Useful stuff for your home

I have found over the last few weeks that I have not made any lists and I am getting withdrawal symptoms…

Seriously, there are a couple of lists of things that I’ve found really helpful and maybe useful to someone else too. The first one (which I’ll tackle today) is what aids I’ve found really helpful around the house since I got home. Our house currently looks like an old folks home with all the bits and pieces of clinical looking equipment hanging around but would I have it any other way – gosh no! In the hospital someone from the Occupational Therapy department came to see me and assessed what I needed. For several nights hubby was going home with all kinds of aluminium and plastic items – what fun eh? Anyway, I have found some of this stuff really useful – nay vital and so if you can’t get stuff from OT (or whatever the system is where you live), then consider buying what you need.

• First and foremost is a ‘handy helper’. Most people think these are handy items for picking up stuff from the floor. Wrong! These little gadgets are an absolute lifesaver for everything from getting you dressed in the morning (more in my next posting) to sliding furniture closer to you – just get a strong one! http://www.benefitsnowshop.co.uk/shop/detail.asp?bid=AZDQ-543431&item=1256
• I have also found a toilet surround (http://www.benefitsnowshop.co.uk/shop/detail.asp?bid=AZDQ-543431&item=4160) to be incredibly helpful (if you are taller you may want a seat raiser too). This will help you stand up when you are done without bending or hurting anything.
• I cannot live without my bed leaver http://www.benefitsnowshop.co.uk/shop/detail/4377.htm This is great to help you turn in the night, lower yourself down onto the bed at night and a help to swing your feet to the ground while getting off the bed. You just need to be careful not to twist when using it but it has been a real lifesaver to me.
  

Some other stuff that I didn’t get from OT but has also been useful is:

• A sports water bottle is brilliant – you need water for tablets and don’t want to be lifting heavy jugs or running out to the kitchen all the time – also you can drink out of it while lying down.
• I have also found a tablet sorter useful since I have to take lots of stuff spaced through the day.
• I use an insulated mug with a lid for hot drinks. I don’t spill it on the way back from the kitchen and also you can hang onto it and a crutch at the same time without leaving a trail of coffee behind you….
• A large lightweight shawl – wrap it round you – cover your knees (see old folks home..) whatever – it’s really handy!

Finally, you may find more ideas here : http://www.scoliosislinks.com/PreparingforSurgery.htm

Anyway, think that’s about it for now – I feel much calmer for making a list….