Geriatric Cup Feeder and Method of Use

Abstract

The invention refers to a geriatric feeding cup for feeding liquid to an elderly person, including a cup adapted to receive the liquid, a lid and a spout made of a soft pliable material fitted to the cup. In use, the geriatric feeding cup enables the search reflex, the suck reflex and the swallow reflex to be stimulated in the elderly person so that they can be fed the liquid in a more effective and safe manner. The invention also relates to a method of use of the geriatric feeding cup whereby the search reflex, the suck reflex and the swallow reflex are stimulated to feed the person.

1 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A geriatric feeding cup for feeding liquid to an elderly person, the geriatric feeding cup including:
 a substantially rigid cup including at least one wall, the cup being adapted to receive the liquid;   a lid for the cup to retain the liquid therein; and   a long wide spout of a width of more than 12 millimetres and a length of more than 30 millimetres, made of a soft pliable material, the long wide spout being fitted to the wall of the cup and being suitable to dispense thickened liquid food and in use to elicit the search, suck and swallow reflex in an elderly person,   
       wherein, use of the geriatric feeding cup enables the search reflex, the suck reflex and the swallow reflex to be stimulated in the elderly person by touching the tip of the spout repeatedly on the corner of the mouth of the elderly person to stimulate the search reflex and once stimulated moving the tip of the spout backwards and forwards on the tongue to stimulate the suck reflex and depositing liquid on the posterior aspect of the tongue to stimulate the swallow reflex so that the elderly person can be fed the liquid in a more effective and safe manner. 
     
     
         45 . The geriatric feeding cup of claim  1 , wherein the elderly person is any elderly person who requires assistance feeding where traditional methods are no longer suitable or is a person with dementia. 
     
     
         46 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein the soft pliable spout is at least 40 millimetres long. 
     
     
         47 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein the spout includes a terminal opening of a size suitable to the liquid to be dispensed. 
     
     
         48 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  4 , wherein the terminal opening is 1 millimetre, 3 millimetres or 5 millimetres wide. 
     
     
         49 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein the spout is substantially 40 millimetres long, substantially 12 millimetres wide and has a terminal opening of 5 millimetres wide. 
     
     
         50 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein the spout is disposable. 
     
     
         51 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein a range of different spouts of different lengths are available for use to suit mouths of different sizes. 
     
     
         52 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein a range of different spouts are included and the spouts are differentiated by being colour coded for ready and safe identification. 
     
     
         53 . The geriatric feeding cup of claim  9 , wherein the spouts are colour coded to denote different sizes or lengths different lengths. 
     
     
         54 . The geriatric feeding cup of claim  9 , wherein the spouts are colour coded to denote spouts with different widths of terminal opening. 
     
     
         55 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein a range of different spouts are available with different widths of terminal opening suitable for dispensing liquids of different consistency or thickness. 
     
     
         56 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein the tip of the spout is wetted before being put repeatedly in the corner of the mouth of the person to assist to stimulate the search reflex. 
     
     
         57 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein honey or another desirable tasting food is be put on the tip of the spout before being put repeatedly in the corner of the mouth of the person to assist to stimulate the search reflex. 
     
     
         58 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein once the search reflex has been activated the tip of the spout can be introduced through the teeth of the person and placed on the tongue. 
     
     
         59 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein once the suck reflex is activated food can be introduced on to the posterior aspect of the tongue in a controlled way. 
     
     
         60 . The geriatric feeding cup according to claim  1 , wherein use of the search reflex, suck reflex and swallow reflex enables an elderly patient to feed easily and safely with optimal airway protection in place. 
     
     
         61 . A method of use of a geriatric feeding cup for feeding liquid to an elderly person, the feeding cup including a substantially rigid cup including at least one wall, the cup being adapted to receive the liquid, a lid for the cup to retain the liquid therein, and a long wide spout made of a soft pliable material suitable to dispense thickened liquid food, the method including the steps of:
 a) filling the geriatric feeding cup with liquid;   b) using the tip of the geriatric feeding cup to stimulate the mouth of the patient to activate the search reflex;   c) introducing the tip of the spout through the teeth on to the tongue of the person;   d) moving the tip of the spout gently backwards and forwards on the tongue to stimulate the suck reflex;   e) depositing liquid on the posterior aspect of the tongue, once the suck reflex is activated, to activate a safe swallow reflex, feeding the person.   
     
     
         62 . The method of claim  18 , wherein the geriatric feeding cup is the geriatric feeding cup of claim  1 . 
     
     
         63 . The method of according to claim  18 , including the additional step of:
 wetting the tip of the spout of the geriatric feeding cup before stimulating the mouth of the patient.   
       and or measured position of the opening of the waste outlet.