HELPFUL TIPS FOR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING
GENERAL TIPS
• Ensure good lighting throughout the house.
• Remove scatter rugs, decrease clutter and create clear and accessible walkways in your home.
• Decrease distractions during activity to allow full attention. Avoid multitasking.
• Work to create an organized and predictable daily routine that balances work and rest, and considers medication timing.
• As a care partner, use simple language( avoid verbal clutter) and clear, single-step directions when helping someone.
• Work with an occupational therapist for individualized assessment and recommendations related to assistive devices, activity adaptations, driving, home safety and family care partner training.
• Explore options to implement technology to improve daily independence and safety, such as fall detectors and smart devices.
TOILETING
• Consider using a seat riser or safety frame over your toilet or obtain a bedside commode to make transferring easier.
• Try using flushable wet wipes or a bidet for thoroughness with toilet hygiene.
• Create a regular toileting schedule to decrease urgency and risk for accidents. A pelvic health therapist can provide detailed and individualized assessment and recommendations.
EATING AND GROOMING
• Sit in a supportive chair with backrest and armrests positioned at a table.
• Pull your chair up as close to the table as possible to reduce the need for far reaching.
• Keep your elbows in close to your trunk, and support your elbows on the table for better stability while eating, managing utensils or manipulating tools for brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Do not eat while watching television.
• Sit down to groom.
• Set up your eating and grooming environment to account for changing vision, including difficulty with contrast.
• Ask an occupational therapist( OT) about adaptive utensils( e. g., weighted spoon, rocking knife), plates with lips or raised trays to increase independence with eating.
• Consider using an electric toothbrush or an electric razor for increased efficiency and thoroughness.
DRESSING
• Choose clothing the night before to reduce time pressure in the morning.
• Sit down in a supportive chair while getting dressed.
• Break tasks down and focus on individual components( e. g., thread pants over right foot, then left foot, pull over knees, then stand to pull up over waist).
• Use more accessible clothing that is easy to put on and take off. There are many adaptive clothing lines available with options like magnetically infused buttons, Velcro fly on pants, no tie elastic athletic shoe laces or slip on shoes, etc.
• Use extra caution when reaching for items in closet.
BATHING
• Consider using a shower chair or a tub transfer bench to allow for you to sit while bathing.
• Use a shower caddy that is positioned within easy reach, and try pump-style products for shampoo and body wash.
• Shower during the time of day when you have the most energy.
• Try simplifying bathing routine by taking a full shower 2 – 3 days per week and sponge bath or use dry shampoo in between.
• Place a strip of brightly colored contrast tape on shower threshold to increase visibility.
• Consider installing a grab bar for upper extremity support while standing and safety with transferring. Temporary suction cup grab bars are often not recommended due to risk of dislocation.
• Use non-skid tape on bottom of shower to prevent sliding.
• Use a terry cloth robe to help with drying.
CurePSP Prepare to Care 26