Often it is the smallest changes that make the biggest difference in our lives. When we are faced with difficulties carrying out various tasks in our everyday lives it can be frustrating and at times get us down. There are thousands of products that help and enable us in everyday life, not just equipment for people with disability but also, if you think about it, food processors were designed to help make food quicker and easier or escalors in buildings are installed to help everyone get around with ease. However, equipment or adaptations are not always enough. Often we need to consider making small changes in our lives to carry out tasks differently so that we can do it ourselves.

The following are helpful hints, gathered over the years, which have assisted different people in different ways. The occupational therapists at Equipment for Independence Ltd have pulled together their years of experience to gather this information to assist and help you. This information will be forever expanding and if you have any helpful hints or tips that has helped you, and then please let us know by contacting us at comments@equipmentforindependence.com.

The hints are for guidance only, if unsure please contact your healthcare professional.

Lifestyle

When considering your day to day activities of daily living consider the 3 P’s, Preparation, Planning and Pacing. Ask yourself is there an easier way to do the task, for example can you collect all that you need to carry out the task to cut down on repeating movements. Pace yourself, doing what you can, when you can, is often very beneficial.

Dressing

When getting dressed and undressed gather all your items of clothing together and sit on the chair or bed to put them on. Dress the most affected side first and cross over to the less affected side.

Consider wearing trousers if you tend to wear a skirt, as this can be easier. Wearing pop socks can also be easier than tights to put on and take off.

Velcro shoes or slippers can also be very helpful if you have difficulties getting dressed, use with long handled shoe horn to make it easier further.

Choosing the right clothes can also be helpful, such as loose fitting, elastic waistbands, Velcro fasteners or garments that fasten at the front or side, instead of the back can make it easier.

Try and avoid zips buttons or hooks as these can very difficult if you have painful or limited movement in your hands and fingers. Buttonhooks can help move the button into the button hole. Also attaching a piece of elastic or ribbon to a zip to make them easier to pull up and down.

Reaching, stretching and bending are often difficult activities to manage, so limit this by using long handled shoes horns, long handled sponges or adapted long handled combs, brushes etc.

Self-care

If combing your hair is a problem due to limited range of movement then brushes, combs

etc are now available with angled extended arms to allow you to reach the back of your head easier.

Make-up brushes can be difficult to hold so building up the handle to make them fatter can give and easier grip. Use foam tubing to achieve this.

Bathing and Showering

Hygiene is also very important and getting in/out the bath and shower can be very difficult, however small changes can make this easier and make you feel more confident.

Bathlifts, shower boards can be very helpful and help you to continue to be independent in your home. By placing grab rails on the bath wall can help with steadiness and help you feel more confident as can positioning a rubber matt on the shower base or bottom of the bath can help reduce slips when getting in and out of the bath.

If you prefer showers using a shower stool can reduce fatigue and help in reaching your lower half when washing.

However if confidence is an issue you may want to take a cordless phone or mobile into the bathroom with you in case you need to call someone in an emergency or wait until someone is with you before getting into the shower or bath.

Often when coming out the bath or shower you can feel tired, so consider using a towel robe that you can put on and then sit down and dry yourself at your leisure, using a small, light hand towel as it is often easier that using a large towel.

Toileting

Raised toilet seats can assist in getting on/off of the toilet by reducing the distance between a sitting position and standing. This can often be further aided by appropriately placed grab rails for additional support. Toilet frames can further assist if you need two hands to steady yourself when getting on/off the toilet.

Using toilet wipes or toilet wipe reaching aid can make it easier to wipe yourself after going to the toilet.

Men, if you normally stand up to use the toilet then ask yourself ‘would it be easier if I sat down?’ if yes then a pee guard can help with those small embarrassing spills.

Mobility

Getting around can be difficult due to mobility problems, tiredness, visual problems or generally being unsteady on your feet. If you have difficulties with mobility consider the following;

Foot wear can be a source of many problems, for example, slippy soles, heels, poorly fitting without support. Shoes should have a back, fit securely and only with a small heel.

You may need to use a walking stick or aid to help with your mobility. A walking stick needs to be at the right height to get the best use from it. To ensure the right height, a walking stick should be measured from the floor to your wrist with your hand flat at your side and standing straight. Consider what type of handle is best for you for example, Fisher handles are available for left and right hands and more suited for people with arthritic hands, or there are curved and straight handles also available and your choice will depends what is more comfortable for you. Remember to check the rubber ferrules regularly and replace when needed.

If you need more support consider a walking aid such as a 3 wheeled rolator, crutches or wheelchair.

Getting up and down the stairs can be tiring and painful on your joints. You may need to install a second banister and being organised also helps with having all you need for the day down the stairs.

Getting in/out of bed

For many people they can often experience pain when sleeping or difficulties getting in out of bed. Handrails at the side of the bed can be beneficial for getting in/out of bed. When getting out of bed it is often easier to roll to the side of the bed, turn on your side, facing the direction that your exiting the bed, use your elbows to push yourself up, move your legs out of the bed and sit up. Place your feet firmly on the floor and give yourself a few minutes before standing up as this helps with light headiness. Some people feel that wearing silky or satin pyjamas can help with moving about the bed.

Getting on/off chairs
When getting on/off chairs it is important not to rush, take your time. These steps may help when getting on/off chairs

1. If you use a walking aid make sure that it is near and in front of you. Put your hands on the arms of the chairs.
2. Shift your bottom to the edge of the chair, be sure that your feet and firmly on the ground, and equal distance apart.
3. Lean forward so that your head is further than your knees.
4. Using the arms on the chair push up from the chair, leading with your head, stand up. Then reach for your walking aid. Do not use your walking aid to pull yourself up.
5. When sitting down, walk towards the chair, turn round so that the chair is at the back of you and you can feel the chair at the back of your legs.
6. Using your hand, reach back for the arm of the chair and then guide yourself down onto the chair. Try not to throw yourself down.

About the Kitchen

Consider using ergonomically designed kitchen utensils. These utensils are specially designed to make the activities easier, minimise pain on pressure points, improve manual dexterity and are often lighter than standard equipment.

Using pots and pans with two handles allows for a safer two hand grip, especially when cooking hot foods.

When chopping and mixing, using a food processor can make the processes much easier and quicker, saving you valuable time and energy.

Use a stool in the kitchen to sit down and have a rest between preparations.

Kitchen trolleys and handled trays can be very beneficial when moving food, drinks and other items between rooms in the house.

Eating fresh food is good for you however many readymade meals are also nutritionally balanced. You may want break up your week of meals with readymade and fresh made meals. Buying fresh vegetables and fruit already chopped can make food preparation easier, as can frozen vegetables and fruit.

Organising your kitchen
Think about what you use the most in your kitchen and keep it where it can be easily accessible and where possible at waist height to limit bending and stretching.

The use of plastic containers can often be lighter and easier to open. Transfer heavy goods Into containers such as pasta, rice, flour, lentils etc.

Choose lighter cutlery, plates, cups and bowls as this provides easier grip and hold when eating your food.

Keep it simple and safe when organising your kitchen.

Around the Home

Organisation and where possible being clutter free are key aspects around the home. When undertaking housework try not to do it all at once, do what you can when you can. Look at your routine, undertaking certain chores daily. Avoid the ‘boom or bust’ approach, opt for pacing yourself in all activities that you undertake.

Always ask yourself ‘is there an easier way to do this’, for example use a long handled pan and brush set for sweeping up. Using a light weight hoover is helpful.

Front loading washing machines are often better than top loading ones, however do not over fill your washing machine and use a kitchen trolley to move washing about the home may also help.

Grab sticks can be very helpful for reaching and picking up objects.

Raise sockets to waist height with extending sockets to make it easier to reach and plug pulls can be very beneficial for getting plugs out the wall. It is also important to take a look at your home and ask yourself if there are any trip hazards, such as rugs, loose carpets, toys or items lying on the floor or stairs that you could fall over. If you have a loose carpet, tape it down to make it more secure.

Other Helpful Hints

The following helpful hints cover a range of areas;

Going out shopping can be difficult, so consider shopping at less busy times or using internet shopping for your heavy items.

Use a shallow shopping trolley instead of a deep one as this limits bending and stretching.

Plan your shopping in order not to waste unnecessary energy.