Why Mobility Aids Are So Important – Case Study 4 – Safe Sips

Posted by Mike Phipps on January 6, 2022

Hello! I'm Kate Makin, Ability Superstore’s resident Occupational Therapist (OT). I am here to answer your mobility aid queries. I also write articles and guides to assist you in choosing the right mobility aids.  

As an OT, I work with a variety of individuals who are all ages, have many different illnesses, injuries and long-term disabilities.

For this blog, I thought I would share an example of the type of work that I do with you. This case study shows how a specific mobility aid has made a significant difference in a person's everyday living. 

Case Study: Mr W – Safe Sips

A person I recently assessed was a 75-year-old man – Mr W.

Mr W had many health problems however, his main problem was Parkinson’s Disease. This caused Mr W to experience a slight tremor that mainly affected his hands. Mr W also had difficulty walking and getting around. He experienced stiffness and slow movement, which are often some of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Mr W lived with his wife, and they had a supportive family. There were no home carers, and Mr W was keen to remain as independent as he could be in his own home.

Mr W required several mobility aids and adaptations to be made to his home. I also had several suggestions/recommendations that would make sure that Mr W was as safe and as independent as he could be. I also wanted to make things easier for his wife. She was helping her husband with all daily tasks, such as washing and dressing, and doing all the household cooking and cleaning.

Some of the aids I recommended were to help Mr W in getting around his home safely. Other aids related to eating and drinking, as this was one of his main areas of difficulty.

How A Safe Sip Drinking Aid Would Help

Mr W was keen to be as independent and as dignified as he could be when it came to eating and drinking, and he did not want his wife to have to help him. I recommended some adaptive cutlery and various cups.

One of these recommendations was for a Safe Sip.

Mr W was keen to continue using his own cups and glasses, rather than some of the cups with lids and spouts. Although Mr W realised that drinking was difficult for him to manage without spillages, he wanted to use something that, to him, felt more subtle and age appropriate.

The Safe Sip reusable drink covers are ideal in that they can be used on a ‘normal’ glass, mug, or cup – a straw is inserted into the small opening in the cover. The Safe Sip enables spill-free drinking at a low cost.

For Mr W, the Safe Sips were a perfect solution to his drinking difficulties. They meant that he could continue to use his own cups and glasses and drink safely without the risk of spills. This made a significant difference in regards to Mr W’s dignity.

The Safe Sip is ideal for all age ranges, too. Perfect for children and on picnics to keep unwanted flies and wasps out of the glass!

I hope this case study has been interesting and gives you an insight into some of the work I do as an OT.

 

Please note that all content on this website (including, but not limited to, copy, images, commentary, advice, tips, hints, guides, observations) is provided as an informational resource only. It is not a substitute for correct and accurate diagnosis, or recommendation, or treatment by a medical professional. Please ensure that you obtain proper guidance from your GP, or another medical professional. The information provided on this website does not create any patient-medical expert relationship and must not be used in any way as a substitute for such.