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People with Parkinson’s disease may find it difficult to complete daily tasks. Parkinson’s spoons can help people feed themselves more easily and maintain a sense of autonomy.
There are many utensils available for people with Parkinson’s disease. Companies design these products to enable people with motor symptoms to continue feeding themselves.
This article provides a roundup of the best Parkinson’s spoons and discusses the various features that a consumer may want to consider before choosing the spoon that best suits their needs.
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Parkinson’s disease involves a gradual degeneration of a person’s muscle control and mobility. It is a chronic condition that negatively affects a person’s motor skills.
Approximately 10 million people worldwide and 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease. Most people with Parkinson’s disease develop symptoms after age 50 years.
Parkinson’s disease affects multiple areas within the nervous system. Symptoms that result from dysfunction in the nervous system and the deterioration of motor skills include:
- Resting tremors: This symptom usually presents in the hand but can occur in the feet or jaw. Tremor is the
most common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. - Rigidity: This involves tension or stiffness in the muscles along with resistance to movement. It causes uncontrollable jerk-like movements. This rigidity can affect the limbs, face, or other body parts, and it is one of the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
- Bradykinesia: This is the slowing down of automatic, routine movements.
- Postural instability: This refers to changes in posture that can diminish balance and increase the risk of falls.
Parkinson’s disease may also present with non-motor-related symptoms, such as:
- sleep issues
- fatigue
- anxiety
- depression
The
- primary care practitioners
- neurologists
- pharmacists
- physical therapists
- social workers
There is an increasing range of products that aim to help people with Parkinson’s disease continue performing their daily activities and maintain independence. Parkinson’s spoons are one such product.
Most Parkinson’s spoons are weighted to help keep them stable despite shaking hands, which occur with resting tremors.
A resting tremor typically affects the hands. This can make holding eating utensils and moving them from a plate or bowl to the mouth without spilling the food difficult.
Parkinson’s spoons can remain stable even as the hand shakes with tremors. The person using a Parkinson’s spoon can keep the food on the spoon without spilling it. Therefore, the feeding process may become more manageable and less frustrating.
There are a variety of Parkinson’s spoon options currently available on the market. Some are manual, and others are electronically powered.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All information presented here is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
This spoon has an electronic stabilizing handle and attachments that include a soup spoon, an everyday spoon, a fork, and a spork. Sensors in the handle detect hand motions, and a tiny computer recognizes the difference between tremors and intentional movements.
The product comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts for 1 hour between charges. Utensil attachments are dishwasher safe. However, people should not wash the computerized handle in the dishwasher or submerge it in water.
Standout feature: Liftware claims that its Liftware Steady spoon shakes 70% less than the user’s hand through an advanced sensor and motor-based cancelation technology.
Price: $195 for a starter kit
This spoon uses electronic power to apply 360-degree stabilization technology and a high speed control system to counteract unwanted hand tremors by 85%. Sensor technology differentiates intentional hand motions from tremors.
The system has several attachments and a rechargeable battery that lasts for 180 minutes between charges. The product is made of easy-to-clean, bisphenol A-free materials. It also turns off automatically to minimize energy consumption.
Standout feature: GYENNO claims that its spoon shakes 85% less than its user’s hand through advanced stabilization technology.
Price: $199.99
This spoon uses ergonomic features and weight distribution with support grip handles to offset hand tremors.
The custom-designed product is not electronically powered and does not come with attachments. Each set includes a fork, knife, teaspoon, and soup spoon. The stainless steel products are dishwasher safe.
Standout feature: The product’s design shapes to its user’s fingers for a more stabilized, wide, and textured grip.
Price: $22.85
These spoons are manually powered, ergonomically designed, and dishwasher safe.
They come in a three-piece set, including a fork, knife, and spoon.
Each utensil weighs 7 ounces (oz).
Standout feature: They look like premium silverware.
Price: $35.99
These spoons are ergonomically designed, weighted, stainless steel pieces that help stabilize hand tremors.
Sets include a fork, knife, soup spoon, and teaspoon, each weighing 7 oz.
The products are latex-free and dishwasher safe.
Standout feature: Easy-to-hold handles ensure a better eating experience for those with a weak or limited grip strength.
Price: $44.99
When choosing a Parkinson’s spoon, consumers may want to consider the severity of their tremors.
The electronically powered utensils that use smart technology claim to counteract resting hand tremors by 70–85%. However, electronically powered utensils are more expensive and typically require more care and maintenance.
Occupational therapists can be helpful in choosing the best Parkinson’s spoon for one’s needs.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, its symptoms get worse. Those with the condition may eventually find it difficult to accomplish simple daily living tasks, such as eating with utensils.
Parkinson’s spoons are available to help people with Parkinson’s disease eat and maintain some independence. Some are electronically powered, whereas others are simply weighted. All come with a range of features and benefits.