Hints and Tips to make life easier for the elderly, infirm of less able

TIPS TO HELP THE ELDERLY, INFIRM AND LESS ABLE

I recently requested hints and tips to help the elderly, infirm and/or less able and I received some very useful suggestions from a lady working in a nursing home.

1: My husband has a hard time reading Rx labels and figuring out what his medicine is for. So I take a sharpie (marker) and write in big print (without obstructing the prescription number) heart, sugar, thyroid, pain, etc on his bottles.

I also put on the LID numbers from 1-4.

1 means am, 2 means lunchtime, 3 dinner and 4 means pm.

So if the lid has the numbers 1 and 3 on it...he knows to take that pill in the am and at dinner. When he gets a new Rx, I just switch lids.

2. People who have arthritis can benefit from a cup with a big handle that 4 fingers can fit in to steady the cup.

3. A pair of kitchen scissors is very practical. They can be used to open snacks and bags of frozen veggies as well as for cutting things like celery or meat into cubes.

4. A nutcracker is very handy to open soda bottles.

5. Hand lotion put on a persons arms or legs when they get out of the shower will keep them warm in the winter.

The following was sent to me by Joe Price, himself a disabled gentleman, in the hope that it would help others.

6: An inexpensive wireless door bell can be used to keep in contact with other members of the household.

7: Two months ago I suffered a stroke and luckily got to the hospital before it did all that much damage. In my wallet I had a list of all medicines I take, the dosage and when I take them. I also had a business card in my wallet from each doctor I see and on the back the meds each doctor prescribed. Within minutes of arriving at the hospital, the treating doctors were notified and the delay was cut very short.

8: I find that using a rubber glove when trying to undo screw tops makes it a lot easier if you are bothered with arthritis.

Susan

WARNING

Hello to all those readers who need to use a walking stick; a word of warning!

About 3 years ago due to an accident I lost the use of my right leg for a while. So, at the age of 62 I was hobbling around the shops as best I could. Little did I realise that having a walking stick was a badge of helplessness and within the first year I was robbed twice.

I don't want this article to change how you go about your lives other than to suggest you be more aware of people around you.

Thieves look just like the rest of us and whilst you appear to be a target, they don't wear badges saying ROBBER!

Pip Neal

More useful tips to make life a little easier for the disabled, elderly and infirm.

If you know of any other useful hints and tips which can make life easier for people please send them in so they can be added to this page.

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