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Activities of daily
living
Sleeping
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Try sleeping on your
side with a pillow between knees (& elsewhere if helpful)
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Invest in a mattress
overlay (eg eggshell)
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Wear a satin nightie/pyjamas
to make it easier to turn over in bed
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Consider hiring an
electric recliner if turning over in bed is too painful (look in
yellow pages under home health care aids or equipment)
Hygiene
Getting through the day
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Consider getting an
Occupational Therapist to come and assess your home to see if there
are any other things that could be done to make things easier
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Set up a spot for
yourself that has everything you may need for the day eg tissues,
lip balm jug of water, thermos, cordless phone, television remote,
writing paper, chocolate etc
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Use a handbag crossed
over your body or a small backpack to carry around the things you
may need eg cordless phone, pen & paper, tissues – even hook your
pick-up-stick onto it
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Ask for help as much
as possible
Household tasks
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A pick-up-stick
(available from your local chemist) can be
very useful - combine with a washing trolley to do a 'tidy round'
around the house
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Talk to your general
practitioner about home help & council services
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Consider using an in
home housekeeping service such (see Cleaning in yellow pages)
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Label cupboards,
rearranging to make frequently used items easier to access (and
making it easier for people helping out to find and to put away)
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Use an office type
chair on wheels to do tasks such as emptying dishwasher
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Use a bar stool to
perch at when doing dishes, preparing food etc
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Consider online
shopping – do a meal plan in advance so you know what you will need.
Some people also do their gift shopping online
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Many supermarkets and
greengrocers will deliver in the local area free of charge or with
just a small fee
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You could also
consider getting nappy wash, or a nappy delivery service
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Prepare bulk meals and
freeze leftovers
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A slow-cooker can be
helpful
Getting Around
If mobility is a problem
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Consider
using elbow crutches - even if you don't need them during the day,
they might be helpful at night getting to the toilet if you don't
have your belt on.
Discuss this with your physio.
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If you need to use elbow crutches consider buying them as it works
out cheaper than hiring in most cases. Make sure you are measured
properly by your physio so you get the right size
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Some people have found a “walk a seat” (walking stick that converts
to small stool) to be helpful if needing to be out and about
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Consider hiring a wheelchair to use especially when out (earlier
rather than later)
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Most major shopping centres will hire out scooters free of charge
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Back to Coping Strategies
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