Eating Skills at Home: Strategies for Life, Living Well with Vision Loss
Debby Smith, Rehabilitation Specialist
September 1, 2008
Eating can be one of the highlights of the day. Much of our social life is based around food. However, many people experiencing new vision loss worry about eating with others. They express concern that they may knock something over or spill food on their clothes. Such concerns may prevent them from sharing a meal with others and lead to isolation. Yet with training and practice, skills and confidence will improve.
Explore table settings by fingers curled, palm side down and locate the edge of the table. Then, gently move both curled hands over the table top keeping contact with the surface. Items are less likely to be knocked over with hands in this position. Check if the table is set in the traditional manner, fork and butter plate on the left and knife, spoon and glass on the right. Use of contrasting table cloths and dishes make it easier to locate items for those with low vision.
A technique commonly used is to describe the location of food and items on the table is the “clock method”. Considering the plate as the face of a clock, others can describe, for instance, the water glass is beside “1 o’clock”, the potatoes are at “9 o’clock”, etc. Use a fork to locate where food is placed by touch. The texture and consistency of foods can be learned through experience.
After locating what is on the plate, the next challenge may be to cut food. Find the chicken, for example, with the fork and knife. Lay the knife flat on the top end of the chicken and anchor the fork next to it. Then slide the knife down the back of the fork cutting the chicken with even sawing back and forth movement. Pick up the cut piece with the fork and try to determine if is the right size by its weight and the right size by feeling it with the knife. This is a good skill to practice at home (maybe with leftovers that have no gravy!), where the piece can be checked with fingers.
Sometimes it is helpful to use a bowl instead of a plate. Foods, such as salads, are less difficult for all of us to eat from a bowl. The high sides make it easier to cut the ingredients, toss the salad and eat the food. A “pusher,” a knife or bread, can be used to push food towards the fork. A spoon may be helpful when eating foods that may roll, like peas or corn.
Pouring dressing on a salad can be challenging. It is easy to pour too much. The dressing can be put into a small cup and then onto the salad. That way the maximum amount able to be poured is controlled. Dressing can be purchased in or transferred to a wide mouth jar and spooned out. Relatively new salad dressings come in a spray bottle so the nozzle can be aimed toward the salad. The light spray of dressing also saves calories!
Practicing eating skills in a comfortable and familiar environment, alone or in the company of close friends or family members, can help boost self confidence and increase independence. In a future article we will share tips for eating out at a restaurant.
Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older, Outreach@Perkins.org, 617-972-7643