The Best Cooking and Dining Aids for Seniors

Key Takeaways

• Whether you have Parkinson’s, arthritis, or you’re recovering from a stroke, cooking and dining aids can offer you the perfect solution
• To reduce a significant amount of potential spillage, use scoop dishes, built-up utensils, non-slip anchor pads, and more
• Weighted utensils, two-handled mugs, and jar openers can help improve grip and stabilise shaky hands

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As you age, it may become more difficult to cook and eat independently. Whether you have arthritis, Parkinson’s, or are a stroke survivor, you might struggle to use eating utensils or mugs without spilling food and drinks.

Learn more about the utensils, dishes, cups, and other aids that can make your life easier!

• The Best Utensils for Seniors
• The Best Dishes and Plates for Seniors
• The Best Cups for Seniors
• The Best Cooking Aids for Seniors

The Best Utensils for Seniors

For people with arthritis…

Arthritis can make gripping objects difficult and even painful. Silverware with a larger handle is easier to hold and requires less grip strength.

While you could add foam tubing to your existing silverware, we recommend this set of build-up foam utensils. The utensils are lighter (only 2-4 oz.) which makes them easier to use for people with less strength. Plus, they have a large diameter handle. And they can even go in the dishwasher!

Homecraft Lightweight Foam-Handled Cutlery

For people with Parkinson’s disease…

Parkinson’s disease causes tremors that can make it difficult to keep the food on your fork or spoon. Weighted silverware helps reduce tremors, making it easier for food to make it into your mouth. There are a variety of choices for weighted utensils, including options that are easier to hold due to their built-up grip.

Sure Grip Bendable Cutlery

For people with range of motion difficulties...

If you have a condition that makes it difficult to turn your wrist when eating, it can be difficult for food to make it into your mouth. Angled cutlery allows you to continue eating independently.

These bendable utensils allow you to customise the angle of the fork or spoon, allowing them to be used by right or left handed users. The built-up handle also makes the utensils easier to hold for individuals with limited grip.

Sure Grip Bendable Utensils

For people with a poor grasp…

If you have weak or inhibited grasping skills, the right selection of silverware aids can make a big impact on your ability to feed yourself.

Utensils with larger handles are easier to hold while eating. If you need additional grip support, a utensil holder might be your perfect solution. It holds a piece of your existing silverware and has a strap that wraps around your hand for support.

For stroke survivors…

If your stroke has left you with hemiparesis (one side paralysis), it can make cutting your food difficult because you can’t hold the food down with a fork and cut with a knife at the same time.

This is why tools like the rocker knife exist! Whether you’re cutting up ingredients or your meal, the task can be accomplished using one hand and a rocking motion. Plus the knife can go in the dishwasher!

The Best Dishes and Plates for Seniors

Trying to reduce food spills? These dishes can help!

Plates with raised edges provide a surface to scoop against which prevents food from falling over the edge of the plate. You can add a plate guard to your existing plate or purchase a dishwasher- and microwave-safe plate with a built in edge.

Some foods are easier to eat in a dish. The Round Scoop Dish has a lowered edge for easy access and a higher edge to scoop against. Other scoop dishes are similar to plates with edges but have compartments that keep food separated on your plate.

The Best Cups for Seniors

Is arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, dysphagia, or another condition making it difficult to drink independently? These cups and mugs are easier to hold which helps prevent spills.

For people with arthritis…

If arthritis or limited grasp make it difficult to hold your regular cups, consider a cup with handles. The large handles make the cup easier to grip. It is the perfect cup for those who struggle to drink liquids without creating messes or spilling.

Homecraft Caring Mug

For people with Parkinson’s disease…

If you have tremors, a weighted cup can help reduce your tremors and make drinking easier. If you enjoy coffee, or want to keep your drinks hot or cold, consider a weighted insulated cup.

For people with dysphagia…

Dysphagia is a condition that causes difficulty in swallowing. A regulated drinking cup dispenses a small amount of liquid at one time, preventing you from drinking too quickly, and helping to minimise spills. A nosey cup has a cutout for your nose, so you can drink in a neutral position without tipping your head back. This provides an optimised drinking position that promotes safe swallowing.

The Rije Dysphagia Cup benefits from large ergonomic handles for a secure grip. It can be used with water or light nectar thickened liquids. An occupational therapist can help you decide which cup is the right fit!

For reducing spills…

If you really want to reduce spills, you need a Kennedy Cup. The lid screws on tightly to help stop spills and leaks!

The Best Cooking Aids for Seniors

For stroke survivors…

If a stroke has left you with hemiparesis, you can still continue cooking. There are a variety of tools available that can be used with one hand.

If you’re looking for versatility, consider the Etac Food Preparation System. The clamp can fix items such as tins or bowls whilst the stainless steel spikes keep vegetables still when peeling or cutting. Featuring non-slip rubber feet, the workstation improves safety in the kitchen.

The Spill-Not Jar & Bottle Opener can help you open stubborn jars. The device holds the jar or bottle, allowing you to open it using one hand.

For people with arthritis…

Arthritis can make gripping objects difficult or painful. This can make it difficult to hold and twist jar lids to open them. Dycem Jar Opener provides a good strong grip to make opening jars easier and to help make a good seal when closing.

Chopping, slicing, and cutting doesn’t need to be difficult for people with arthritis. Homecraft Reflex Carving Utensils have large built-up handles that make them easier to hold them during use.

For all seniors...

Non-slip products can make cooking easier for all seniors. Dycem AnchorPads can help you keep a mixing bowl, plate, or other item in place while working in the kitchen. The multi-functional opener for bottle caps, screw tops and ring pulls provides great leverage. The notch on the underside of the opener can be used to break the seal on twist off jar lids to make opening easier.

As you grow older, it’s still possible to cook and eat independently with the right adaptive tools.

If you want to keep exploring your options...

References

1. American Stroke Association. (2019). Hemiparesis. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2VrpE4C

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.