2024, December

The holidays are a time for gathering, feasting, and making cherished memories with loved ones. Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or any other special occasion, the holiday meal plays a central role in bringing people together. But it's not just about the food—it’s also about the experience of sharing that food with the people who matter most. For individuals with limited mobility or a disability, traditional mealtimes can be challenging and may hinder their ability to participate in these memorable moments without the need for a caregiver to assist in their feeding.  

The right dining products can enhance that experience, making every meal more enjoyable, accessible, and memorable for everyone. From dinnerware that sets the mood to tools that make serving and eating easier, here are some must-have dining products to ensure that everyone can fully enjoy holiday meals together. 

Inclusive Dinnerware for Every Guest 

A holiday meal is only as good as the setting in which it’s served. Dinnerware plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your gathering and ensuring that every guest feels included. Consider dinnerware sets that are suitable for your guests during holiday dining. 

• Accessible Designs: For those with mobility or dexterity challenges, look for plates, bowls, and cups with raised edges or non-slip bases to prevent spills and weighted items to make handling easier for those with tremors. 

• Versatile Plateware: Pisces Healthcare offers a variety of plate styles, depending on the level of assistance the Veteran may need.  

• Round Scoop Dishes with a nonskid base that grips tabletops and helps prevent the plate from sliding as well as a low front and high back are ideal for veterans with limited motor coordination or the use of only one hand.  

• Partitioned Scoop Dishes have compartments to keep food separated to minimize choking with mixed consistencies and provide more surfaces for scooping.  

• The Red Dining Set is ideal for a loved one who has difficulty eating due to Alzheimer’s. The color red can help increase the Veteran’s appetite along with other color plate options for Veterans with low vision during holiday meals. 

• Insulated weighted bowls are perfect for serving a favorite holiday soup. The weight can help to reduce the bowl's movement while eating. 

For more dining plates and bowl options click here! 

Eating Tools for Minimal Spillage and Less Effort 

A holiday meal often features an array of delicious dishes—think roasts, sides, casseroles, and pies. Having the right utensils can make the meal flow smoothly and encourage everyone to participate in the feast, with minimal fear of spilling the yummy, prepared food!  

• Adaptive Utensils reduce the challenges of eating and increase meal intake with the right utensils. When considering the correct utensil, Pisces Healthcare has an array of options for improving grip and control, reducing strain and pain to increase independence and accessibility for individuals with physical or cognitive impairments. 

• For veterans with limited hand strength or dexterity choose from utensils with built up handles that are either foam, cushioned, or shaped to provide increase comfort. Many utensils have textured or rubberized handles to reduce the chance of slipping, making it easier for the Veteran with hand tremors or limited grip to use them.  

• Bendable or angled utensils are designed to reduce the need for awkward wrist movements or excessive bending for those with arthritis or joint pain.  

• Utensils can be lightweight, reducing the effort needed to lift or weighted to reduce a tremor to minimize spilling food. Cuffs can also be used to hold the utensil when a Veteran does not have full strength. 

• Don’t forget a rocker knife for ease of cutting favorite foods.  

• For more complex eating needs the Geno Bravo Twist has a spoon and fork kit with anti-shaking function and twist function for spaghetti. 

For more Dining Tools click here!  

Flexible Drinkware  

Drinks are an essential part of the holiday meal experience. From festive cocktails to non-alcoholic options for designated drivers, and warm drinks for comfort and relaxation. Pisces Healthcare has innovative drinkware options to ensure that everyone has something they enjoy. 

• Adaptive Cups and drinking aids help Veteran’s with limitations pick up and drink from a cup without accidental spills or excessive strain, as well as minimize aspiration. There are a variety of options to reduce the challenges of drinking and promoting liquid intake for adequate hydration. 

• Insulated mug with lid or spout, comes standard or weighted. The large handle makes grasping easier and the sealing lid helps prevent spilling. It also features an option for a straw hole that directs the flow of liquid or choose a spout to regulate the amount of liquid. Veterans can enjoy hot beverages like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate that are perfect for winding down after a meal.  

• The HandSteady Cup with a rotating handle has unique features as it self-levels, helps increase control, and reduces spills. A lid with straw hole is another option to use for this cup. This drinking aid is for veterans with tremors, limited dexterity, and weak grip.  

• Two handed nosey cup allows monitoring of hot and cold liquid intake. Ideal for veterans with swallowing difficulty and poor grasp. This cup allows drinking without bending the neck or tilting the head. This cup is ideal for all liquid consistencies. 

• Discreetly assist with volume control and positioning for dysphagia with a SafeStraw. This reusable straw holder assists with oral motor control of liquid bolus by using a small fluid chamber with a one-way valve and a “float” to regulate how much fluid is sucked through the straw at once, helping to prevent aspiration or choking. Once suck is stopped, float sinks to the bottom and is ready to deliver more liquid. Or a disposable option with Ark's One-Way Straws make drinking easier for veterans with a weak suck, oral motor difficulties, and/or problems generating and maintaining suction.  Users tend to experience less coughing and choking while consuming more fluids with this straw. 

For more cups and drinking aids click here.

Specialized Dining Products  

During the holidays, veterans with increased need for assistance from a caregiver may find it challenging to fully enjoy a meal. This can especially be demanding for a caregiver during the holidays when a veteran requires total assistance. Selecting high-tech robotic dining devices elevates the pressure from caregivers and veterans have more independence and control over their dining experience.  

• The Neater Eater is an amazing solution for Veterans who cannot feed themselves or are slowly losing the ability to do so. This feeding device provides veteran’s the ability to eat at their own pace, providing greater independence, dignity and choice. Veterans must be able to maintain head control and the ability to chew and swallow in order to use the Neater Eater safely. 

• The Neater Power Drinker enables veterans to drink liquids and puréed foods at their own pace. The amount of liquid it can pump can be set by the user, and the liquid does not touch any parts of the mechanical pump, meaning it is easy to keep clean and long-lasting.  

For more information click here!

Additional Dining items to consider 

With a little planning and the right dining products, you can ensure that everyone feels confident and included. Pisces Healthcare offers an array of additional products to enhance the veteran's dining experience during the holidays. The following products should be considered for a well-rounded dining experience. 

• Clothing protectors and adult bibs are available as reusable and washable or disposable. The perfect accessory to ensure your attire remains clean and intact for all those family photos! 

• Dycem mats are thick anti-slip mats that provide a secure surface that anchors items, such as cups, plates, and utensils.  

• Plate guards are a great option to add to a traditional plate making the adaptation more discrete and for easy scooping of solid or modified consistencies. 

• Positioning aids such as lateral supports, wedges, or wheelchair tray tables.  

For a full list of all our dining products, click here!

Conclusion: Celebrating the Holiday Spirit, Together 

The holidays are a time for connection, warmth, and celebration. By selecting the right dining products, you can make a veteran’s holiday meal more enjoyable for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest guests. Thoughtful dinnerware, easy-to-use serving tools, flexible drinkware, and even special accommodations for dietary needs can all contribute to a smooth, festive atmosphere. With the right dining tools, you can create a safe space where everyone feels included and supported no matter their abilities. After all, the holidays are about more than just food—it’s about the love and memories you share with family and friends. Happy holidays, and may your dining experience be filled with joy, laughter, and delicious meals!