Helpful Aids and Tips for Managing Essential Tremor

What is Essential Tremor (ET)?

Let’s start with what it’s not. Essential Tremor is NOT Parkinson’s Disease. It isn’t life threatening and doesn’t cause any serious health problems. However, it can interfere with daily life and require adaptation.

ET is a nervous system and brain disorder that causes shaking. It can also be called a kinetic, familial, benign, or hereditary tremor.

These tremors most often affect the hands but can also occur in other parts of the body. It can cause your head to shake up-and-down or side-to-side. Your voice might sound shaky when speaking or your eyelids may appear to twitch. Though less common, tremors in your core or legs can affect your balance and the way you walk.

Shaking is usually worse when you are doing a task. For example, tying shoelaces, eating food, writing notes, or shaving can cause “action tremors”. More rarely, “tremors at rest” can occur when you aren’t doing anything. Stress, tiredness, caffeine, and extreme temperatures could worsen your symptoms.

There are products that can help you cope with action tremors. These tools help lessen the shaking so you can do everyday tasks.

Assistive Aids for Essential Tremor

Dining

• Weighted utensils can reduce tremors when eating.
• The Sure Grip Weighted Utensils have ribbed, built-up handles, allowing for a better grasp and more control of the utensil.
• Another great option is Sammons Preston Stainless Steel Weighted Utensils. The elegant stainless steel blends in with standard cutlery. The indentation on each handle allows the user to place their fingers in an ergonomic and comfortable position.
• Prevent spills with this revolutionary option. The ELISpoon is counter-weighted so the bowl stays level even with shaky hands

• Plate guards stop food from spilling off the plate.
  • Clip on this Invisible Food Guard to prevent your meal from falling off the plate when it is being scooped. The guard provides a backboard making it easier to get food onto your fork or spoon.

• Dining Kits offer a variety of products for an easy all-in-one solution.
  • Use a Weighted Dining Set to increase independence and reduce spills. It includes a EZ Large Grip Weighted Utensil Set, Non-Slip Dycem Pad, Clip-On Food Guard, and Insulated Weighted Cup.

• The Hi-D Paring Board has four rubber suction feet that will securely hold it in place on a countertop or table while in use.
  • Features two aluminum spikes to hold food for peeling and slicing. The corner guard is designed to keep food from sliding off the board during food preparation, such as spreading butter or cutting bread.

• Dishes designed with a high rim help scoop food onto utensils.
  • Featuring a 1 ¾-inch high side wall, the High Sided Dish helps scoop the food with a fork or spoon along the bottom and trap it against the side wall. This allows for the use of only one hand while scooping food onto eating utensils and prevents spills.

• Straws make drinking easier and help limit spills.
  • Sip with less effort using these straws. A one-way valve keeps the liquid at the top when the straw is removed from the user’s lips.
  • Hold on easily to the Clear Two-Handle, 12 oz. Mug. An anti-splash lid helps prevent spills and the cup has both high and low flow options.

Tips

• When holding a small cup, place your thumb along the rim and your fingers along the bottom
• At restaurants, ask for your soup to be served in a mug.
• Have someone help you when going through a buffet.

Writing

• Weighted pens and pencils can reduce shaking and improve handwriting legibility.
• The weighted pen reduces fatigue while increasing muscle strength. It can also help prevent muscle cramps.

• Write better with a Pencil Weight. The grip secures with VELCRO brand hook and loop to any pen or pencil. The ¼ lb. weight could even be used on a toothbrush.

Tips

• Print instead of writing in cursive script.
• Writing in small letters is easier than large ones.
• Rest your forearm on the table while writing for more support.

Wrist Weights for Everyday Tasks

• Weights on the hand and wrist can lessen tremors and improve function. The exact weight needed depends if your tremor is mild or severe. Contact your doctor to find out the recommended weight for your tremor.
• Great for use when writing or eating, Functional Hand Weights help control shaking hands. The pair is available in four weights.
• TheraBand Ankle and Wrist Weight Sets have a soft terry cloth interior. Weight cuffs reduce tremors so you can live your life with fewer frustrations.

Tips

• Shaking hands can make getting dressed hard. Fasten buttons with ease using a Weighted Button Hook and slip into shoes without tying them using Tylastic Shoelaces.

• Use an electric razor while shaving.
• Apply makeup (mascara, eye liner, lipstick…) by resting your finger or palm on your face to steady your hand.
• Use a telephone with large buttons or a cell phone with voice activated calling.
• Set your computer to ignore double strikes on the keyboard and double clicks on the mouse by changing your settings. Go to the laptop’s Control Panel and then Accessibility Options.

You’re not alone, there are more than 200,000 cases of Essential Tremor in the US each year. The shaking can be frustrating, but these assistive aids can help you accomplish everyday tasks.

Essential Tremors vs. Parkinson’s Disease

ET is eight times more common than Parkinson’s but commonly misdiagnosed. This chart offers a “cheat sheet” of the major differences between the two.

Need help telling the difference? Watch this quick video.

References
Differences Between Essential Tremor and Parkinson's Disease - Topic Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://wb.md/2SCUu9U

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.