Hi!
Just for interest's sake, I was just wondering what sort of workarounds many of you have come up with to compensate for things you can't do well anymore. As an example, I'll tell you some of my workarounds.
Opening packages - I often have to reach for the scissors now, or for jars I have a jar opener (not a good one, my husband was thinking of building a really good one under the cupboards for me), or I just give them to hubby. Those environmentally-friendly water bottles with smaller tops are a pain; can't open at all (my hand will cramp up), so I just ask whoever is around if they can help me.
Breaking eggs - I have splits in my fingers a lot, and sometimes I have to break eggs with one hand to avoid pulling open the sharp shell with a split thumb
Pushing myself up from the floor - I can't push with my hand open on the floor anymore, my fingers don't bend far enough anymore, so I use my fist to push up with
Flossing - again with my splits, dental floss hurts my fingers, so I now use the dental floss pick thingys that hold the floss for you so I'm just holding the plastic part, not the thin floss.
Anyways, I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of for now. Any other workarounds you've had to come up with?
Hi,
This is a great topic.
I like the OXO jar opener (this is not an endorsement, just what works for me) and have other "good grips" products like the potato peeler.
I use a "grabber" that you can get at most drug stores for reaching especially into high cupboards and behind the washer when you drop a sock.
Splits in the fingers can be helped by using gloves when you wash dishes, I also use coconut based liquid soap for the shower. I have gone from multiple splits on each finger to 1-2 a winter. Less dry skin rashes also.
And if I might also suggest? There are different ways to get up from a chair or the floor, check local listings for a Feldenkrais class in your area. I believe he was a physicist who got polio, so in relearning how to move he designed moves to reduce energy expenditure and move more efficiently, and now there are people who teach it in many locations. Think of spiraling up from the floor--no push up needed, and great for the joints also! I took a class and have used the moves I learned for years even before I needed them.
For me the easiest way for opening jars is a jar popper, it actually pops the vaccuum seals which is what makes the darn things so hard to open. Once you get the vaccuum seal popped, it is so much easier. That thing is a life saver. Now opening juices is another story and I can't do it for the life of me. It's the worse, sometimes I think they glue those things on.
I would definintely invest in slide out racks for your cupboards, not just for your kitchen but they are great for the bathroom also. They are not too bad but if you have a Bed Bath and Beyond, get on their 20% coupon mail list ;)
For splittling fingers and cuticles, I would recommend a good cuticle oil with vitamin A & E and jojoba oils... usually you can find them at a beauty supply store. I use cuticle oil on my fingers and not just my cuticles, I actually use it on my elbows and knees in the winter too, because they all can crack and bleed, stuff works great!
I have the joint pain and stiffness, and live in a 2-story home. :o
I have to crawl on my hands and toes (not the knees) upstairs sometimes. Especially in the evenings.
I wear rubber gloves when cleaning or doing dishes because no amount of lotion heals the damage caused by those caustic cleaners.
ugh I know about the 2 story home CAT :( and all the bedrooms in our house are upstairs YUCK!
the worse part is that my son's bedroom is at the top of the stairs so when I go up, I have to 'play it cool' so I don't show the pain I'm in as I'm walking up. All he has to do is peek outside his door to get a look at the stairway. I usually just grip the banister and grip my lip and smile(?). My husband wants to retire in our house... I'm only 35, how the heck am I going to make it upstairs 30-40 years from now if I'm struggling at this age?
I just thought of some more things I use that I probably take for granted:
shoe horns - invaluable little things, putting on shoes can do a number on your fingers when they are in pain... I have a couple (complimentary from the hotel ;D )
magnetic closures on my necklaces - whoever thought of those are a genius... no more fooling around with clasps, quick easy and painless
and I don't use it but my mom gave me her hair dryer stand... it holds your hair dryer for you so you don't have to. (I wish I had to use it, unfortunately my hair is so thin it dries in no time :( )
A lot of tennies and nurse type shoe have the velcro now. No more worrying about tying shoes.
My mother loved em.
I tried to respond to this earlier, but had trouble differentiating between compensations I use for my primary disorder and ones for this one. There's crossover though, so I decided just to list things. You can see if anything might help you. And if anyone can direct me to a source for a drink bottle with a straw and a shoulder strap for carrying, I'd be thrilled. Something washable and usable for more than just water.
Hubby drilled holes in the lever that adjusts the car seat position, and put leather cord through and tied a loop, at my request. (Okay, I hounded him to do it.) I can't use my hands to pull that lever up, but I can use my arm, so arm in the loop and pull means I can adjust the seat. Same thing on the washing machine for the button that must be pulled out. I can't grip it to pull. A cord through allows arm use instead of hand. Cords on round pull knobs do the same, throughout the house.
Replaced round doorknobs with lever type knobs.
Installed handles at/near any step, for balance and to pull myself up the step.
Added ramp with handrail into barn feed room, and half-height steps from feedroom to livestock area. (Obviously not everyone has a barn, but the ideas might be helpful elsewhere.)
Purchased new counter height dining set, so I can sit and get up without assistance.
Raised the bed so I can get in and out without assistance.
Electric mattress pad helps with the Raynauds.
Reduced the brightness on computers and cellphones to reduce eye strain.
Have a day bed that is metal and three sided, of course! One side short of hospital bed... Can pull up on metal side railing. Another plus is have duct taped little baskets to hold my night time necessities. Duct taped my two heating pad controls to spindles on rail
Use CPAP machine so ordered me a Tempur-pedic pillow since have to sleep on my back all the time.
Keep a small flashlight that is magnetic and 'grabs' to metal rail.. Try not to turn on much light as wakes me an alert stage.
The LED ones are small enough you could put under your pillow.
Now that have PN and my skin is so sensitive, I wear supina cotton knit knee/or ankle length gowns around home. Have put me a pocket on each gown on right side as I'm R handed.
This way I can keep my chap stick and tissue with me at all times. Eye drops on occasion.
And, have found this pocket saves me many steps as put small items it to put in its proper place, ie: tweezers, toe caps, etc.
Use boxes bottle water comes in to organize things to take to other parts of home when doing housework. Boxes go on bottom shelf of cart. Each end of box is marked with room name.
Last, Hubby and I use a rolling cart to put our cleaning and vacuuming tools on and if you get one it's your responsibility to return it to cart so other partner can easily find it without bothering the other one!!! ??? Has saved many issues arising...
Some really good ideas here!
Hollowoakfarm - I just KNOW I've seen water bottles with straps on them. Not sure if they had straws or not. I'm thinking I probably saw them when I was down in Florida once, in a beach shop. That's about all the info I've got for you. Maybe there's an online store somewhere that would have them. Not sure what you'd search for, though, maybe "water bottle strap"?
Thanks amberjolie. I know I've seen them somewhere, too....back before I needed them. Isn't that the way it always goes? I have one, but it won't fit in the drink holder of the car, so is only useful if I'm going somewhere with someone else. Every time I think I've got a place fixed that will prop it up, it ends up spilling anyway. I keep looking. If I could only find a good bottle that I can handle, I'd make a bag-n-strap or something for it. But a good bottle with straw is hard to find. For me. I have no google-fu.
I have a long-handled shoe horn. I actually bought it for my father many decades ago from a menswear shop. When he died a few years ago, I brought it home. Wonderful because I don't even have to sit or bend down to put on my shoes. It's a long piece of curved plastic with a jeweled handle. I've had to protect it from every kid that comes over as it does look very much like a sword....
I have to use gloves to wash my dishes. I also bought a long handle scrub brush to wash pots. The water even if it is too hot or too cold it hurts my fingers. My boys or husband opens my bottles. I wait until I really hurt myself before I stop doing anything and then I pay for it
www.truedaucorp.com Diswasher save, top rack Lots of colors to choose from.Great water bottles with built in straw D ring to attach to bag will fit in cup holder most vehicles Happy with mine have 2 one for work and home. Also Camelbaks are good :)
Hollowoakfarm, I think I have seen water bottles of all kinds in the sporting good stores like Gander Mountain and Cabelas. Seems like I have seen both the leather strap and the polyester fabric straps. Might be able to go on line and check that out. Irish ;D
Quote from: Buzzybee on February 21, 2011, 05:52:44 AM
www.truedaucorp.com Diswasher save, top rack Lots of colors to choose from.Great water bottles with built in straw D ring to attach to bag will fit in cup holder most vehicles Happy with mine have 2 one for work and home. Also Camelbaks are good :)
I can't get your link to work. :(
Camelbaks won't work as I can't wear one at the office, nor can I suck as hard as they require. I'd love to look at the other bottles, though!
Quote from: irish on February 21, 2011, 09:43:49 PM
Hollowoakfarm, I think I have seen water bottles of all kinds in the sporting good stores like Gander Mountain and Cabelas. Seems like I have seen both the leather strap and the polyester fabric straps. Might be able to go on line and check that out. Irish ;D
I've checked out Gander Mountain, but not Cabelaas. I'll look there. thanks for the suggestion. :)