The holiday season is just around the corner. There is great diversity in the types of celebrations and traditions experienced during this time, but it is safe to say each holiday will have one thing in common — food! Contributing a dish to a holiday celebration is our way of giving and sharing with those we love. It is a symbol of unity, warmth, and gratitude.
When preparing food becomes difficult because of a disability or the effects of aging, assistive technology (AT) steps in, giving back an individual’s ability to, once again, share in the holiday experience.
Below is a sampling of many types of AT to aid in cooking.
For more ideas visit:
If you are looking for a piece of AT for a specific need and don’t see it below, feel free to contact an AT Consultant and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for!
Low Vision Black and White Cutting Board
“One side is black to contrast with light colored food you are cutting. The other side is white to define dark foods being cut on this full sized plastic, washable board.”
Cutting Board with Pivot Knife
“This cutting board has an attached chef’s knife to help with chopping. The knife is attached at the tip, with a hinge, and can be moved in an arc of about 90 degrees as needed for slicing items. There are four suction cups on the bottom of the cutting board to help keep it securely in place. The knife can be removed for easy cleaning.” For individuals who lack coordination, strength, or gripping ability; or for those with tremors.
Evriholder Safe Slice Knife Guard
This device provides a strong grip on the item an individual is trying to cut. It creates a barrier between the knife and an individual’s fingers so that they can safely slice food. For individuals who lack coordination, strength, or gripping ability; or for those with tremors.
Easy-Grip Zester
“The Easy-Grip Zester is fantastic to use and cleverly designed, featuring a rounded, comfort-grip handle that is slip-resistant.” For individuals who lack coordination, strength, or gripping ability.
60 Minute Timer on a Rope
This timer can be worn around the neck or placed on the refrigerator to remind individuals when its time to check their food. The timer is simple to set and features high contrast between the timer and the numbers for better readability. The mechanical bell that sounds when the time is up is loud and causes a small vibration. For individuals with memory issues, low vision, and hearing loss.
Pan Holder
“Plastic coated steel ‘U’ shaped saucepan handle holder. Attaches to cooker top with suction cup feet. Prevents a pan from turning while stirring with one hand. Accommodates different sizes of pans.” For individuals who lack coordination, strength, or gripping ability; or for those with one hand.
Boil Alert
“The Boil Alert solid disk marker will rattle against the sides of a pan when liquid is boiling.” For individuals with memory loss and low vision, or for those who need an extra reminder.
Can Opener for Ring Pull Cans
“This ‘J’ shaped opener opens ring pull can tops with a simple rocking motion. Non-slip grip handle for added comfort.” For individuals who lack coordinations, strength, or gripping ability.
One Touch Can Opener
Attach this can opener on top of a can and press the button on the top of the can opener to start it. For individuals who lack coordination, strength, or gripping ability; or for those with one hand.
One Touch Jar Opener
For individuals who lack coordination, strength, or gripping ability; or for those with one hand.
I’d be wary of that zester – it’s the same one that I have and even with it zesting a lemon requires a LOT of grip strength, arm strength, and coordination. It’s not trivial! I found that it’s a lot easier to do it with the side of one of those stand up box-style graters where you can rest it on the bench top and just move the lemon.
Hi Ricky! Excellent feedback – thank you for sharing!
Hi
This is a great piece, but the timer is categorized as memory loss, low vision and hearing loss and provides loud and vibration….. and wondered if you might expand your piece to include alerting technology used in mobile devices… like OtoSense – http://www.otosense.com – which lets the user record the sound of various appliances in the kitchen… Thanks!
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn. Thank you for your comment. Your link and product is valuable to this topic.
I wanted some suggestions for a woman with memory problems for stove use. She needs some sort of an alarm to alert her not to leave the kitchen when she has food on the stove. Her daughter is very concerned about this issue.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Ellen White
Hi Ellen. Keep in mind, because I have not met the woman with memory problems, I cannot make recommendations specific to her needs. However, I can provide a list of assistive technology (AT) that is designed for safety using the stove for those with memory loss.
HomeSensor for Stovetop Burners: http://www.atlaak.org/homesenser-for-stove-top-burners/
Stove Guard: http://www.stoveguardintl.com/index.php
iGuard Fire: http://iguardfire.com/
CookStop: http://www.cookstop.com/home.html
Stove Reminder: http://www.alzstore.com/Stove-Reminder-p/0105.htm
StoveTop FireStop: http://www.stovetopfirestop.com/
This is not an exhaustive list. There are alternative pieces of AT and tips for remembering that may benefit the woman with memory loss. Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss AT to fit the specific needs of this individual.
Cooking is an important part of daily living to support independence and the illustrated AT will certainly assist in this. But also safe cooking is equally important. I represent Innohome here in the UK, they have designed the Stove Guard which monitors the cooker hob to detect an unusual rate of rise and max temperature during cooker and will sound an alert if it detects a potential fire situation. If no action is taken within 1 minute of the alert the sensor will send a radio signal to turn the cooker off.
The Stove Guard has just won two National awards for innovation in the Fire sector.