Drinking Aids

Adequate fluid intake is one of the greatest challenges in caring for elderly and restricted patients. Drinking aids such as sippy cups and handled drinking cups enable independent drinking and help prevent dehydration. HaseMed offers ergonomically designed drinking aids tailored to the needs of care recipients and their carers.

Sippy Cups: Variants and Applications

Sippy cups (also called spouted cups or feeder cups) are the most commonly used drinking aid in care settings. They feature a spout-shaped attachment that enables controlled drinking while lying down or with restricted head movement. HaseMed sippy cups are available in several versions:

• Small lid opening (5 mm): For thin liquids such as water, tea, or juice. The reduced flow prevents choking in patients with swallowing disorders (dysphagia).
• Large lid opening (12 mm): For thick liquids, soups, or thickened fluids. Allows a stronger fluid flow.
• Various colours: Colour coding simplifies assignment in care facilities — e.g. blue for water, red for tea. This minimises the risk of mix-ups during drink distribution.

Drinking Cups with Two Handles

Drinking cups with two side handles offer patients with limited fine motor skills or tremor a secure grip. Both hands can stabilise the cup, significantly reducing the risk of spilling. The HaseMed drinking cup holds approximately 250 ml and is light enough to be held by weakened patients.

What to Look For When Buying

• Material: Shatterproof plastic (polypropylene or polycarbonate), BPA-free and food-grade.
• Dishwasher safety: Essential for hygienic reprocessing in care facilities. All HaseMed drinking aids are dishwasher-safe.
• Handle ergonomics: Wide, non-slip handles that are easy to grip even with wet hands.
• Leak resistance: A well-sealing lid prevents spills if the cup is accidentally tilted.
• Capacity: 200 to 300 ml is ideal — large enough for adequate fluid intake but not so heavy that the patient is overwhelmed.

Drinking aids are only effective when used correctly and maintained regularly. The following tips help you ensure safe and comfortable hydration for your patients.

Correct Positioning During Drinking

Where possible, bring the patient to a slightly upright position (at least 30° upper body elevation). This facilitates swallowing and reduces the risk of aspiration. Hold the sippy cup so that the spout points towards the patient's lower lip and let the patient set their own drinking pace.

• With swallowing disorders: Use sippy cups with a small opening and let the patient take small sips. Pauses between sips reduce the risk of choking.
• With tremor: Two-handled drinking cups offer more stability. Only fill the cup halfway to reduce weight.
• When bedridden: A straw attachment (if available) can supplement the sippy cup when the patient cannot raise their head sufficiently.

Ensuring Adequate Fluid Intake

Elderly people often have a reduced sense of thirst. Offer drinks regularly — at least every two hours. Document fluid intake to ensure adequate hydration (typically 1.5 to 2 litres per day). The colour coding of HaseMed sippy cups simplifies assignment and documentation in care facilities.

Cleaning and Hygiene

HaseMed drinking aids are fully dismantlable and dishwasher-safe. For daily cleaning, we recommend:

• After each use: Rinse cup and lid with warm water. Remove milk residue or soup remnants immediately.
• Dishwasher: Wash all parts in the upper rack at a maximum of 65 °C. Do not use aggressive detergents or abrasive cleaners.
• Disinfection: In care facilities, daily disinfection with a plastic-compatible surface disinfectant is recommended.
• Inspection: Regularly check the spout, lid, and handles for cracks or discolouration. Replace damaged parts immediately.

Durability and Replacement

Replace sippy cups and drinking cups when they show cracks, significant discolouration, or deformation. In care facilities, replacement every 6 to 12 months is recommended, depending on usage intensity. HaseMed drinking aids are made from durable polypropylene and retain their shape even with intensive use.

Drinking aids for medical and care use are subject to specific quality and safety requirements. Understanding the relevant regulations helps in selecting suitable products.

EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004: Food Contact Materials

Drinking aids come into direct contact with beverages and food. They must therefore comply with the European regulation on food contact materials. This means that no harmful substances may be transferred to the drink. HaseMed drinking aids are made from food-grade, BPA-free polypropylene and are approved for repeated contact with hot and cold beverages.

EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011: Plastics in Food Contact

This implementing regulation specifies the requirements for plastic materials that come into contact with food. It sets migration limits for individual substances and prescribes a total migration maximum of 10 mg/dm². HaseMed plastic drinking aids are tested against these limits and fully comply with the requirements.

DIN EN ISO 13485: Quality Management

Drinking aids classified as medical devices or assistive devices fall under the requirements of DIN EN ISO 13485. This standard demands seamless quality management from design to delivery, including validation of manufacturing processes, control of materials used, and documentation of product specifications.

Expert Standard for Nutrition Management (DNQP)

The expert standard on "Nutrition Management for Securing and Promoting Oral Nutrition in Nursing" from the German Network for Quality Development in Nursing (DNQP) recommends the targeted use of drinking aids for patients with nutritional and fluid deficits. Care facilities are encouraged to develop individual hydration plans and provide suitable aids.

Assistive Devices Directory (GKV-Spitzenverband)

Drinking aids such as sippy cups and special drinking cups can, under certain conditions, be reimbursed by statutory health insurance in Germany. They are listed in the assistive devices directory under product group 02 (adaptation aids). A medical prescription documenting the medical need is required.