Adaptive eating utensils for rheumatoid arthritis

Adaptive eating utensils for rheumatoid arthritis

People with advanced rheumatoid arthritis often suffer from deformities in their upper body joints that make it difficult for them to perform basic tasks of daily living. Eating is one of those basic tasks that can be affected by arthritic deformities of the upper body. If you're one of these people, mealtimes can already be a frustrating time of day for you. Here are some helpful tips to increase your independence during mealtimes.

First, move your arms and hands and assess what movements you can do. You may no longer be able to wrap your fingers around a spoon handle, but you may be able to pinch it between your thumb and the side of your hand. Can you move your shoulder? Can you bend your elbow? Can you rotate your forearm so that your palm is facing the ceiling? Move each joint and see what kind of movement you have or don't have. This will help you determine how you should adjust your place settings during meals.

Next, eat a meal and pay attention to what the main eating problems are. Decide whether the problem that's really bothering you is easy to fix. Maybe the whole problem is that your food is sliding off your plate and you can't stop it. Maybe you can't cut meat. Maybe you can get the food onto your spoon or fork, but you can't turn your wrist enough to bring it to your mouth without spilling it. These are just examples of problems that may occur. You can have these or others or combinations. Try to figure out what is causing the problem and how easy it is to fix. It may be a good idea to have someone else help you with this, as other eyes may see a problem with a plate, glass, or utensil that you don't notice.

After assessing the situation, you can decide what adjustments you need during meals. Some customizations are simple and some are specialized. Here are some examples of simple problems and adjustments to fix them:

Problem: Your plate slides on the table and you can't stop it.

Solution: Place a wet washcloth underneath or purchase non-slip shelf liners from your local discount store and place a piece of it under your plate.

Problem: You can't tilt your glass or cup to drink.

Solution: Use a short straw to drink liquids.

Problem: You can hold onto your cutlery, but it just doesn't feel secure or you sometimes drop it.

Solution: Buy picnic tableware with plastic handles or similar cutlery with slightly larger handles. These utensils are easier to hang than traditional cutlery, but they are not specialized and are available at your local discount store.

If your eating problems are more complicated, you may need adapted utensils or tableware. Thanks to the internet, these are also easily available. There are many different types of adapted utensils and the selection can sometimes be confusing. Here are some example problems and solutions that involve adapted utensils and tableware:

Problem: You can't close your fingers around small utensils.

Solution: Purchase customized utensils with large handles or purchase foam tubing to place around the handles of your utensils. Foam tubing is less expensive but wears out more quickly. Utensils with large handles cost more, but are more hygienic and last longer.

Problem: You can't cut your meat.

Solution: Buy a rocker knife. This type of knife is specifically designed to allow you to use a rocking motion to cut instead of the traditional sawing motion.

Problem: Your food is slipping off the plate and you can't stop it.

Solution: Buy a plate protector or a plate with a lip on it. Both items are designed to prevent food from slipping or rolling off the plate.

Problem: You have severe ulnar drift and can't hold on to anything.

Solution: Buy a universal cuff. This is a simple elastic band that slides across the palm of your hand. The band has a pocket that accommodates the handle of a spoon or fork, allowing you to hold the utensil yourself.

There are many more examples of adaptive paraphernalia. Adaptive utensils and tableware are designed to overcome almost any eating obstacle. Many of these devices are available online from Arthritis Supplies, so please visit their website at http://www.arthritissupplies.com to browse their selection of adaptable utensils and tableware.

If determining what adjustments you need to eat is overwhelming, an occupational therapist can help you decide. You don't have to see an OT for months to do this. Two or three sessions to assess your diet and determine which adaptive devices are right for you should be enough. Check your insurance plan to see if occupational therapy is covered and where an occupational therapist is located near you. For more information about occupational therapy, visit The American Occupational Therapy Association at http://www.aota.org/Consumers.aspx

Eating doesn't have to be a frustrating, humiliating experience. Adjusting your utensils and dishes can help you regain your independence and dignity during mealtimes.

Inspired by Janet Meydam