Thermomix Blog

Since I have had a Thermomix funded for a client through an insurance scheme request, I’ve been reflecting on some of the great ways that occupational therapists support people to be independent in the kitchen. For example, when people have physical or cognitive challenges, we can use assistive technology (AT) to really overcome any limitations. Introducing AT that helps people to do things for themselves is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job. With independence and purpose comes great dignity!

Many clients who I work with have shown me how a Thermomix has made a huge difference in their lives. Here are a few examples of how people used them to be more independent in the kitchen, overcoming challenges like vision and cognitive impairments, fatigue, and physical limitations.

• I work with a woman with vision impairment that is gradually getting worse. She demonstrated how well she could do things in the kitchen independently using the TM6 (the most recent model with a large screen). Through using the Wifi enabled Cookido with step by step instructions, she connects to Google Home and it reads the recipe instructions. It is a safer way for her to cook than traditional methods, so she doesn’t have to use sharp knives, or carry pots of hot water when it’s hard for her to see where to put them. It also weighs her ingredients and can boil water like a kettle. This is an essential part of her life, and she said couldn’t cook without it
  
• Another lady I know with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) bought one and said that it’s changed her life. Due to MS, she gets tired easily, is losing fine motor movements (in her hands and fingers), has problems with balance, and struggles to stand to cook by the end of the day. As a single mum, she needs to feed her children but struggled to feed them anything but frozen meals she could cook in the oven. She tried the Thermomix and is now able to do more cooking and baking for her family while saving energy. The Thermomix gives instructions for the steps to complete, and once you set it up it will complete that section. For her, it means that she doesn’t need to stand at a stove stirring or spend time cutting up vegetables. She can follow many recipes that she can set up and walk away, and let the Thermomix do the physical work.
  
• A third woman I know was in a car accident and had orthopedic injuries and a mild traumatic brain injury. She had a lot of difficulties returning to cooking the way that she used to and had to rely on others for this. Despite trying low-cost adaptive aids and retraining, there were still a lot of things that she wasn’t able to safely do by herself. Since getting a Thermomix she can do most tasks by herself, and it also helps her to plan the weekly shopping list through Cookido, an app on her phone. It has removed many of the safety hazards she was experiencing, giving her the freedom to get back to cooking again.
  

As an occupational therapist, I think it’s worthwhile for people to trial a Thermomix if there are any limitations stopping them from doing things in the kitchen. I’ve been particularly impressed with the latest version, the TM6, which has many great features that support people with physical and

cognitive limitations. It can also work well for people with vision impairment, however, further assessment is recommended to assess risk factors like cognition, skill level, the type of vision impairment, kitchen layout, and other safety measures. There are no updates yet on whether future Thermomix models will read aloud on-screen instructions, but for now, it is good to know you can have audio recipes with 3rd party units like Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

It is not guaranteed that a Thermomix will be funded by any funding bodies, but it is worth knowing how it can help change lives. A trial period is recommended when putting in an application for this to a funding body, to help provide good evidence of its effectiveness. It can be a cost-effective solution worth exploring, even though it is not the cheapest model of these devices on the market. Integration of accessible features to support people with disabilities can make it a reasonable and necessary request. The Thermomix could become a cost-effective argument if you can demonstrate how support worker hours can be reduced through good AT, and how other similar devices do not provide the accessibility features built into the device.

Let’s help all people who want to be able to enjoy cooking, to promote dignity and independence. Your personal circumstances can be discussed with your functional support team, including your occupational therapist, who can assist you with an assistive technology assessment. (And there’s probably a Thermomix consultant near you if you want to see if a Thermomix could work for you!)

**Many thanks to my clients who inspire me by the way they keep pushing the envelope of possibility despite the disability. They are so willing to share how they’ve overcome challenges in their lives so that others can learn from their experiences.