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Elaine74 Asked March 11, 2024

Best water bottle for bed-bound elder who chews through silicone mouthpieces?

The short of it is: We are searching for a water bottle that can be left in the "open" position without leaking when placed on its side, but the mouthpiece has to be strong enough to withstand an adult attempting to bite through it with their very strong, healthy teeth.


 


The long story: My MIL is a stroke patient, and is mostly bed-bound in a care facility. She's been using a Camelback kids sized water bottle that has a silicone mouthpiece that you bite on to open the top in order to drink out of it. That top works great for two reasons, one she doesn't have to manipulate the top to open it, and two when she leaves it laying on the bed next to her, it doesn't leak, or at least doesn't leak enough to noticeably wet the bed. However recently she has started biting through the middle of the mouthpiece, which creates a choking hazard. We can buy replacement mouthpieces, but she's starting to bite through them much faster than before, like once a week versus 1-2 months, and we can't be there every single day to monitor this because occasionally we like to take a vacation out of town for a few days. Also we can't rely on the nursing staff to catch it either because they're often overworked and not able to pay attention to details like that. Wondering if anyone has a ready solution before I spend a few hours and some $$$ researching a better solution?

Elaine74 Mar 18, 2024
Thank you for all your suggestions! While looking at the options a couple of you pointed me towards on Amazon, Amazon recommended the Tommee Tippee insulated sportee bottles (https://a.co/d/2ZcJEsd), which I'll also try in addition to the adult sippy.
Llamalover47 Mar 19, 2024
Elaine74: Thank you for your update.
Llamalover47 Mar 17, 2024
Elaine74: Amazon has a leak proof water bottle.

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CaringWifeAZ Mar 17, 2024
I buy kids Take & Toss 9 oz plastic cups with a snap on lid. They come with their own plastic straws, but I buy disposable flexible straws.
Or, since you are relying on nursing staff to manage - Paper disposable cups, with a ripple sleeve, which is easier for the patient to hold on to. Along with disposable plastic straws. Just ask the nursing staff to provide a fresh new cup every day, and throw away the used one. The ripple paper cups, ( I buy on Amazon), come with a snap on lid and the plastic straw fits through the hole in the top.
I know, I'm going to get a lot of flack for using disposable plastic straws.
Almost EVERY product you buy any more, and product packaging is made of plastic. While I try to reduce my use of plastic waste, I'm not going to feel guilty about using a product which significantly helps my limited mobility husband who has difficulty chewing and swallowing food, to get the nutrition he needs.

Ladykris Mar 17, 2024
I found this set on Amazon, it's the Suclain 3 pc. adult sippy cups with handles for elderly. It's worked good for my Mom with Alzheimers.

MACinCT Mar 11, 2024
A choking hazard that you describe is similar to aspiration pneumonia and swallowing issues. She needs full supervision with anything she drinks so that someone gives her verbal cues
Elaine74 Mar 11, 2024
To be more clear, the choking hazard that I'm speaking of is the possibility of my MIL biting all the way through part of the bite valve of the current water bottle that she uses, and having it break off in her mouth and accidentally swallowed. She needs to drink out of a water bottle because she doesn't have good enough motor control or strength in her one good arm to drink out of an open cup.
lealonnie1 Mar 11, 2024
I bought my mother an adult sippy cup:

https://a.co/d/32lBmxG

It's spill proof and easy to grip.

As far as MILs love of chewing goes, try getting her some Chewelry here:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=chewelry+for+adults&crid=1F89DDKSVN34K&sprefix=chewelry+for+adults%2Caps%2C650&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Look for extra tough Chewlery which is meant to withstand hard chewing.

Fidget toys are also quite useful for people who are bedbound. I love them myself.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fidget+toys+adults&crid=19TKFW9Z5MYJQ&sprefix=Fidget%2Caps%2C219&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_6

Good luck to you.
Elaine74 Mar 11, 2024
We have chewelry for my son that we are going to let her have a bite at. I'm going to check out the sippy you recommended. Thank you!

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