There are many disabilities which leave people exhausted, in chronic pain or fatigued beyond all belief and as convenience has become a key to modern living, even without these conditions in mind, there has been a glut of inventions which have made living much easier for people with such problems. Previously we looked at useful kitchen gadgets for getting hot plates from the microwave.
One of these inventions is the Lidded Microwave Saucepan. When living with conditions which can be extremely debilitating it can be difficult to ensure you keep yourself as healthy as possible in terms of eating, drinking and other daily essentials. With a Microwave Lidded Saucepan you can safely heat up a precooked meal or even just have some simple soup without having to worry about turning on the hob. Also, the lidded element of this saucepan design means you can avoid the classic splattered microwave issue which can be an absolute nightmare to clean. It is also much safer than using cling film or another cover for your food as a lidded saucepan comes with holes to let out the steam, avoiding the risk of injury and they’re obvious microwave safe but also dishwasher safe.
Customers are really happy with their purchase and those living with other disabilities have also agreed it can be useful because it’s not heavy compared to
A Lidded Microwave Saucepan Steaming Vegetables
traditional saucepans so can be lifted by those with weak muscle tone or limited dexterity. Customers love how easy it is to use, to clean and to look after and how quickly it can cook food to the appropriate core temperature.
There are a range of different lidded microwave saucepans on the market from many of the top kitchenware retailers and the prices differ accordingly. It’s a great way of providing yourself with nourishing meals in super quick time.
Avoid Scalds from Hot Plates with your Buckingham Coolhand
Specifically designed for use as a hot plate holder, the Buckingham Coolhand solves the age-old problem of burns, slips and scalds that come from trying to remove dangerously hot plates from the microwave or oven. The combined difficulty of the hot plate and the weight of the cooked food upon it can make lifting the plate much more difficult. Even with your bare hands or a cloth it can be tricky, so a Coolhand is a neat way of making life easier. All plates are held so that your entire hand takes the weight of the plate and you’re not reliant solely on your fingers.
Red Hot Plate Holder Video
We decided the images for the Coolhand looked a bit ‘flat’ so we created this ‘Red Hot Plate Holder video for it, hope you like it! It is safe for work 😉
The Coolhand allows for heated plates, complete with your chosen meal, snack or dessert to be easily and safely removed from the microwave oven and taken to your dining table. This innovatively designed product from the well-known Buckingham Healthcare Company, allows for anyone who uses a microwave to have a safer way of transferring their meals from kitchen to table. It is highlighted as particularly useful if you live with a disability which causes dexterity problems in your wrists or hands or limited strength and even those who may have a limited grip due to conditions such as arthritis.
The Easy Way to Hold and Carry Plates
The ergonomically designed Coolhand Hot Plate Holder
The Buckingham Coolhand relies on the power of leverage to lift, so that the handle not your fingers takes the weight. The Coolhand replicates the action of a hand, gripping and releasing extremely easily and of course, as an additional tool removes the risk of burns and scalds to your skin.
There are many great features which make the Coolhand a universally popular product which include its non-slip soft grip handle which is 100% latex free, meaning it is safe for those with allergies. Its ergonomic design allows it to be cleaned very easily and there are no obvious dirt traps anywhere on the item and it can be simply popped into the dishwasher when it needs a clean. To allow use by those with weakened strength the Coolhand is extremely lightweight as well as being strong and durable. Finally, the design was created by Chris Buckingham, an experienced occupational therapist whose life improving gadgets we have featured before. She and the design team have worked to ensure that the Buckingham Coolhand should fit with most regular plates or bowls and therefore can be called a truly universal innovation.
Silk-like style clothes protectors – new pashmina from Bibetta
The Bibetta range of clothes protectors has recently come to our attention and we think it’s a brilliant product range, which allows for safety, comfort and dignity whilst eating and drinking. The Bibetta range includes both Tabard and Pashmina style clothes protectors which allow the user to feel comfortable and safe whilst eating or drinking, with no risk of spills or damage to clothing or bare skin. Lightweight and easy to put on, the Bibetta range is great for use in the home or whilst out and about and makes eating and drinking in public a less anxious affair, if you live with a disability which effects chewing and swallowing for example. Along with other items like the Hydrant and Liquid Level Indicator, Bibetta Clothes Protectors go along way to ensuring your comfortable and secure whilst dining, as this lady says in a tweet:
Tabard Style Clothes Protectors – Functional and Dignified
A Functional Bibetta Tabard put to great use
The Tabard Style Clothes protectors from Bibetta are designed with functionality and comfort in mind. Available in a range of sizes for teenagers and adults and made from strong, long-lasting materials. To aid with eating and drinking the tabards are 100% waterproof, almost impossible to stain and can be popped into the washing machine and tumble dryer and remain in perfect condition. They’re soft, flexible and easy to wear and their durability means they last a lot longer than traditional clothes protecting bibs.
As the photo shows, the product is designed with an over-the-shoulder shape which means they look much more like a tabard than a traditional bib, just without the back so easy to put on and take off. This makes a change from traditional bibs which can look uncomfortable and less dignified. Their ergonomically shaped design at the front allows for completely free arm movement, allowing for easy access to drinks and food. Made from flexible Neoprene, the tabards are easily fold-able and can be stored without difficulty.
Pashmina Style Clothes Protectors – Elegant and Practical
The Bibetta Pashmina is attractive and practical
As the photo shows clearly, these Pashmina Style Clothes Protectors offer a completely discrete and dignified solution for avoiding drips and spills onto clothes, keeping them entirely clean. It combines the fashionable elegance of an attractive scarf with the functional protection you may need from a bib. The pashmina is designed with style and dignity in mind and comes in a range of colours to complement any outfit beautifully. It’s made from a soft and luxurious feeling silk-like fabric which adds to its attractiveness and the front is absorbent, keeping away moisture from the skin and allowing for more comfort. It has two further layers, the middle layer is also absorbent whilst the back is waterproof, allowing your skin and clothes to remain completely dry, even if spillage does occur. Like the other products, Bibetta Pashminas are extremely durable despite their delicate appearance and therefore can be machine washed and tumble dried and remain in great condition.
The Bibetta team pride themselves on offering top quality products with durability and dignity at the core of their ethos and both these products deliver that and much more. To find out more and make a purchase, please visit the Disability Horizons Store.
UPDATE
We know wearing a clothes protector can be an awkward social experience and were pleased to see the issue tackled in this blog post from Simon Stevens, an Independent Disability Issues Consultant, Trainer and Activist:
A bib is a covering of the fact worn to protect clothes during mealtimes or from drooling. It is generally seen as something as normally worn by babies but as someone with cerebral palsy, I wear a bib at home all day because of my own drooling. Am I a baby? Not at all, just someone using something I find useful.
10 years ago, bibs for adults were a taboo subject but now I feel that it is more accepted for many disabled people to wear bibs if they wish to do, as well as use a whole range of specialist equipment which were previously less acceptable. I feel this is all due to an improved inclusion of disabled people on their own terms.
People with significant impairments often find things that some regard as babyish as useful to their chosen lifestyle and I am clear the pressure to act normal is less than what it used to be.
