Do you know anyone who suffers from dysphagia? (Do you what that is?)

A listener, John Stewart, wrote to tell me about this gadget. He has an elderly parent who can’t swallow large pills and isn’t strong enough to grind them up by hand. So he did a web search and found the VitaCarry Handheld Power Pill Grinder. It’s for people who suffer from dysphagia. That is the medical name which describes people who have difficulty swallowing. (It’s easy to confuse with dysphasia, which very loosely defined applies to people who have difficulty speaking.) The VitaCarry Power Pill Grinder is battery operated so it easier to use and more convenient than a conventional pill crusher, an old fashioned mortar and pestle, or a hand-powered pill grinder. You just have to push a single button, so it’s easy to use for adults, children, or even pets who have trouble swallowing large pills. You can either grind the pills into a small holding container attached to the unit, or you can remove the container and grind pills straight into food or beverages. If a pill is very big, it will have to be broken in two so it fits into the grinding chamber. The grinding cartridge is easily removed for cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher. The VitaCarry electronic pill grinder is about the size of a pack of playing cards so you can take it on the go. It requires 3 AAA batteries which some places include and some don’t. Under $30. 

http://www.vitacarry.com/ 

I haven’t bought anything here, but this place sells it for under $24, cheaper if you buy two: http://www.bluffcitywholesale.com/php/products.php?prod_id=439D 

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1074