How long does it take for you to make a sandwich or perhaps prepare a nice fresh salad? For most it takes little time at all but if your mobility or strength is impaired in anyway, these tasks that we often take for granted, can prove quite a challenge for others. However, there are some simple and useful devices out there that can help in giving back independence around house and home. Here is a quick look at some of the aids available in making life a little easier in the kitchen and dining room.
Non-Slip Mats
Objects sliding around whilst preparing and eating food may prove to be problematic on some surfaces. Carrying a meal from one room to another on a tray can also offer its own hurdles. Some specialised products already come with a non-slip materials already built in, but if they don't then there are also mats that are available to buy that you place under things that prevent them from moving.
Food Preparation Boards
One of the main functions of any kitchen is of course preparing food. If you find it difficult to grip the food or utensils as you are making a meal with, it can prove to be quite an arduous task. There are some simple devices available that can assist you in your food preparation.
A spread board is simple by design but extremely effective. It is a board with two raised edges (at a right angle to each other) that acts as a buffer to anything sliding off when butted up against it. This is perfect for placing a slice of bread in to add spread to with just one hand.
Some boards also come with a built in spikes option. These spikes can then be used to sit your fruit and veg on so that they remain fixed whilst you clean, peel and chop them all with one hand. These spikes can also be used to keep a loaf of bread sturdy whilst slicing.
There are many functions a food preparation board can assist you in and some offer other tools such as graters and slicers, and clamps for gripping food firmly.
Openers
We've all been there, feeling a bit peckish and all that is left in the cupboard to put on your toast is some jam. You go to open the jam jar and the lid won't budge! There is a wide range of products out there that can help in alleviating this issue.
One solution can be a non-slip jar holder. You simply place your jar inside the holder which then grips it via its non-slip materials, enabling you to open the jar with one hand. These jar holders can also be permanently screwed to any unit to give even further purchase. There are of course a wide variety of other devices that will help you in opening jars, bottles and tin cans. Some are motorised in which you place the opener on a lid, it grips it and then unscrews it itself. Other devices can give you more leverage for opening a bottle or perhaps pulling the ring on a tin can.
Ultimately which openers you choose will depend on your own personal abilities but in modern times you can be sure that no lid or cap is impenetrable any more, there will be an opener that can assist you in opening it.
Cutlery
Most cutlery is quite thin and if you are unable to grip properly it can offer quite a challenge to eat your dinner. There is specialised cutlery available that simple increases the diameter of the gripping area allowing you to hold more firmly
Kettle Tippers
If you're like me and are partial to the odd cup of tea throughout the day then you will frequent the kettle quite a lot. Lifting and pouring the boiling hot water can be a dangerous task if your hand strength and grip is impaired. A kettle tipper can eliminate this issue. You simply sit your kettle inside the tippers cradle which then pivots allowing you to pour out the water with ease and safety.
These are just a few of the simple aids that are available to use in the kitchen and whilst dining. Before you make any purchase I would always recommend doing your research and consulting your doctor to make sure that it is right for you.
