Cutlery

[Lynne K]

I am struggling a bit using my knife in my right, dominant hand. I bought a light weight steak knife about eighteen months ago and that has done well by making it easier to cut things up. But the handle is tricky for me now, so I’m exploring other options. My OT suggested special cutlery a few weeks ago. I pictured clumsy child like cutlery so declined. I said that I'd try putting foam tubing on my knife handle. She passed some of this in to me about a month ago. Unfortunately this was too big for my hands.

I then ordered a set of cutlery from NRS Healthcare. These came yesterday. They turned out to be too heavy for me. I emailed my OT yesterday about this. Not heard from her yet and I don’t know if she’s back doing her OT job, since she had been taken off that to help get all patients out of hospices and established safely at home.

Has anybody come across a good set of lightweight cutlery with handles that are a bit bigger than standard, and comfortable in use?

Thanks, Lynne

[Ellie]

Would angled or curved lightweight cutlery be of any use to you Lynne? I think the problem is that 'easy grip' cutlery tends to be weighted for stability but hopefully someone can recommend a lightweight brand for you. or your OT will contact you next week.

I used foam grips for a short while, which were quite narrow (my hands are small)

Hope you are doing well during the lockdown Lynne.

Love Ellie.

[Lynne K]

Hi Ellie, so sorry for my dreadfully late reply about cutlery and thanks. I have bought 3 sets of cutlery so far and none are good enough. I kept a set of light weight steak knives and forks that have big handles (bought for the ridiculous sale price of £15). For me to hold these is ok but the serrated edge of the blade doesn’t go all the way down to the point. So it makes it more difficult for me to cut. Steve likes them though. I sent the other 2 sets back. One set was far too heavy and the other had foam that was too big for my hands. I had already tried foam off my OT but it was huge.

I’ve never tried angled cutlery. I can use regular cutlery for soft food.

What brand were yours Ellie? I’d try them because of how you described them. You didn’t say if they were straight or curved.

About lockdown, I’ve read 3 to 4 books per week, about 38 in all. I’ve done 2 jigsaws and have another on the table. These take me weeks because it’s so difficult to do with my dodgy dominant right hand. I do these for a short time when I’m in the mood. I sit out back in our tiny garden sometimes. I take my iPad and headphones to read and listen to music if there’s loud rap or pop music on in one or other neighbours gardens. But if it’s quiet I like to listen to the birds whilst reading.

We went for a drive today. Steve made sandwiches and we stopped somewhere nice to eat them in the car. There was nobody about for at least 45 minutes then a couple walked past. Steve got out but I didn’t. It was a nice afternoon.

How have you coped with the lockdown? Love Lynne x

[Ellie]

Oh, you got me there Lynne! I can't remember what brand name cutlery I used as it was some years ago, sorry.

I wonder if kids' cutlery would fit your hands better and be a better weight, given that you've small hands? I found I could scoop up food easily enough with an angled spoon and fork, but the food all had to be cut up first for me. I doubt an angled knife would be of much use at cutting, certainly no match for a steak knife!

What do you think of this type - too basic for you maybe?

Angled cutlery.jpg


Fair play to you for doing jigsaw puzzles Lynne! I love listening to audiobooks now I can't turn pages, but if I'm outside in the sun, my mind wanders off with the birdsong and I keep having to replay chapters

I'm glad you get out and about, even just for a drive. I've the kids and hubby studying and working from home, so I get to spend lots more time with them, which is great - a Brucie Bonus of the Lockdown

Love Ellie.

[miranda]

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/eating-aids/adapted-cutlery/bendable-spoon

I have this set of cutlery. You can bend them to the angle which best suits you. Not too heavy and easy to hold. The knife isn’t particularly good but I tend to use an angled spoon in my right hand and a straight fork in my left hand. I can’t coordinate my left hand with fork to put food in my mouth. So use the spoon to feed myself.

I’m sure I’ve made this sound more complicated than it is.

[Gwynie]

Thanks for the link. I have ordered bendable spoons and forks, and a couple of knives.
I will let you know how I get on with them x

[richard]

Thanks for the link. I have ordered bendable spoons and forks, and a couple of knives.
I will let you know how I get on with them x

Gwynie Are they from Uri Geller?

Richard

[Gwynie]

@Richard,
Sounds like it. 😂

[matthew55]

Don't spend a lot as it has very limited time to use sadly 😕😁x

[shelly21]

Gwynie my OT brought a huge cutlery set out for me to try. Try before ypu buy sort of thing. I cant cut food so the rocker knife knob handle was superb. Its called homecraft kings cutlery. I found cheaper on amazon. Screenshot_20210930-095614_Chrome.jpg Screenshot_20210930-100112_Chrome.jpg Screenshot_20210930-095704_Chrome.jpg
AIds for mobility sell most of them.

[keno]

I gave up on a knife and just eat with a fork in my right hand while supporting my wrist with my left hand.

[Ellie]

keno Have you been seen by an Occupational Therapist (OT) or has one been assigned to you yet Ken?

An OT can help with daily living tasks. xx

[keno]

keno Have you been seen by an Occupational Therapist (OT) or has one been assigned to you yet Ken?

An OT can help with daily living tasks. xx

no, not yet the support nurse from the hospital came. She said a speech therapist and a physio would contact me.
She also filled two forms in for something which i signed and said i would start getting money in about a month but no idea what for.
It is so hard to take in at the moment.

[matthew55]

My symptoms starting coincided with the start of Covoid so I've known nothing else. 😉😁🤗😍xx