Occupational therapy student encourages mealtime independence and accessibility with new course
July 31, 2025
Helen Bandura, a doctorate student at the Spalding University Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy, spent the spring and summer at the Trager Institute developing course modules to teach adaptive techniques for mealtime independence to health care providers, caregivers and everyday cooks.
In this Q&A, she shares what got her interested in occupational therapy, her experience at Trager and why accessibility matters in mealtime activities.
What led to your interest in occupational therapy? What area of OT have you focused on?
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in a career that helps people, ultimately leading me to the healthcare field. However, it wasn't until 2019 that I found my true calling. That year, my grandfather underwent hip surgery and received physical and occupational therapies through home health. Like many others, I was unfamiliar with occupational therapy until witnessing its positive impact firsthand. This experience inspired me to explore the field further. Fast forward to 2022, I completed an internship for my undergraduate degree in various settings, which solidified my passion for occupational therapy.
I have diverse experiences within the profession, spanning skilled nursing facilities, pediatrics, hand therapy, and adult day programs. However, I have extensive experience working with children with autism and adults in inpatient rehabilitation.
What has your role been at the Trager Institute?
I spent 14 weeks at the Trager Institute completing my capstone project, during which I developed two educational modules within the organization’s Thinkific education system. One module was designed specifically for clients and caregivers, while the other targeted healthcare professionals. The goal of providing tailored courses for both healthcare professionals and clients/caregivers is to equip everyone on the care team with the knowledge and resources necessary to deliver holistic, well-rounded care.
The modules are titled:
1. Cooking with Confidence: Nutrition and Adaptive Techniques for Mealtime Independence for Healthcare Professionals
2. Cooking with Confidence: For Caregivers and Everyday Cooks. Access the course.
These modules aim to improve client participation in mealtime activities, fostering greater independence and enhancing the quality of life for the populations served by the organization. They provide essential knowledge and resources on adaptive techniques for mealtimes and the importance of nutrition.
Additionally, I created a comprehensive "one-stop shop" resource that consolidates the information on adaptive techniques presented in the modules, catering to the diverse needs of clients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Tell us about the Cooking with Confidence course and what you’ve learned from developing it.
Cooking with Confidence underscores the crucial connection between the ability to cook and eat healthy meals and preventing or managing chronic diseases. Research revealed alarming statistics about the prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States and their potential prevention through lifestyle changes. Viewing this issue through the lens of occupational therapy, I recognized that not everyone has the knowledge or the ability to cook and/or eat healthy meals. With this in mind, I explored various adaptive techniques, learning how to foster a more inclusive environment that enables individuals to enhance their overall health and well-being through greater participation in mealtime activities.
How do adaptive techniques help maintain one’s independence during cooking and eating? Why is this important?
As individuals age, especially those with chronic diseases, they may face various functional limitations that hinder their ability to engage in mealtime activities. These limitations can include reduced dexterity, limited fine motor control, weakened grip, and restricted upper extremity use, which can affect tasks like manipulating utensils, opening jars, or performing two-handed actions such as chopping. Additionally, fatigue, reduced stamina, and generalized weakness may prevent them from completing cooking tasks. To address these challenges, adaptive techniques such as assistive technology, energy conservation strategies, and environmental modifications can help compensate for limitations, fostering greater independence and participation in mealtime activities.
Independence and participation in cooking and eating are vital for several reasons. Research indicates that eating habits significantly influence health and are linked to various chronic diseases. Being able to prepare and enjoy nutritious meals increases the likelihood of obtaining essential nutrients from all food groups, therefore, reducing the risk of chronic disease development. Additionally, mealtimes have significant psychological and social implications for older adults. They provide vital opportunities for social connection, which can lead to positive effects on their overall well-being and quality of life.