About Built-Up Utensils

Purpose

• Your built-up spoon, fork or knife helps you compensate for physical deficits such as hand weakness, finger numbness, bone deformities often seen with rheumatoid arthritis, and tremors. Because of the increased handle girth, you need less fine-motor aptitude to grasp your built-up utensil. Many built-up utensils also have textured handles to help improve your tactile sensory awareness.

Options

• A vast array of adaptive built-up feeding items is available. The standard utensils are covered with a thick rubber handle, which is usually at least 1 inch in diameter. Weighted built-up spoons or forks have a firmer rubber or hard-molded plastic handle, which contains weights to counteract your tremors by making it more difficult for your hand to shake. Some utensils even feature a strap that can be wrapped around the back of your hand to further reduce your chance of dropping your utensil.

DIY Utensils

• You can create your own built-up utensils by using common, everyday items. For instance, using a standard piece of flatware, apply duct tape around the handle of the flatware, starting at the base and working two-thirds of the way up the handle. Wrap the duct tape in layers until you have achieved a 1-inch diameter. You can also use a hollow foam tube wrapped around the handle of your flatware. Cover the foam tube with one layer of electrical tape to secure the foam in place. Hand-wash the modified flatware to preserve your modifications.

Other Options

• Aside from a larger handle, your built-up utensil can have adapted ends. A swivel spoon or fork has a hinge that prevents the food from falling off when your hand shakes or trembles. A "spork" is a combination spoon and fork. The fork part helps you spear food so you can pick it up, while the spoon part helps you keep food on the utensil as you lift it to your mouth. Small spoons are useful if you are impulsive and take large bites when eating.