Crockery and dinnerware solutions

This section covers – plates with rims, partitions and collars. For more dinnerware and eating aids please use the menu to the left.

Using crockery and dinnerware can pose problems as we get older or if we start to encounter difficulty preparing and eating food. However, there are many solutions that can make eating a simple process, even for those with reduced mobility, reduced dexterity, or people who eat with one hand.

Plates with high rims, collars or partitions

There are a number of plate and dish options that are designed for those who find eating a challenge. These plates have higher than normal rims and some can be sloped or angled towards the person using them. Both of these features reduce the likelihood of food escaping the plate and they also make it easier to get the food on to a spoon or a fork.

The combination of a high outer rim and a sloping base make it easier to trap food against the plate's sides and this in turn makes it easier to get the food on to the utensil. These plates may have a non slip base coating to aid the way in which they are used.

Plates of this kind do not look unusual or odd and they can complement any diner service or place setting.

For an even more exaggerated version of the high rimmed plate there is the bowl which makes "scooping" food up from the high side rims even easier.

Partitioned plates and dishes

A partitioned plate will typically see a dish like plate with high rims and partitions within the plate that allow (usually three) different food types to be kept separate within the plate.

This type of plate can serve a number of purposes ranging from preventing alternative foods from mixing to making it easier to get food on to the spoon or fork (by using the partition side walls).

Partition plates can be made of plastic and they often have clip on lids that keep the food secure and hot when being carried from the preparation area to the eating area.

Plate collar

A plate collar (or surround) is an alternative to a high rimmed plate. The collar fits on to a standard plate using clips and provides a continuous vertical edge around the food.

This makes it easy to get the food on to a spoon or fork by pushing the food up against vertical collar. Some plate collars are continuous whilst other encompass two thirds to three quarters of the plate’s perimeter.