SPOONFUL OF MEDICINE

The ingenious cutlery on the market for those who struggle at mealtimes. This week: Steady Spoon, £71.92, uksmobility.co.uk

CLAIM: This 14cm long spoon has a strap for your hand to make holding it easier. The handle is counter-weighted so the spoon ‘bowl’ stays level no matter what position your arm is in, or the level of tremor. EXPERT VERDICT: Claire Rothery, an independent occupational therapist based in Rugby, says: ‘This can be useful for people with tremors as the weight dampens down the shaking and makes it easier to put food into the mouth. But the heaviness — it’s 227g (seven times more than a normal teaspoon) — can lead to fatigue. The strap would help someone with severe arthritis or a weak grip. But it is quite expensive.’