Alzheimer's Disease Support Group

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...

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Deborah48 03/02/2011

Has anyone found the ideal drinking cup? I have tried cups with straws and bottle type tops and sippy cups. He seems confused about the sucking part, like he doesn't remember how to suck anymore. Pulling up the bottle top to take a drink is too challenging for him. Regular cups are out because he pulls the cup away from his mouth when he stops drinking without returning the cup to an upright position. So he ends up spilling his drink down his shirt into his lap. I tried to search on line but all I come up with is drink one cup of coffee a day to prevent ALZ (yea right!).

inmemoryofhattie 03/02/2011

Hi Deb,

Maybe there is a site on the web for stroke people...that might have something like that

or could you call the physical or occupational therapy department at a nearby hospital to see if they know of something?

Good luck....

deleted_user 03/02/2011

I haven't looked in a while but I think I remember them making drinking cups for toodlers that had a solution for that. Try looking in Baby's R Us or any store that has a large childrens specialty section.

deleted_user 03/02/2011

I was curious after Inmemory posted about things for stroke victims and found a site. I was really surprised and what was there.

When I saw this cup, it sounded like it might work, expensive but you could call them too.
http://www.caregiverproducts.com/site/270651/product/CRM/stroke-products

Every time I read a post I learn more. It helps me watch for things, be more aware with my mom. Good luck on this. If you find something that works, please post it. Thanks.

Deborah48 03/03/2011

Thanks, Linda, I think might be the right thing! I'll let you all know.

deleted_user 03/08/2011

Linda's suggestion sounds great. She is right it is a bit pricy. I was thinking of the style of sippy cup without the valve. They are not spill proof, but would greatly reduce the spillage. 1st Years makes them, or the last I knew, Tupperware makes them as well. Dixie even makes a disposable version of them. Hope you find something that works.

Deborah48 03/09/2011

I talked to my nurse friend about this and she said that sucking from a straw is complicated for them and not really a 'natural' reflex. Anytime a patient has any kind of neurological problem they take the patient off straws. Eventually ALZ patients will difficulty swallowing and the sucking from a straw could actually create a choking hazard. She said sippy cups are best and that we just have to watch them in regards to spilling.

deleted_user 03/09/2011

Then the ones for kids would probably be good. They have weighted bottoms to keep them upright...kind like weebles wobble but don'tfall down. Plus they are only a few dollars.

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