Ramblings of an old Doc

 

This might help some folks caring for elderly parents…

You’d think that eating is a simple thing: Money + food store + cooking (optional) and there you are, right?

Not for some.

The developer is an engineer whose mom has a tremor. He was engaged by the DoD to create more stable rifles to increase marksmanship (I suppose), and a light went off in his head.

He started working on a spoon to cancel tremors. After all, cameras have this, especially Hollywood movie cams.

He made a spoon for his mom. Actually, this is a big thing. First, tremors use up lots of energy and if you can’t eat well, you’ll lose weight and become debilitated. Your immune system will be compromised (as well as all your body systems), you’ll become ill and…also, eating is a social activity. The person with the tremor will become isolated and ill because of this as well.

This is a big deal. In Nursing Homes, a good deal of labor is spent feeding folks who because of tremors can’t feed themselves. That labor will be freed up to do other things.

So, it’s a win-win-win all the way around. Good work, Anupam Pathak!

Source:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/05/13/310399325/a-spoon-that-shakes-to-counteract-hand-tremors?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20140513


Comments
on May 15, 2014

This is a big deal.

 

My Aunt, who has Parkinson's, would agree!

 

Nice article, Doc. 

on May 15, 2014

Thanks, Jim. The current pricing on the units is about $300. I don't know if MC/'caid or other companies participate.

I hope they do. This can be of huge benefit to a person's nutrition, health and ability to socialize with others.

on May 15, 2014

That's awesome.  The technology will improve and the price will come down, but it's pretty damn good already on both counts.

on May 15, 2014

Well, well, yet another little invention that does so much to assist its users to have a better quality of life.  Oh I love it when inventive people see a problem, like this guy did, and put their minds towards creating tools to assist those who cannot manage simple daily tasks due to a debilitating illness. This little spoon is a great tool in that process of helping those who, through no fault of their own, cannot help themselves... and hopefully it is but one step of many to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate.

on May 15, 2014

Wow, awesome,  the PT/OT folks will luv this new item to help folks with with challenges dining!  outstanding!

on May 15, 2014

Brilliant! We need more folks like him. Damn good work!

on May 16, 2014

I love seeing smart people using technology to genuinely make the world a better place!

 

on May 18, 2014

Nice find Doc.. Is nice to see ideas that can make people with disabilities more independent. Not only do inventions like this help with their physical well being by making it easier to get nutrition, but also their self esteem as now they have one less way they are dependent on others in their daily life.

 

 

on May 26, 2014

HG_Eliminator

Nice find Doc.. Is nice to see ideas that can make people with disabilities more independent. Not only do inventions like this help with their physical well being by making it easier to get nutrition, but also their self esteem as now they have one less way they are dependent on others in their daily life.

 

 

 

You raise a very, very crucial point:  People who need help with ADLs generally wish they did not need help.  Anything that improves independence is an esteem builder.  happy I am you highlighted this for us. 

on May 26, 2014

ElanaAhova
happy I am you highlighted this for us. 

Pizza Yoda for your pizza waits.

on May 26, 2014

DrJBHL


Quoting ElanaAhova, reply 9happy I am you highlighted this for us. 

Pizza Yoda for your pizza waits.

 

Is this a subtle ad for Caesar's Pizza?  "Pizza, Pizza."   

on May 26, 2014

Elana...HG_E is known as The Pizza Vulture.

on Sep 11, 2014
on Sep 11, 2014

Thanks for updating, Cauldyth!