Products designed to make eating and drinking easier for people as dementia progresses

We took a selection of products to a group of people with dementia in south Wales to get their opinions about them. 

Newport’s Dementia Voice local group meets monthly to share their views and to influence what Alzheimer’s Society and others are doing.

We wanted to know what they thought of products that have been designed to make it easier to eat and drink. 

Tilt-to-pour kettle 

Uccello’s Tilt-to-pour kettle is for anyone who struggles with gripping or lifting weight. You don’t have to lift the kettle out of its stable cradle to fill it or pour it, though you can if you want to. 

‘It’s really pretty,’ said Trixie when she saw it. ‘I really like that!’ 

The kettle comes in black and white, all black and all white, but group members particularly liked the red and white version.

‘You see red, it stands out,’ said Diane. 

Mavis said she’d prefer it if it had a flat heating element, though she added, ‘It’s a good idea for someone who has problems using an ordinary kettle.’ 

The group agreed the price (£49.96 plus VAT) was good value. ‘Most kettles are about that,’ said Ian, who was also reassured by the two-year warranty. 

Diane said, ‘It’s the difference between having a cup of tea or coffee and not having one because you’re frightened.’ 

Cups and glasses 

We showed the group a prototype ceramic mug from Lifemax, which has a lid and a layer that keeps its contents warm. Its bottom also sticks to flat surfaces using suction. 

Although people liked the idea of their hot drink not going cold if they forget it’s there, it was too hard to pick the mug up once it was stuck to the surface – something that we’ll feed back to its designers! 

The Unbreakable mug, from Find, comes in yellow or blue and with or without a lid that you can drink through.

It’s made from lightweight but hard-wearing melamine. 

People liked the look and feel of it, though some worried about being able to get the lid off.

Mike said, ‘With my hands, I wouldn’t be able to take it off.’ 

Group members were impressed by the Handycup from Able2, which is angled so you don’t have to tilt your head back and has a large base for stability. 

‘It’s a fantastic product, well balanced,’ said Ian. ‘Can’t tip it at all, lid’s easy to take off.’ 

Diane said, ‘It’s quite attractive, and bright enough for someone to see it.’

Able2’s Noseycup was also a hit, with its rim shaped to make room for your nose without having to move your head back. 

‘I’d still tip it out!’ joked Shirley, after accidentally trying it the wrong way around, though it worked otherwise. 

As with some other specially designed products, you don’t have to pay VAT on most of these if they’re for use by a person with dementia – tick the box stating you’re eligible for VAT relief at our online shop’s checkout. 

Trixie said, ‘It’s perfect, isn’t it?’ 

Find’s Unbreakable wine glass and beer glass are shatterproof and dishwasher safe. 

Mavis said, ‘They look good, you wouldn’t know they were plastic.’ 

Diane noted that plastic can get scratched after repeated washes, but Claire from our shop said none had been returned over the years we’ve sold them. 

Crockery and cutlery 

Find’s melamine dinner plates, side plates and bowls are yellow or blue, making it easier to see your food, and their raised rims help to reduce spills. 

Billy said, ‘I like them, it is like ceramic.’

Diane agreed, ‘They’re a nice weight without being heavy – sometimes these things can be so light they feel like a frisbee!’ 

Ian thought the prices were ‘a bit steep’ but added, ‘It’s essential, isn’t it? I’d buy it.’ 

Good Grips knives, forks, dessertspoons and teaspoons, from Able2, have soft cushion grips that keep them in hand, even when wet. 

‘Unbelievable, very good,’ said Trixie. ‘It’s light, isn’t it?’ 

‘I’ve got two sets of these,’ said Ian.

‘If I go to a restaurant or on holiday, then I take my own. I recommend these – 12 out of 10 for anyone with problems gripping.’ 

Mavis said, ‘They’re expensive but they’re really solid, aren’t they?’ 

We also showed the group Able2’s Henro-grip knives, forks and spoons. These have curved handles to make best use of forearm strength. 

People were pleased the forks and spoons come in left- and right-handed versions. Their unusual appearance prompted a lot of comment though. 

Billy said, ‘If you threw it away, it’d come back!’ 

‘I wouldn’t entertain them,’ said Mavis. ‘My children would look at me and think I’d gone mad.’ 

However, she added, ‘I can see it would be easier to use them.’ 

Billy agreed, ‘Yes, for people who need them.’ 

Prices (correct at December 2022)

• Tilt-to-pour Uccello kettle – £49.96 plus VAT. 
• Unbreakable mug – £5.90 plus VAT with lid, £3.95 plus VAT without. 
• Handycup – £14.66 plus VAT. 
• Noseycup – £5.99 plus VAT. 
• Unbreakable glasses – wine glass £4.55 and beer glass £5, both including VAT (no VAT relief). 
• Find crockery – dining plate £6.95, side plate £4.50 and bowl £5.95, all plus VAT. 
• Good Grips cutlery – teaspoon £11.66 and knife, fork or dessertspoon each £15.33, all plus VAT. 
• Henro-grip cutlery – knife, fork or spoon each £11.99 plus VAT. 

As with some other specially designed products, you don’t have to pay VAT on most of these if they’re for use by a person with dementia – tick the box stating you’re eligible for VAT relief at our online shop’s checkout.