17 June 2020
Having the right drinking aids can help someone to improve their hydration levels and potentially increase their independence whether they are at home or in a care environment.
Making sure that we drink enough is important for anyone but if it becomes difficult for someone to consume liquids independently, it can increase the risk of dehydration and affect their overall wellbeing. At Healthcare Pro, we provide a range of drinking aids to support anyone who finds it difficult to use regular drinking utensils or needs some extra support to improve their hydration levels.
Some drinking aids can be used in conjunction with the glasses, cups, or mugs that a person already has at home. Straws can be used with many different drinking containers and can benefit people for multiple reasons, but are especially useful for those who are unable to lift a cup or tilt their head back to drink. The NRS Healthcare Original Pat Saunders One-Way Drinking Straws feature a one-way valve that keeps liquid in the straw even after someone has stopped drinking and a handy clip to keep the straw securely in the cup. As well as improving hydration, these straws can prevent someone from sucking air into their lungs and reduce their discomfort when drinking.
Healthcare Pro also provide a Safe Sip Drinks Cover which fits over the top of many glasses and cups to reduce the risk of spills and allow the container to be used with a straw while the person is lying down. It's an effective way to help adapt pre-existing crockery to make them more accessible and promote hydration.
If someone is spending a long time in bed due to an injury or health condition, they may need help to sit up and drink when they're thirsty. The Hydrant Bottle has a large liquid capacity with measurements on the side to record fluid intake, and features a drinking tube that can be attached close to someone’s mouth with the clothes clip. It is an effective way to increase their independence and hydration by making sure that they have a drink accessible that they can have while lying down. The Hydrant Bottle is also suitable for wheelchair users and has a large hooked handle so it can easily rest on the back of a wheelchair.
Hot drinks are enjoyed regularly by many people and as they count towards a person’s daily water intake they can contribute to increasing their hydration levels.
A kettle tipper can help to promote safety when someone is preparing hot drinks as they won't need to lift a kettle full of hot water and risk a spill. Some kettle tippers can be used with a pre-existing kettle at home and others, such as the Ucello Easy Pour Kettle and Tipper, include a kettle as part of the package. This kettle and tipper pair features a large handle and smooth pouring action that means the kettle can be gently tilted rather than lifted when pouring a hot drink. The kettle is detachable so can be easily filled with water and used for hand held pouring if needed.
Regular drinking cups and mugs can be uncomfortable and unsteady to use if someone experiences tremors or has reduced control and strength in their hands. Something they may find useful is the Handsteady Mug. It's a unique, award-winning drinking aid which features a specialised moving handle that keeps the mug level no matter how the handle is held by the person holding it. The mug can support those with pain or tremors in the hands by helping them to consume liquid independently, increasing their hydration levels. As well as reducing spills when held, the mug also includes a hidden sip lid that reduces spills when someone is drinking from it.
By subscribing you consent to us using your email address in accordance with our privacy policy.