Equipment
Eating and drinking
Adapted utensils, cups, and plates for weakened grip and reduced arm control. If swallowing has changed, that is a speech pathologist question before it is an equipment question.
How to use this page
Every item below is listed with what it is for, the price band to expect, and the brands you will actually see. Ask your occupational or physical therapist which of these fits before you buy: much of it is covered as durable medical equipment with a physician order.
About the product links on this page. Where we link to a specific product, we earn a commission if you buy through it. It does not change the price you pay, and it does not influence which equipment we cover.
Eating and drinking: 7 items
Grip and dexterity, Eating and drinking
Adaptive utensils (built-up handle)
Easier grip for weak/arthritic hands
- Typical price band
- $15–$30
- Brands you will see
- Vive, Celley, Fanwer
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Parkinson’s, Arthritis
Grip and dexterity
Adaptive kitchen aids (jar opener, one-hand board)
Prep meals with one hand / weak grip
- Typical price band
- $12–$30
- Brands you will see
- Black+Decker, Vive, Fanwer
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- Arthritis, One-handed
Reach, Eating and drinking
Bendable / swivel utensils
Adjust angle for limited ROM
- Typical price band
- $12–$22
- Brands you will see
- BunMo, Special Supplies
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Stroke, Limited ROM
Grip and dexterity, Eating and drinking
Non-slip scoop plates & bowls
One-handed scooping; stays put
- Typical price band
- $12–$25
- Brands you will see
- Providence, Vive, Fanwer
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- One-handed, Stroke
Eating and drinking
Nosey / no-spill cups
Drink without tilting head
- Typical price band
- $10–$20
- Brands you will see
- Providence, Independence, Vive
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- Dysphagia, Limited neck ext.
Grip and dexterity, Eating and drinking
Universal cuff / utensil holder
Holds utensils when grip fails
- Typical price band
- $10–$18
- Brands you will see
- Vive, NYOrtho
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Grip weakness, SCI
Grip and dexterity, Eating and drinking
Weighted / anti-tremor utensils
Steady utensils for tremor
- Typical price band
- $20–$35
- Brands you will see
- Celley, Vive
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Parkinson’s, Essential tremor
Before you buy anything for eating
If swallowing has changed, that is a speech language pathologist question before it is an equipment question. Coughing during meals, a wet sounding voice afterwards, or food that seems to stick are all reasons to ask for a swallow assessment rather than a different cup.
Grip, tremor and reach are three different problems
Built-up handles help a weak grip. Weighted utensils damp a tremor. A universal cuff straps the utensil to the hand when grip has gone entirely. Bendable utensils solve reach at the shoulder and elbow. Match the tool to which problem it actually is.
The cup matters more than the plate
A cutout cup lets someone finish a drink without tipping their head back, and tipping the head back is the position that makes choking more likely. It is the cheapest genuinely useful thing in this category.
Plate design buys independence
A scoop plate gives a raised wall to push food against, so one hand can load a fork without a second hand steadying it. A non-slip mat underneath stops the plate travelling across the table.
Guides on this site
Before you buy anything
Check our equipment coverage guide first. Many of these items are covered as durable medical equipment, and a loan closet or a rental is often the better call than buying. Product links on this site earn a commission. It never changes which equipment we cover.