Teasmade or themos flask for frail lady?

shandyclover

Yesterday I spoke to my 96 year old grandma who lives about 2 hours drive away from me. Her legs have begun to fail her and she is now walking with a frame. She has a carer come in twice a day, but says what she misses most is a hot cup of tea, as by the time she makes the tea in the kitchen and gets back to her chair, it is cold (as far back as I can remember grandma has always insisted on piping hot tea, you knew as soon as you made it to take it to her, pronto!) I am trying to think of a solution for her. My initial thoughts were to buy a catering style thermos with a push button like this...
http://www.buyhousehold.co.uk/products/380-buy-5-litre-hot-drinks-flask-cheap-thermos-flask-for-catering-home.aspx
and set it up on a tray by her chair with milk, teabags, sugar etc. That way the carer could just make sure it's full of hot water before she leaves. Someone else mentioned a teasmade? I've never seen one nor do I know how it works, but would this be better? I'm also concerned I don't create a danger. She once broke both wrists so her hands are not very good at opening screw tops etc.

[Deleted User]

Would it be suitable to suggest a small electric kettle and teabags on a small table beside her with a jug of cold water and some milk in an insulated jug? that way she could make tea fresh whenever she wanted it and it would be as hot as she likes it too. The small kettles hold around 3/4 of a pint so shouldn't be too heavy for her to lift. A small bowl for the used teabags and she needn't move from the comfort of her armchair. Hope that's useful, Lyn xxx.

whitewing

Could you phone and ask the carer for ideas? They will know your grandma and will also see what other clients use?

carriebradshaw

what about one of those one cup kettles ? We have one in our bedroom to save going through to the cold kitchen every time we want a drink at night time & first thing in the morning.We have it sat on top of a chest of draws on a tea tray.In the top draw we keep sugar and teabags in plastic tubs and a pot for used bags then all we have to do every night is make sure we've got clean cups/mugs a small jug of fresh milk and a large plastic jug we use to refill the kettle with fresh water. It's worked out great for us.

carefullycautious

Ther are these on the market, she does need assessing by an occupational therapist to make sure she is safe using one

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/kitchen-aids/kettle-tippers/

There are also cup elements or what about heating cup in microwave. As with everything I can't reiterate enough that she needs assessing to make sure she will be safe as scalding is a major issue

shandyclover

She seems fine using a kettle normally, she has been looking after herself entirely and was even driving until 6 mos ago. She has only had a carer in the morning for the past month, mainly to help her in and out of the bath. Making the tea does not seem to be the problem, just getting it back to her favourite chair. Because of the way the house is laid out she has to walk the entire length of the kitchen and living room, she says it takes about 15 mins, by which time her tea is cold. I will try to find out a bit more, but it is a delicate situation and my granny is fiercely independent!

whitewing

Would it maybe be easier/safer if the kitchen is reorganised so that she can comfortably drink a hot drink there eg a TV and comfy chair?

Or reorganise the living room so the chair and TV are at the kitchen end of it?

Or a combination of the above and the other suggestions.

Pitlanepiglet

Mother in law has a tipper and a small kettle. I have to say that it's almost impossible to get the OT out around here and MIL is 93!

Alternatively would it help her to have a walking trolley rather than a stick - Dad has one of these from when he had his hips done, would that make her any quicker and make it easier to carry the tea?

What about those instant hot water boilers - are they called Quickcup? I'm not sure how hot they get the water though.

Gigervamp

What about an insulated cup? Like the ones you get for taking coffee on the go.

WishICouldFindMySlippers

Gigervamp wrote: »

What about an insulated cup? Like the ones you get for taking coffee on the go.

Got one of those for the missus out of the 99p shop a little while back. Keeps her tea piping hot for a good half hour. Nice flexy rubber lid on top as well so your grandma wouldn't have to fight with a twist lid

LameWolf

Personally I wouldn't go for a teasmade - I used to use one and had awful trouble with the water delivery pipe getting furred up. Admittedly we have extremely hard water, but it seemed to need descaling so often that in the end I got rid.