of eating, drinking and swallowing. They will be able to advise you if you experience physical difficulty in these actions. Your GP can refer you to your local speech and language therapy service, or you may be able to refer yourself.

Occupational therapists can advise on eating and drinking techniques and equipment to overcome practical difficulties. If you are at home and not currently receiving hospital treatment, you will need to contact the local authority occupational therapy service for adults. You can usually do this by telephone. You may be asked to describe your difficulties over the phone so that social services can direct you to the most appropriate service or professional.

If you are struggling with caring for yourself, which includes getting enough to eat and drink, consider asking for a health and social care needs assessment. Since the Care Act 2014 came into power in April 2015, anyone who appears to need care and support can request an assessment from their local council, irrespective of their income or savings. The Act also places a statutory duty on local authorities to assist their residents to prevent a deterioration in their health and well-being. The 'prevention' strategies of many local authorities includes the early provision of equipment and services to help prevent, delay or reduce the development of needs for care and support.

The assessment aims to identify any difficulties you may be having in caring for yourself, and how this impacts upon your well-being. If you have someone who helps you, they can have a carers' assessment to see if they also need support to continue in their caring role.

Provision of eating and drinking equipment

You may be provided with equipment and services as a preventative measure, before a needs assessment is done. If, on assessment, your needs are high enough to qualify for help from the local authority, they will then look at your income and savings to see whether you will need to pay towards any future services you receive. These services might include disability equipment including alarms or telecare, adaptations to your home, help from a carer, or the delivery of meals or residential care.

If you are provided with direct payments or a personal budget from the local authority, you can pay for equipment and other one-off purchases that have been identified as needed in your health and social care assessment.

In many areas a range of the simple aids to daily living may be available on prescription, issued by the assessor. If you receive a prescription for equipment you can take it to a local accredited retailer, which may be a local pharmacy, who will provide you with the item. You can pay extra for an alternative item, so long as it does what the specific item prescribed would do. Your choice may offer extra features, or perhaps you prefer its appearance.

If your needs are at a lower level, the local authority must still provide you with information and advice about alternative services or resources which could help you.

Impartial advice

If you decide to buy equipment privately it is best to try and compare the different ranges first. You may have an equipment demonstration centre near you where you can visit to view and try out different equipment. You will receive impartial advice to help choose appropriately. 

Private purchase

A number of high street and web-based retailers now stock a range of eating a drinking equipment. Be cautious of sales people who try to persuade you to buy equipment that may not meet your needs fully or is over-priced. If you know and understand the difficulties that you have and the reasons for them, you will be more able to select the right equipment to meet your needs. Look for retailers who are members of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), which means that they adhere to the organisation’s code of practice. You can search the BHTA website for local retailers.

When you are looking at equipment, consider practicalities such as whether the cutlery/crockery can be washed in a dishwasher, whether dishes are suitable for the microwave and whether they are also suitable for a carer to handle, put together, keep clean, etc.

Identifying your difficulties

General advice

Eating and drinking both involve many different decisions, actions and movements. They are complex activities and can be disrupted in many ways. For anyone, whether able bodied or not, it is best to be sitting upright in a well-supported position. You should be sat close to the table or tray, which should be roughly at the height of your elbow. This means that the table can be used to support your forearms if required.

If the core of your body is stable, upright and well aligned, you are more likely to have better control and movement of the rest of your body. Ideally you want to be seated with your feet on the floor (or foot plates of a wheelchair, or a foot rest), with your ankles, knees and hips at right angles. Your neck should be in line with your body, with your chin slightly tucked in.

Consider the environment that you are eating in. Try to eat in a well-lit area which is clear of clutter and hazards. Ensure floor surfaces are non-slip, easy to mobilise safely on, but also easy to keep clean. Ensure that the chair being used is a suitable height, that it offers adequate support and stability, but again, is easy to keep clean, if required.

Your sight

If your sight is impaired or deteriorating there are some practical things you can do to help. Often it is about working with your family and friends, organising yourself and your food and drink, so that there are less ‘unknowns’.

If you have some sight, you can use highly coloured or contrasting cutlery and dishes, but avoid using busy patterns in tablecloths or place mats. Try to arrange the food on the plate in the same way each meal time. You can use a ‘clock face’ system. This means that a particular food type is always in the same place on the plate. For example, potatoes are always at 3 o’clock.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has some useful information on their website.

Pain and stiffness, or muscle weakness, in your shoulders and neck

If you have pain or stiffness in your neck, perhaps through arthritis, you may not be able to tilt your head forwards or backwards. If you have muscle weakness for a neurological reason, you may find holding your head upright, or tilting it, more difficult. If you find it difficult to maintain your head in an upright position, try using a head rest, a rolled-up towel or a small cushion as a support.

Look for cups and cutlery which require less movement of the head to enable you to eat and drink. Straws can also be useful.

Your hand grip

If you find it difficult to grip things, perhaps due to pain or weakness, try looking for cutlery that has a larger handle, without making it too heavy. There are some that are ergonomically shaped, some are padded, some can be moulded to fit your specific grip. Try them out to see which you find most helpful.

Look for mugs or cups with two handles and which aren’t too heavy. There are both cutlery and cups/mugs available with a strap which goes across the back of your hand for additional grip, if required.

Your hand control

Some people experience an uncontrollable tremor or tremble in parts of their body. This is called an essential tremor. It is often worse when you are concentrating on trying to do a certain activity. There is not always a known cause.

Sometimes using heavier cutlery and cups/mugs can help to reduce, or ‘dampen’, a tremor in the hands. Try using a two-handled cup, or one with a lid, like a travel mug. There are cups with a spouted lid which can prevent spillage, or you might find it easier to use a straw. An over-full cup will be difficult to manage. Filling to three-quarters depth may be more practical.

There are plates and bowls available with raised rims or inbuilt sections. This can make it easier to scoop up food. Alternatively you can use a plate guard which clips onto your plate of choice. Using a dish with a non-slip base, or using a non-slip mat can help to keep the dish still.

Loss of sensation in your hands

In addition to having difficulty maintaining a continuous and strong grip on the cup, a person with reduced sensation in their hands may need to observe more closely what they are doing, because automatic feedback from receptors in their hands is unreliable. Larger grips on cutlery and cups may be helpful. Also consider the use of insulated mugs.

The use of one hand only

Using cutlery is usually a two handed task - the food is secured by a fork in one hand, whilst the other hand uses a knife to cut the food. There are some cutlery designs available that combine functions. For example, a fork with a cutting edge. There are also knives which you rock across the food to cut it up. Using a dish with a raised rim, or a clip-on plate guard, can help if a scooping motion is used to pick up food. 

Adapted cutlery and crockery are described in more detail later in this factsheet.

Difficulty controlling the amount of liquid transferred to your mouth

This may be because there is a difficulty controlling the angle that the cup is tipped at, resulting in too much liquid being dispensed; or by weakness of the muscles of the lips and mouth, so that an effective 'channel' (or seal around a spout) is not produced when the cup is brought to the lips. Look at using cups with larger spouts, or straws with one-way valves if the individual is able to suck.

Your swallowing

If you have problems with swallowing, but have never seen a speech and language therapist, you are strongly advised to do so.

If you have a problem between meals with swallowing saliva, for example, it may be appropriate to use an electronic reminder that bleeps at preset intervals to remind you to swallow. Swallow reminders may be suitable if you drink slowly, have reduced sensation in the lips, or reduced muscle control in your mouth and throat, but education and/or supervision may be needed when using this product.

Your cognitive abilities

People with dementia often experience difficulties with eating and drinking, although everyone will be different.

Where possible, keep meal times as routine and familiar as possible. Try to avoid too many distractions. If eating and drinking become slow and laborious, replace full meals with shorter, more frequent snacks. You can still eat a full range of food, but in smaller amounts. You might find insulated cups, dishes or trays useful to keep food and drinks warm.

A person may display a poor appetite, but underlying this might be depression, difficulty communicating, pain and/or tiredness. In later stages of dementia a person may not recognise food and drink. Concentration may also be poor. Keeping eating times regular, simple, calm and familiar might help.

Difficulties with initiating or carrying out movement may occur in later stages. This might affect all actions required to get food to the mouth and then to eat it. Verbal prompting and physical assistance may be needed. Finger foods or less ‘messy’ foods might help. As dementia progresses, swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) become more common. If a person has difficulty chewing and swallowing, you are advised to seek an appointment with a speech and language therapist. Having softer foods might help.

The Alzheimer’s Society has some useful and practical advice about eating and drinking on their website. 

Protecting your clothing – bibs and aprons

If you find that eating and drinking causes spillage onto your clothes, you may want to consider wearing an apron or bib. There is a large range of designs, some more discreet than others. They are available in disposable plastic or washable/wipeable materials. Consider what is the best fastening system for you, whether the bib/apron pulls over the head, is tied, has a Velcro hook and loop system, a popper, or some other way of fixing.

If you find the idea of wearing a bib difficult, you might like to consider wearing a standard cooking apron, although they are not generally waterproof and will need washing.

A tee-shirt bib tucks into the neck of a shirt/blouse, so looks like a tee shirt worn underneath. This would be most useful to a person who loses fluids from their mouth. It does not protect the clothes or lap from food spillages.

Bandana bibs are designed to look more like a scarf or bandana around the neck. The smaller ones will catch saliva or liquids lost from the mouth, but will be less useful for protecting clothes from food spillage. There are larger designs that would be more protective.

The most common bibs are flat panels which fit over the head or fix around the neck. They generally cover the whole of the front. Some are long enough to protect the lap when seated. They are wipe clean with a polyester surface or machine washable. Some bibs have an upturned bottom edge designed to catch crumbs and spills.

Disposable bibs and aprons are available to bulk buy. Made from thin plastic, they slip over the neck, or tie at the neck and behind the back. Some have small self-adhesive patches. If laundry is difficult, disposable bibs/aprons can be helpful.

Drinking equipment

Cups with enlarged handles

These allow you to use your whole hand to grasp the handle, or you can put your fingers through the handle so that a tight grip is not necessary. When taking a hot drink, a cup made of a material that does not conduct heat as effectively (i.e. plastic rather than china), may be safer to handle if using this method.

Cups with two handles

These allow the weight of the cup to be distributed evenly between two hands. The size and shape of the handles are important in enabling you to get a comfortable grip. Handles are often large to allow the use of all the fingers to grip the handle.

Cups with moulded or mouldable handles

These give a more personalised grip, fitting the shape of your hand. Some cups are designed for comfort in mind, others have bendable handles and are modular so that they can be tailored to suit individual requirements. A personalised grip can be added to an existing cup using a mouldable resin.

Spill resistant cups and mugs

Cups and mugs of this style have features such as lids or a spill resistant insert, which may help prevent spillage.

Heavy or weighted cups

These may help to reduce tremor as they, by their heavier weight, require more effort to lift, thus stabilising the transfer of the cup or mug. If the tremor is only slight it may be sufficient to use a heavier china cup or mug.

Cups with lids and spouts

A cup with a lid can be used to prevent the contents spilling. Some cups have 'commuter' lids - a flat lid with a drinking hole which is fairly unobtrusive. Other cups have spouts, either perforated or with a drinking hole at the end. Some drinking holes are wide enough to accommodate a straw.

Cups with large spouts

A longer, wider spout will be easier for the user to form an effective seal around.

Water bottles with spouts

Water bottles with spouts are commonly available, often associated with sports. The spouts come in a range of designs which means you may have to try a number before you find one that works best for you.

Anti-tremor device within the cup

Some cups and mugs have anti tremor inserts designed to reduce the risk of spilling if the cup is shaken.

Angled or cut-out cups

Cups with angled handles and/or a top edge that slopes away front to back requires less elevation of the shoulders to use.

Insulated cups

An insulated cup will enable the drinker to rest their second hand on the base of the cup to assist and steady the manoeuvre of raising the cup to the mouth.

Straws

A long straw can be used to completely avoid having to lift a cup or a mug. Some mugs come with their own lids with straws, and straw holder are available to make sure the straw stays in the right position.

Straws with integral one-way valves are also commonly available, meaning less effort is required.

Hydration packs

If you like to drink fluids throughout the day, you may find a runner’s backpack (hydration pack), a useful way of managing this. This has a water bladder in a slim pack which is carried close to your back. It has an integral straw which is sited close to the mouth. Some people find the water bladders and straws difficult to keep clean.

Brightly coloured cups

A cup or mug can be selected for its brightness or colour contrast from the table/environment it is to be used in. This will make it more easily identifiable from it's surroundings for a person with sight loss. When filling a cup, if the colour of the cup contrasts with the colour of the liquid, the liquid level will be easier to see.

Patterned drinking glasses

A glass with a pattern on, rather than one that is completely transparent, will be easier to locate.

Vacuum cups

These cups have a valve in the lid which is operated by finger pressure, controlling the flow of liquid.

Narrow-top cups

This style of cup will help to reduce the amount of heat lost to the air directly above the drink, but might be more difficult to drink from.

Drinking systems

People who have minimal hand and arm movement, or who have difficulty controlling the amount of fluid drawn up into their mouths, may be very dependent on a carer for help, with the consequence that they may no longer feel they are in control of when they can have a drink.

Special systems are available that give back a degree of independence by delivering the drink to the drinker via a straw that incorporates a non-return valve and/or a pump. All systems are free standing on a table top and do not need to be lifted or tilted in any way by the user. These systems should only be obtained after assessment and recommendation by a speech and language therapist as they are deemed to have potential for choking or causing discomfort for an untrained user.

Cutlery

Large grip cutlery

A larger grip means that the user's fingers do not need to be wrapped tightly around the cutlery handle for a stable and secure hold, and will be particularly helpful for someone with painful hands.

Cutlery with moulded handles

This style of cutlery has handles that are shaped to fit the contours of the hand giving a more comfortable, secure grip. Some moulded handles have a hilt to prevent the hand slipping forwards towards the cutlery head.

Cutlery that incorporates a hand strap

If maintaining a grip on the handle is a problem, a hand strap with a slot to hold the handle of the cutlery running over the back of the diner's hand will retain the cutlery in the hand.

Weighted cutlery

Heavier cutlery may be particularly helpful to people with tremor as the extra weight can suppress unwanted movement. A weighted wrist cuff may produce the same effect.

Angled and swivel cutlery

This cutlery either comes with a fixed angle on the cutlery head or has a swivel joint between the head of the fork or spoon and the handle, which helps the head to stay horizontal despite uncontrolled movement.

Non-metallic or plastic coated cutlery

Spoons made of plastic, or with a plastic coated head, may prevent damage to the teeth if the diner has a strong bite reflex or poor control when bringing the spoon up to the mouth.

Deep bowl spoons

Food may be retained better on the spoon if the bowl of the spoon is deep, although it may be more difficult to take food from the spoon. Some deep bowl spoons are specially shaped to make sipping from them easier.

Combination cutlery

This combines the features of two or more pieces of cutlery so that the user does not need to swap from a fork to a knife, for example, whilst eating. The cutlery may combine a knife edge and a fork; a spoon and a fork; or all three implements. Care should be taken if the cutlery to be put in the mouth incorporates a knife edge, because of the obvious risk of a cutting injury.

Knives with rocker blades

These knives cut food using a rocking action rather than the conventional way of drawing the knife forwards and backwards over the food (which requires a fork to stabilise the food). Some versions have horizontal handles, others have vertical handle

Angled cutlery

This style of cutlery has the head positioned at an angle to the handle so that less movement is required to bring the fork or spoon up to the mouth. Some versions are modular, some are set at a pre-fixed angle, others are mouldable. Available for right and left handed use.

Lightweight cutlery

Cutlery made of polypropylene or other lightweight material, may ease the effort of eating.

Plates, bowls and trays

Plate guards

A plate guard, or plate surround, clips onto the edge of your chosen plate. They prevent food spillage and give you an edge against which to scoop up your food, if required. They are usually made of white or transparent plastic, although bright colours are also available. They may also be made of stainless steel.

Plates and bowls with high rims

These items incorporate a high rim in part or completely around their perimeter, to give a barrier that prevents food falling off the plate, and to give an edge to push food up against when loading a spoon or fork. Some versions are made of plastic, others are ceramic.

Plates and bowls with sloping bases

These function in a similar way to a raised edge. The base of the plate or bowl slopes away to one side, making it easier to scoop up food.

Partitioned bowls and plates

These bowls and plates have compartments to separate food and which also provide walls to push food against to help pick it up. They may be preferred by users with sight loss to identify where different foods are placed on the plate.

Heavy crockery

Some ceramic plates are heavy and therefore more likely to stay in one position

Unbreakable crockery

Unbreakable crockery may be more practical if breakages are common place, although many items are made of lightweight materials such as plastic, and are therefore more easily knocked out of position.

Anti-slip plates and bowls

These have an anti-slip or suction base to help maintain position on the table.

Slip-resistant mats

If the plate slides on the table surface, a slip-resistant mat can be placed between the plate and the table.

Insulated bowls

These bowls may have a double-skinned wall to help retain heat. Others have a reservoir to take hot water to keep the plate warm.

Insulated trays

These trays have double walls and a recessed upper surface to take crockery.

Heated trays and mats

These incorporate a low voltage heating element to keep the food warm.

Eating systems

People who have very little hand and arm movement, or who have poor control over their muscles, may be very dependent on a carer for feeding. There are systems available that give back a degree of independence to the disabled person, although if they are at risk of choking, someone should always be nearby. Equipment of this type is often expensive and an assessment may well be necessary to determine which system best meets individual needs. Equipment that may be helpful includes:

Mobile arm supports
These support the user's forearm in a trough-shaped device that tilts to bring the hand down and upwards. Some are also mounted on a swivel that glides in the horizontal plane, and powered versions will raise and lower the whole device.

Eating systems
These systems deliver food to the diner's mouth via, for example, a rotating plate and a mechanical or electronically controlled spoon. Some systems are powered, others are hand or foot operated.

Specialist advice on overcoming complex feeding difficulties is available from the Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills (ARCOS).