Weighted silverware looks just like the regular knives, forks and spoons..........however the handles have extra weight added to them which helps to reduce the tremor and helps to get food from the plate to your mouth without redecorating your shirt front!  I think the weight varies between 7 and 9 ounces per utensil.

Do a web search for weighted fork etc............

Check your local medical supply (wheelchairs, ambulatory needs supplier)......locally I can purchase this flatware at the specialized store for home medical needs in this area.  Some expanded pharmacies may have them in stock.  I checked our local Walmart/Shopko and they do not carry them.

Anticipate cost to be in the $10 to $12 range per piece of flatware.   I only purchased the soup spoon and the fork........I can still use a regular knife for cutting meat etc.

I just wrap the flatware in a napkin/baggie and slip a fork and spoon in my purse when I go out to eat.........it is easy to slip them onto the table very inconspicuously.  Just remember to bring them home!!!

Basically I have found two sets on line............one set has a "plastic looking handle".........and the other set looks like regular flatware, but has a little thicker handle.  I use the plastic handle type when I go out to a restaurant......only because the "different look" keeps the waiter from removing my flatware with the rest of the things on the table.....and also serves as a visual reminder to me to stick these in my baggie and take them home again!!!



-----Original Message-----
From: George Bousliman <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Fri, Nov 20, 2009 9:52 am
Subject: Re: Swallowing Problems


Rita - please explain "weighted silverware."
Thanks,
eorge L.  Bousliman
----- Original Message ----- 
rom: <[log in to unmask]>
o: <[log in to unmask]>
ent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 4:20 AM
ubject: Re: Swallowing Problems

 Have you tried using weighted silverware?  I find this to be very useful.

 Rita



 -----Original Message-----
 From: [log in to unmask]
 To: [log in to unmask]
 Sent: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 2:00 pm
 Subject: Re: Swallowing Problems


 What about the problem of messy eating due to tremors ?
 miss my mouth even though the target's pretty big.
 Quoting rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]>:
> Physician Focus: There's help for swallowing problems

 By Danielle Morgan-Stevenson
 GateHouse News Service
 Posted Nov 17, 2009 @ 01:12 PM

 The term "swallowing problem" covers many symptoms. More accurately known 
 as

 "dysphagia," speech language pathologists (aka speech therapists) are
 involved in the assessment and treatment of swallowing problems, often in
 collaboration with other medical specialists.
 But how can one tell if someone has dysphagia?

 A speech therapist will evaluate the problem in terms of three stages
 involved in eating and drinking. These are 1) the oral preparatory stage
 when the food or drink is being prepared in the mouth for swallowing, 2) 
 the

 oral stage, when the food or drink moves back in the mouth to be 
 swallowed,
 and 3) the pharyngeal stage, the sequence of actions that move the food or
 drink from the back of the mouth to the esophagus.
 There is a fourth stage, the esophageal stage, which takes the food or 
 drink

 to the stomach. Problems occurring in this stage require medical
 intervention with a specialist such as a gastroenterologist or other 
 doctor.

 With an appropriate exam and testing, an ST can decide if your symptom(s) 
 in

 one or more of the first three stages are abnormal, based upon knowledge 
 of
 normal function and timing. The ST's primary concerns are two-fold: to
 change or manage the symptoms to ensure your safety and adequate hydration
 and nutrition.

 Dysphagia can occur at any age with many possible causes. Typically this 
 can

 be due to physical changes or diseases in the nervous system, or in an
 underdeveloped nervous system in the case of a baby or young child. It may
 also occur in the anatomy of the head and neck, following reconstructive
 surgery for cancer. It may be temporary, although intervention remains
 necessary, or it may be long term.

 Therapy is entirely customized as there is not a one-size-fits-all
 treatment. Therapy is based upon accurate diagnosis of your symptoms with
 the most appropriate management for that combination of symptoms.

 Often this treatment employs altering food (or liquid) consistency
 appropriately, using exercises for the mouth and throat, and small 
 postural
 changes during meal times to alter the anatomy and function during
 swallowing. The therapist must take into account the person's lifestyle 
 and
 preferences as eating are an important part or our emotional and social
 selves.

 The signs given below could indicate a dysphagia assessment might be
 helpful. A single symptom may exist or there could be a few symptoms.
 Consider these if you know someone who might have a swallowing problem:

 - Most obviously, the person may describe a sensation during eating or
 swallowing. They might say things like, "I can't get it back, it takes 
 ages
 to chew, the food gets stuck, I need to clear my throat." It is worth 
 noting

 there is not always a sensation even when there is a problem.

 This is particularly true in people with neurological problems, such as a
 stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis.

 - Sometimes coughing or choking during meals or snacks (food or drink).
 Again, this is not always present.
 - Speech changes or maybe slight slurring.
 - Voice changes. They may sound hoarse or gravelly, or weak and quiet, or
 "wet" or nasal.
 - Does it take a long time for them to eat a meal (45 minutes or more for
 just eating/drinking time)?
 - Congestion as the day progresses, especially in the evening.
 - Losing weight, although they are not on a diet.
 - Avoiding some foods or drinks because they anticipate a problem.
 - Recent medical or surgical event.
 - Difficulty with swallowing saliva. May drool at times.
 - Swallowing a few times to get something down.
 - New difficulty swallowing pills.
 II you notice one or more of these symptoms, a swallowing evaluation with 
 a
 speech therapist could be helpful. Remember, most swallowing problems can 
 be

 helped.

 Danielle Morgan-Stevenson is a speech pathologist with the Spaulding
 Outpatient Clinic in Framingham, Mass. Her specialty is dysphagia and
 disorders of cognition and communication with neurologically impaired
 people, as well as speech and language disorders in preschool children.
 Rayilyn Brown
 Director AZNPF
 Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
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