Activities of daily living

 Sleeping

•   Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between knees (& elsewhere if helpful)

• Invest in a mattress overlay (eg eggshell)

• Wear a satin nightie/pyjamas to make it easier to turn over in bed

• 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

•   Use a shower chair (eg plastic garden chair) or bath board so that you can sit down in the bath or shower

Getting through the day

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Ask for help as much as possible

Household tasks

• 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

• Talk to your general practitioner about home help & council services

• Consider using an in home housekeeping service such (see Cleaning in yellow pages)

• 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)

• Use an office type chair on wheels to do tasks such as emptying dishwasher

• Use a bar stool to perch at when doing dishes, preparing food etc

• Consider online shopping – do a meal plan in advance so you know what you will need. Some people also do their gift shopping online

• Many supermarkets and greengrocers will deliver in the local area free of charge or with just a small fee

• You could also consider getting nappy wash, or a nappy delivery service

• Prepare bulk meals and freeze leftovers

• A slow-cooker can be helpful

Getting around

• Invest in a good pair of runners

• Buy a piece of lining silk fabric sheet to use as a slider (especially useful for getting into the car)

If mobility is a problem

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Consider hiring a wheelchair to use especially when out (earlier rather than later)

• Most major shopping centres will hire out scooters free of charge