Assistive Technology

Look for assistive devices such as weighted eating utensils, side-guarded plates and spill-proof cups and glasses at your local medical supply store and on the Internet. Stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond or Target might also carry heavy-handled tableware that would be suitable for persons with ET. Below is a listing, with links, to Internet sites where you may find and order what you need.

Many items are available through Amazon.com. Access Amazon.com through the IETF website portal on this page so that a portion of the purchase price is donated back to the IETF by Amazon.

Caregiver Products.com- Another on-line destination for adaptive technology.

Elderstore.blogspot.com

http://www.elderstore.com - A site with plenty of resources and products for elderly customers.

Resource Guide

Computer Aids

MouseCage v1.05

Software automatically smooths mouse cursor motion to reduce the effects of unsteady or shaky hands. Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP x32, Windows Server 2003 x32, Windows XP x64, Windows Vista x32, Windows Vista x64, Windows 7 x32, Windows 7 x64. Free 7-day trial. $39.95 More details.

SteadyMouse Hand Tremor Mouse Accessibility Software (Free Download) v1.3

Free software designed to assist people with hand tremor. Major Features: Anti-tremor mouse filtering. Removal of accidental mouse clicks. Assistive "Icon Targeting" system. Quick enable/disable using the scroll lock key. Simple design for easy configuration. More details.

Utensils

Swivel Tremor Utensils

The swivel mechanism of these special utensils is engineered to stay level through a shaking hand or a tilted wrist. Useful for individuals with tremors. The swivel prevents excessive rotation or swing. Suited for those with poor grasp. The bowl of the spoon and the tines of the fork are made of stainless steel and mounted in a special grip designed to allow maximum user control with minimum effort. The utensils are dishwasher safe. The fork is 7.5" long and the tines portion of the fork are 2" long, the actual fork tines are 1 3/8". The spoon is 8 " long. The bowl is 2.25" long and 1.5" wide. This is a large spoon, more of a tablespoon size than a teaspoon. Fork, teaspoon, or soup spoon. $34.15. More details.

KEatlery Utensils for Parkinson's

KEatlery utensils for Parkinson's are weighted high quality 18/8 stainless steel utensils. Dining with KEatlery utensils, as with other weighted utensils, will lessen your hand tremors, allowing you to eat more successfully and with greater skill. The results are fewer dribbles and spills on your clothing and table linens. And, they have the appearance of good quality flatware. Your dining companions will never know you are using adaptive utensils.

The handles of these adaptive utensils are solid which gives them their extra heavy weight. Each utensil weighs approximately 8 ounces. A slight indentation on the handles places your fingers in a comfortable ergonomic position. The soup spoon has a recessed edge and a slightly deeper bowl to assist in preventing spills. These lovely KEatlery utensils are institutional dishwasher safe. The utensils are between seven and nine inches in length, depending upon the piece. Sold as a set of four. $39.95. More details.

North Coast Medical - Weighted utensils. Can also be reached at: NCM Consumer Products Division / San Jose, CA.
1.800.235.7054

Soap Safety Sack
Soap Safety Sack was created to stop bathroom accidents and save lives by preventing a soap bar from slipping out of a person�s hand while in the shower. The mesh sack holds a bar of soap and has a loose handle that slips over the wrist. It is perfect for those with diminished physical capacity who have trouble washing themselves and offers a superior cleansing, exfoliating, invigorating wash. The price is $4.45 per pair which includes $.50 for shippling anywhere in continental USA. http://www.soapsafetysack.com

Writing Devices

Ergo Sof PenAGain

Pens, highlighters, pencils, markers. PenAgain.com

Steady Write Sta-Pen by Activeforever- $12.95

The Steady Write pen is a unique writing instrument for either the right or left hand. We have found the Steady Write pen is a helpful tool for those who have weakened grasp due to arthritis or limited use of hands when writing due to neurological disorders. The Steady Write pen helps improve handwriting by using the friction of the base to smooth out the motion of your writing. The solid base balances and guides the hand as you write. The hand does not touch the pen but simply guides the base across the paper. The Steady Write Pen uses standard ballpoint pen refills and features a retractable tip at the click of a button.

Pen and Pencil Weight Kit- $12.95
The weighted button aid has a plastic vinyl handle is designed with finger grips to improve grasp. The added internal weight assists in stabilizing the hand of those persons with unsteady hands or tremors. Measures 1 1/8 x 7 1/2 inches long. Weighs approximately 8 oz.

Books

Life with Shakes by Brian Van Meter

Having suffered from a movement disorder probably his entire life, Brian Van Meter was not diagnosed with essential tremor disorder until he was in his thirties. As a result, he has struggled physically, emotionally, socially, and even financially. This book details the obstacles that he has overcome, the obstacles that stand in his way, and a fork in the road with chances to take. It is the story of a lifelong struggle that few people were aware he was dealing with. Although he was able to cope and mask the symptoms, he had to finally face his fears to overcome this burden. He explains the mental struggles, the complications, and the will to persevere. This is his journey. http://www.publishamerica.net/product89491.html

Magic for Manifesting: Simple Techniques for Realizing Your Dreams by Joan Marie Barringer, MEd, CHT

Magic for Manifesting presents the Universal Laws and simple techniques for realizing your dreams. http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Manifesting-Simple-Techniques-Realizing/dp/1451544197

Carson and his Shaky Paws Grampa by Kirk Hall

Carson and His Shaky Paws Grampa, the first book in the Shaky Paws Grampa series, is a story about the relationship and love between a grandfather (who has both Parkinson's disease and essential tremor) and his seven-year-old grandson. The story is designed to help parents and grandparents comfortably talk about the early onset of tremor and address common questions and concerns children may express.

The second book in the series, Carina and her Bionic Grampa (working title), is in progress and continues to portray the true story about Kirk "Shaky Paws" Hall's journey with PD and ET. The story is intended to provide a comfortable and safe setting through which parents and grandparents may talk about more advanced tremor symptoms with their children and grandchildren.

Carson and His Shaky Paws Grampa was conceived and written by Kirk Hall and illustrated by Alison Paolini. www.innovopublishing.com/Featured-Book-Shaky-Paws-Grampa.html

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