Home Adaptations That Make Ms Easier To Handle
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can take its toll on you on certain days while for others you may be ok. As the disease progresses however, those feelings of fatigue may come more frequently, hindering your ability to the things you once took for granted. Every day activities can become more of a physical chore than before so it is important to recognize how you are feeling and adjust your activities for the day to your fatigue levels.
In addition to adjusting your schedule itself to conform to your fatigue levels, did you now that there are plenty of home adaptations you can make as well that will help to conserve your energy? In order to learn more about them in detail, talk with a rehabilitation or occupational therapist as they are the most knowledgeable about the devices out there.
Some of the handy pieces of equipment that can make your life a bit easier include wheelchairs, scooters, electric powered beds to help you adjust your positioning, grab bars and even special utensils that can be adjusted to your grasp. And of course, reacher devices are always beneficial so you do not have to bend or stretch too far during those days of pain.
Changes in the Home
Some of the changes in the home are more geared to how you can best help yourself with the many different self-care activities that you do everyday whether it is eating, putting on pants, brushing your teeth and more. Because each person is individual and may have particular aches and pains, not all suggestions are a one-size-fits-all kind of deal.
1. Getting dressed – Use a chair with arm rests for balance to get dressed in the sitting position. Wear clothing with elastic waistbands that are easy to get off as well as clothing with Velcro or zippers. If you have button shirts, see if you can get them with large buttons or at least invest in a buttonhook to help with the opening and closing of the button.
2. Bathing or Showering – Grab bars are an essential in and out of a bathtub and shower area to prevent slippage. A bench inside may also be necessary if you experience too much weakness to stand. Install a hose for individualized bathing or showering and employ a large handled brush for scrubbing hard to reach areas. Gripped bathmats and rugs in the bathroom help prevent slipping.
3. The kitchen area – The use of slip-proof matting is a godsend in many applications. For instance, you can place your dinner plates and other dining ware on one for a slip-free and accident free meal. Use a food processor rather than a knife to chop vegetables and sit at the table or low counter to work instead of standing. Using plastic items as much as possible will help prevent breakage in the kitchen.
4. Adaptable implements – Anything that has a handle can be adapted for people with MS. For instance, install faucets with extra long handles for an easier, looser grip. Find hairbrushes and toothbrushes with special built-up handles for easier gripping or install handles on them to keep from dropping.
Use a table to do the laundry so that you do not have to stoop. Invest in a gripper and reaching device as well. Use straws for drinking and a rocking knife instead of a traditional one. There are countless adaptable items that you can use to create less mess and less effort to operate.
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