How to Find Dinnerware Suited for a Multiple Sclerosis Patient

Multiple sclerosis presents a grab-bag of symptoms: total or partial vision loss, aphasia, sensations in arms and legs, and even mental issues. But one notable aspect of multiple sclerosis is, of course, difficulty with motor skills. And in no other daily activity are motor skills more necessary than during mealtimes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Non-skid dinnerware
• Non-tip cupholders
• Divided plates
• Desire for a more pleasant dinnertime!

1. Find non-tip and non-skid dinnerware specially made for Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. Plates, dishes, and cupholders for multiple sclerosis patients must be specially designed for that purpose. Perhaps you have wasted a lot of time and money fooling with so-called adaptive plates, bowls, and drinkholders that hardly work--or which break soon after usage. There is a wide variety of useless non-skid plates and dishes which essentially are "non-skid" only if no one touches them. Then there are cupholders that seem to accept only one type of cup, and do a less than adequate job of holding that cup. Not to mention, the cupholder itself often doesn't stay securely in place.
   
   Freedom Dinnerware is a unique company because it makes non-tip plates and dishes for multiple sclerosis patients--as well as wonderful non-tip drinkholders--which do exactly what they claim. The first feature is the non-tip, non-skid property of the products. How does Freedom Dinnerware do this? With a special vacuum base that is nothing like the weak suction cups or slippery "non-skid" pads of competitors. In the Freedom line, all dishes for multiple sclerosis patients come with the universal vacuum base that sticks on any flat, smooth surface with one hand--and unsticks with one finger! This base prevents the plate or bowl from sliding or tipping, under practically any kind of force.

2. Realize that the design of dinnerware can positively or adversely affect the ease in which food can be scooped onto the utensil. The shape of the adapted plates and bowls must be ergonomically correct for multiple sclerosis patients. What this means is that food must stay within the plate or bowl. And in the case of the plate, different foods must stay separated. A great divider plate for multiple sclerosis patients is the one made by Freedom: one big section, two smaller sections, and the added bonus of that stable patented vacuum base. Also, special "scoop" plates allow the food to be pushed up against the side of the dish without going over the side -a big plus for those having trouble getting their food on their spoon or fork.

3. Do not forget about providing a means for improved drinking capability for Multiple Sclerosis patients. Any cup holder for multiple sclerosis patients must be as sturdy and stable as the dinnerware already mentioned. The Freedom drinkholders revolve around the same concept: advanced design with the MS patient in mind. For example, consider the large cupholder. Holding up to 46 ounces of an MS patient's favorite beverage, this is one non-tip drinkholder that truly doesn't tip--all due to that universal vacuum mount.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a support group for multiple sclerosis sufferers and their caregivers. The help you will find there will be immeasurable.
• Talk to your therapist or health care provider when you encounter problems.
• Don't try to do everything yourself. Ask for help from other family members and loved ones. Caregiver burnout is a very real problem and can be a serious cause for concern.

Resources

• No-Slip Dinnerware to Promote Independence
• No-Slip Dinnerware
• No-Slip Cupholders

[coachmac4]

on 11/20/2007 Thank you so much for this article! My sister has MS and I will try to get some of the dinnerware!