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How to safely carry hot food

Scooby222

Does anyone have any good tips on how to safely carry a hot ready meal when using a walking frame? I have a weak left side and poor balance, and can't carry stuff on a tray.

My husband is soon going to be in hospital for 3 weeks and he's the one who usually carries trays, takes food in and out of the oven etc. I have come up with some strategies to cope while on my own - like buying a wide-neck thermos jar to transport soups and pot noodles etc, but I'd like to be able to have microwaveable ready meals as well, and they are more awkward to carry. There is nowhere to sit and eat in our kitchen, so I have to carry food through to the living room which is the tricky bit.

Last time he was in hospital for 4 days I mostly just ate cheese and biscuits, as I could slide a melamine plate, knife, packet of crackers, and a couple of babybels or Philadelphia minis into the bag on my walker - but that is probably not going to be enough sustenance for 3 whole weeks!

Any suggestions?

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Comments

Kimi87

Which walking frame do you have?

Many have attachable trays.

Or would something like this be suitable?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NRS-Healthcare-Helper-Trolley-Eligible/dp/B07C59SR4Q?th=1

Lou67

@Scooby222
Good morning I’m sorry to hear your husband is going into hospital.
Why don’t you contact the Social Work Dept and ask them if you need can get a Health Needs Assessment done they will send a Occupational Therapist out and see what kind off help yous need.

Before I went into hospital to get my knee replacement done they came out and recommended a trolly with a rest at the tip and also the bottom, I had previously got an electric bath seat and grab rails fitted which I still have to use both things have been a lifesaver for me.

I hope you manage to get it sorted and good luck when your husband goes into hospital.

❤️

Dendoo

I’m

A stander but can you eat at the bench it was made from? X

HappyDays62

Hi, when my husband was away for a week, I ate my meals in the kitchen as I could sit on my perch stool. Not ideal but free and easy!

dreamwarrior

When my wife/carer was in hospital I had the council send in people 3 times a day to ensure i had meals and was ok, i requested a care need assessment. Even after my wife was discharged after her op they still came around for a couple of weeks to help. I am very independent but was appreciative of the short term help. Maybe an option while your husband is not around

https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services

Scooby222

Thank you for the replies so far.

I am very wary of requesting a Health Needs Assessment, as I don't know what this entails and I don't want to have another assessment. I still have the shudders from my PIP Atos assessment 10 years ago, which felt like I was attending my own autopsy!

What is a Health Needs Assessment like?

dreamwarrior

Hi,

Its not like PIP or WCA, all they did was send a woman around and had a chat with both the wife and me. Organised an occupational therapist to call round (admittedly was well after my wife was in hospital) but they are busy.

The social discussed the level of care needed, and listened to what would suit us best to help. I also ended up with a lifeline as Im prone to passing out. You control what level of help is needed and I found the whole experience to be helpful and not stressful. Yes it means you have people coming into your house but for me they were the only option as our family are not close to help. A care plan was drawn up and they have strict rules to adhere to. They came in, stayed around 30 mins 4 times a day and made sure I had drink and meals. We did cheat by buying microwave meals but the team would make these then wash up after. Ive just been through tribunal for PIP so its no where near as stressful as that has been.

I thought I would be able to cope but not afraid to ask for some help.. When we were back self supporting we just contacted them and they stopped the service.. My mother in law also had this when she was end of life care and they would always be polite and caring.

Best regards

dreamwarrior

sorry it was 3 times a day for me, My mother in law was 4 times a day to put her to bed.

dreamwarrior

We had very little notice of my wife's cancer operation, was only 4 days and the care team rushed through to get the support needed to help me. The lifeline and keylock were installed 2 days after the initial phone call. Occupational therapy have been since and I now have a bath lift, shower stools, electric bed, various perching stools, a table on wheels and other items to help me daily. The whole experience has been very helpful as buying these items can be very costly, especially when they can be loaned for free for the duration.

Sorry for so many replies, part of my condition is brain fog and i forget things easily..

Kimi87

Also you don't have to go through social services if you would be able to pay yourself for home visits- you could simply start by contacting a few care agencies and discuss what it is you are looking for.

GalDriver

A walking frame with tray/s on would be great but I'd recommend getting one with brakes so it a) doesn't run away from you and b) you can lock it and use it as your table when you sit. Good luck.

Ostia

Sorry to hear that your husband will be away and you will have to fend for yourself…..

The Red Cross sometimes has volunteers who can come to your home to help out and they also have a post hospital service (including cheap hire of a wheelchair if needed) which may help your husband when he returns? The Red Cross helps people in the UK, not just abroad.

The trolley on wheels which people have suggested sounds reallly good, too.

All the best to you both.

Steve_in_The_City

@Scooby222 I had the same problem - carrying food out of the kitchen. I bought a frame with 4 wheels and 2 trays and it fixed the problem.

http://www.careco.co.uk/homehelp-trolley/

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