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SoTired1 Asked May 2016

Where to find a "cup" that my mother can use at night to drink water while she is in bed?

She gets dry mouth. She won't use the dry mouth sprays. We have used bed side cups with lids and straws jutting out like they use in hospitals. She falls asleep before putting them back on the night stand and they seep water all over her and the bed. I have tried numerous brands of baby sippy cups but they require a stiff sucking motion. I have tried other "carry/travel" models but they all seem to have some sort of mechanism that requires opening and closing which she can not do with her arthritic fingers -- and besides, she falls back asleep forgetting to close the mechanism. Today, I tried a "Sassy" brand cup with a different type of top but again it required a sucking motion which she can not accomplish. Currently, I am trying a "Contigo" brand cup with a push button on the side that releases the cover on a small opening. She does not have to suck on it, but she has trouble wrapping her hand around the bottle and pushing the button with her 3 fingers.

exkayaker Feb 2018
I don't use a cup at all--very inefficient. I use a bottle with a screw top. If I or my domestic partner accidentally knocks it over, no problem. Water only rarely gets out, and then only a few drops.

Babyruth Feb 2018
I work in LTC and one of my residents uses a plastic ketchup bottle! They are easy to hold and just need to squeeze a little bit to get some water !!!!

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Llamalover47 Feb 2018
needhope: Those flavored sticks are a Godsend when you're in the ER and your mouth is as dry as the Saraha!

OldSailor Feb 2018
thank you AnneChung.I will give that look.
I think there is replacement valve tht is more of a squirter that will not leak.

AnneChung Feb 2018
OldSailor, check the valves as they are different softness/pressure. My CamelBack replacement valve was softer than the original. A big outdoor supply store would have a variety. Bite valves for straws are also sold separately as a replacement item.

OldSailor Feb 2018
AnneChung, that is what I was just thinking. One like platypus. But bite valves are very difficult to bite on with false teeth. But I think they make a manual valve of some sort for them.

AnneChung Feb 2018
Water bladder or bottle for hiking, they have bite valves.  Amazon.com

needhope Jan 2018
The little sponge on a stick that comes in a few flavors ...it is like a lolly pop but it is moist and comes in individual sealed packets. You could open up a few and put them in a cup with a very small amount of water by her bedside. Ask a medical supply store or pharmacy about these.

JLyn69 Dec 2017
I think you said she does not like sprays but you might consider Biotene's dry mouth gel. They also make a dry mouth rinse - could use a little of that before bed, and then a bit of the gel. Not the same as water, but might help.

Plips71755 Oct 2017
Try somewhere like https://www.especialneeds.com/shop/daily-living-aids/dining-aids/cups-drinking-aids.html

I just did a search:

There are many companies like this that sell health aids for rehab patients, nirsing homes, etc. Also what about a cup like you get in hospital, or even a no spill coffee cup or a bottle with screw top. It sounds a little silly, but you can glue and tape the top to a string tied around and glued to bottle so it won’t get separated and lost if she accidently drops. Either way, I’m sure you will find what you need. You can check with a local nursing home...go by and ask to talk to therapy department. You might just get blown off by a receptionist or nurse. Also, every city has health needs and equipment companies that sell all sorts of equipmemt, diapers, bed pads, oxygen, etc. etc. Usually even if they don’t sell dishes cups such as what you need, they will have catalogs. Also, you can contact Medicare, go online and check for vendors of medical equipmemt in your area. Hope this help someone. Another option is a children’s home/hospital for handicap or mentally challenged adults. They all use the same types of companies. I will tell you if you just browse the internet and look through the products you will find all kinds of good things to make life easier. I love my grandmother’s reacher, andsock/hose assistance device, and shower devices to put location on your back . You will find things that you didn’t knkw you needed. Even look for companies like this (nursing home and rehab, wheelchair, elderly clothing). Items with no zippers, buttons - just snaps or velcro. Items (shirts, gowns, etc.) that don’t require going over head and having to struggle with them getting their arms up. It is just amazing. You will find things that work for even the younger group. I love the sturdy sheets and 100% cottom blankets that hospitals and ambulances use. Hospital supply companies will sell aong with gloves etc. They are made to be washed in 180degree water as required for sanitation every day so they will last in the home forever without shrinking or pilling. I have some I have had for 30years and still are fine.

DeborahD Jun 2017
sold on: thegrommet
No-Spill Nightlight Cup

$16.95

Materials: Plastic, silicone, and LED Light
Care: Top-rack dishwasher safe. Please note: Litepack battery piece must be removed before washing
Features automatic, built-in light sensor
On and off functions
Rated for 200 hours or 3 months of regular use per battery
Uses a CR2032 battery
Fluid capacity: 11 oz.
Made in China
Dimensions: 6" x 3" D
Weight: 0.25 lb.

Llamalover47 Jun 2017
Funny story here--my late mother would say "I'm in my 78th year" when she was still 77! I said to her that I wasn't going to jump my age my up a year until I got there! The amusement of elders=strange!

kdzgon Jun 2017
I know the original question is old, but what about a camelbak or similar? It is a water reservoir usually used when hiking or running, etc. They have a mouthpiece where you have to bite down to drink - no sucking required. If one falls asleep, the pressure will release and the valve will close. You can hang the backpack on the side of the bed so it is out of the way. This way, the person only has to reach for the tube - if there is a bed rail, you can attach it to that. If not, it can be attached to a bed sheet with a large safety pin (think kilt or 60s skirt closure), velcro (jersey sheets) etc.

RayLinStephens Jun 2017
Sotired asked this a year ago but since I just found a cup for my DH, I am going to post for anyone else needing it.

Found it at Walmart.com and it's called a Vac-Flow and it was the cheapest one of it's kind at the walmart site. Quite a bit higher at Amazon. With the $3 s&h, it is still only Ableware 745850000 Flo-Trol Vacuum Feeding Cup and $7.14 plus the S&H = $10.14

Dad_Was_Robbed May 2017
It's a good idea to have a container big enough to hold enough water that she'll need all night because you never know how many times she'll need it. Small containers don't hold much and need frequent refills. Bigger containers hold more and can last through the night. The bigger the container the better. What you can do is find something that won't tip over for starters. Depending on your set up will depend on what your options are. For me, I have a nice hospital table by the bedside with a nice big thermos on top of it. You can make custom straws out of hose but not just any hose. It must be clear and have no residue in it if you use a very tall container. Some of those openings in the lid can take some pretty nice straws but you can make them custom out of hose. My current container has a permanently flexible clear rubber hose that goes down through the spout on the lid. What's nice about this is it's a Doublewide spout so I can put the hose down through the one side of it and when I'm done sipping I could put the other end right beside it in the other side of the spout and not have to worry about my water siphoning out. The size of my hose is about the size of aquarium hose, you can buy new aquarium hose where aquarium supplies are sold. These may ferry good remote straws if you use the same thing I use. Another thing you can use is the hoses that they hook up water service under your sink with. I had Culligan water years ago and they had a super heavy duty plastic hose to hook up they're filtering reservoir to the plumbing. I still have some of that hose because it's designed just for water. That particular type of material makes excellent custom straws

Mojorox May 2017
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet or you have found a solution....
How about a hydra-pak that fit into backpacks for hikers etc. It's basically a water bag with a long tube you suck out ofa straw. Place the filled hydra-pak in a bucket ( or what ever) to keep it upright on the floor by or under the head of the bed. Run the tube up the head of the bed attaching to headboard and clip the end to the corner of the pillow. Your mom should be able to turn her head and take a sip hands free if needed. We made our own version in a pinch one time using a large cup but it did the trick at the time.

worried13 Apr 2017
I too recommend sippy cup, works great but to save dignity we call it the special cup that bike riders use that will not spill.

GivingItMyAll Apr 2017
Look at the website for ARK Therapy. They have a few good options. I especially liked the straws with one way valves so the liquid doesn't fall back down when the sucking stops. I used the bottle with a screw on lid that you could  squeeze the sides and pump the drink up the straw. I used their products with mom when she was bedbound and had lost her strength to suck.

Llamalover47 Apr 2017
Lucky: Good idea=medical supply store.

Sendhelp Apr 2017
Well, all that Sippy Cup 360 Miracle Cup fanfare was fun. Almost a year later, the cup has been unused all that time because my broken collar bone healed, and my arm is no longer sore.

When my aunt became bed bound, she preferred the colored bottles with a sports cap, open and close, it pours, sucking not necessary.

AmyGrace Apr 2017
I wonder if you could modify a sippy cup by making a hole in the lid, opposite the "sippy" part. That should allow air into it and make it flow more easily? (sort of like cans before pull tops - you had to make two holes in the top with a can opener to get it to pour.

luckylu Apr 2017
Have you checked at a Medical supply store? I found a cup there with handles on both sides and a lid with a hole for a straw to go through and I always used the flexible straws that bend.It had a nice sturdy bottom,clear plastic.Good luck finding one that works for you.

NightOwl Apr 2017
Have a handy person help you create a long straw from silicone tubing. This is what I would do. Find a way to anchor a water bottle or container to the bedframe or floor. The bottle or container must have a small hole in the lid the same size as the tubing. You can buy the tubing at a medical supply, or even at a large hardware store by the foot. You'll need a couple of feet. Put the tube in the bottle and clip or tape the other end to the bed sheet or pillow case where she can easily find it. Now the tube will need to be the right size, not too big or too small to suck water through. And not so long to make sucking too hard for her. This may work.

anonymous281963 Jun 2016
Cute saying: Pushing 70, my friend says that too about pushing 80. They are the ones who get out more often than I can.

M88, You are not too young to be a 360 member?

anonymous281963 Jun 2016
Llama, Looking backwards to the good ole days, when I first noticed the skin on my arms could look like crepe paper if not moisturized, and back when retirement age brought Medicare-and their ability to deny claims interfered with any good doctor/patient relationships I had back then, and now 68, when having enough extra funds for a housekeeper would help me to get out, enjoy life more. I have just never been one to lie about my age, but I just really only ever want to say from now on, I am over 65.

Llamalover47 Jun 2016
Send: Oh, good, because you scared me when you said "maybe I will be requiring a housekeeper or caregiver soon." Oh good grief, send, I'm "pushing 70." I'm 69! And you?1

anonymous281963 Jun 2016
Nah, Llamalover, I can still clean my own sheets, fill my own sippy cup with water, (except if I could drink, Vodka may take away the plastic flavor); and wipe my own-well, I can ambulate to the toilet as well as drive, fry up the bacon in a pan-but it takes two of us to go shopping. No, not that old, but I have friends 75 and 80 who get more done in a day, have more of a life. But then, we're not supposed to compare ourselves to others, right?
How about you-not that old?

Llamalover47 Jun 2016
Send: Whatever works...if you like a plain 360 cup, go for it!

Llamalover47 Jun 2016
Send: Oh no! You'll require a caregiver soon? You're not that old, right?

Mulata88 Jun 2016
I am a very big fan of Hello Kitty!

So, when I get ready to order the 360 cup from Amazon,

that's the one mom will have. She likes Sponge Bob,

thinking that he is a little piece of cheese....... haha, yep!

M 8 8

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