Expert Reviews - Drinking Glasses and Cups

Expert Reviews – Drinking Glasses and Cups

Description

The right cup can make a difference in the person's capacity to drink. In one research study of persons with dementia, liquid intake was increased by as much as 84% when colorful glasses were used. Many supermarket and home stores carry colorful non-breakable cups and glasses, but be sure they're the right size for the person for whom you're caring. Some cups that we tested were too big, making it hard to grasp for older hands. Others were made of very lightweight plastic with narrow bases, making the glass tip easily! The person you care for may also benefit from a two handled cup with a bendable straw.

Safety Wise
If the person has problems with drinking and/or swallowing, be sure to contact a health professional for advice.

2 TIPS

To increase visibility, contrast the cup's color with the beverage served. For example, milk is easier to see in a red cup than a white cup.
You may need to hand the person the cup and place the straw close to their mouth.

Expert Review – Drinking Glasses – Bright Colors

Sure Grips Cups

	MANUFACTURER
	Rika Care (Denmark)
	COST
	$10 each
	VENDORS
	North Coast Medical
	DISCLAIMER
	The listing of these products is for informational purposes and individuals must use their own caution and judgment when using these resources. Functional levels and changes in judgment and reasoning are highly variable in people with dementia. Interventions must be individualized and continually assessed because those that are effective for some individuals may only work briefly and may not work at all for others.

	PROS
	Translucent and colorful; good for people with dementia who have problems with depth perception and/or low vision Rounded indentations for easy grasping Non-wobbly base Dishwasher safe Microwave safe (to 185°F) Comes with a special lid that changes color when the temperature reaches 100° F
	CONS
	Available in small 6-ounce size only. Relatively expensive Person may reject tea /coffee as lukewarm at 100°F (boiling water is 212° F).

Expert Review – Cup with 2 Handles & Opening for a Straw

Cup with 2 Handles & Opening for a Straw
This Caring Home Photo

	MANUFACTURER
	Sammons Preston
	COST
	$18.00
	VENDORS
	Sammons Preston

	PROS
	May be helpful for a person who has forgotten how to drink from an ordinary glass or who has limited movement and cannot tip their head back to drink from a regular glass. Cup has opening for a straw (we have found very few cups with two handles and an opening for a straw) with air hole to regulate flow of liquid. Colorful bendable straw is easy to use and easy to see (not included). Clear plastic allows the person to see what they are drinking (but this may not work if water is served.) Non-wobbly base Two handles allow for a more secure grip.
	CONS
	You – the caregiver – may find the lid a bit hard to remove (we did.) The handles could be smoother and thicker for a more comfortable feel. The person may refuse to use the cup. There is a small air hole in the lid (in addition to the straw hole), so if the cup is tipped over, there's a bit of a spill. It's expensive. (You may be able to find less expensive two handled cup in the children's department of a local store.)