Ways to make Life easier when non-weight bearing (or partially weightbearing etc)

Here are some tips and tricks and Ideas that I (and friends of mine) have found that make life easier when on crutches and/ or non weight bearing...

* Forearm crutches are MUCH better than underarm crutches (especially for women, think female upper anatomy and WHERE underarm crutches sit <OUCH> for me I ALSO use forearm crutches with ergonomic (or moulded to the hand) hand grips (MUCH easier on the hands)...

* Look into getting some home help (the hospital or such should be able to point you in the right direction for this) Home help is like a house keeper for those with disabilities or recovering from surgery (it is called Home Help here in OZ)...

* Cooking meals (you can look into something like Meals on wheels for the first month at least. Or try cooking things before hand that can be frozen and reheated (try to make a few months worth if possible), or organise family or friends to cook for you while recovering (or have the local take away/ out menus handy)...

* You need to get a list of people who are willing to ferry you around (or look at one of the volunteer driver services to get you to and from PT and doctors and such)...

* Shopping and the like (try doing it over the Internet (we have Woolworth's and Coles online here in Oz(2 large supermarket chains)...

* Try buying your kids and hubby's presents and things before the surgery (if they have birthdays or events during your recovery period as shopping for gifts can be VER hard when non-weight bearing. Also if you have kids it may be worth buying in a few gifts for any birthday parties that may come up while in your recovery phase (you can always use them for your own kids or other birthdays etc if they are not needed but trying to run out and grab a gift at the last minute can be very hard (if you have the time and money) so that you have them on hand. Or look into online stores for gift buying but remember that they may not be as cheap and that you have to allow for the time it takes for postage etc...

* You will also need a stool or chair in the kitchen so that you can sit on it to get your self some lunch or dinner or even make a cup of tea...

* A trolley on wheels can also be a help as you can push it forward and then hop forward and then push it again etc, this way you can carry food, laundry etc etc from one place to another (i.e. a pot of water or a filled kettle from sink to stove top or power point)...

*SIT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE (this saves the OTHER knee)...

*A Chair in the shower or a board over the bath with a hand shower for the tap, as you may not be steady on your feet and no ones wants an accident in the bathroom...

* A good supply of garbage bags and tape (or those special cast cover bags) for showering post-op or while in cast/ brace) as you may not be allowed to take your brace off while showering (especially if you have stitches etc in)...

*Make EVERY plan you can in advance...

* Hire yourself a wheelchair (you can do so (at least here in OZ) from the Red Cross VERY cheaply)...

* A computer chair or a chair on wheels or a wheelchair at home helps also as you can sit in it and wheel around the kitchen or the laundry (ours is in the house and NOT the basement like in the US (we don't even HAVE a basement), if your laundry is in the basement you might want to organise to have someone else do your laundry (a friend or relative or if you can afford it and don't have anyone handy you could send it out or hire someone to do it for you (think reliable high school or college kid who might enjoy the extra pocket money)...

* Organise friends to come and visit (if you are stuck at home) and also things like craft projects or things to keep you busy while you are laid up ...

* Get yourself a disabled parking permit (for the year at least but you will probably need it for 2 (as you will then have PT and have to more than likely learn to walk again)...

* Think ahead to what it is like in Winter there (will you need crutch spikes to prevent falls in the snow? or will you need ???) ....

* Arrange the house NOW to make getting around easier and teach the kids AND hubby NEVER to leave anything lying around on the floor (to prevent falls). If you have pets you might want to try teaching them not to jump up on you and to move out of your road (a command for this can be taught quite easily and relatively fast if needed, otherwise have the pets in a separate part of the house until you are sitting down as you do NOT want to trip over them and injure yourself etc...

* Find out if you can call in prescriptions to the chemist and have them deliver it to you (a lot of pharmacies have this service)...

* Find out what services are available in your area for the disabled or temporary disabled. (Ask the hospitals and search the phone book and the internet) and then contact them in advance and see what they can do to make things easier...

* Find out if your hospital has an equipment loan service (or if they know of one in your area) to make life easier (they can supply bath boards and shower chairs etc and the like for minimal or NO cost)...

* You will also need a backpack for hands free carrying (of anything and everything from a book/pen or paper to mobile/cell phone or cordless phone or even snacks or ANYTHING)...

* A mobile/cell phone and cordless phone for emergencies and to make it so that you DON'T need to try to get to the phone in a hurry (a cell phone for when out and a cordless for at home) and also try a carry pouch for them...

* THINK easy and light and convenient when doing or buying anything from food to backpacks to socks...

* Pillows to protect and cushion your foot and knee etc...

* DON'T forget a computer/Laptop and your internet connection etc...

* If you have a pet then you might want to look into having someone walk and groom it/ them for you (family/ friends or try one of the manyorganisatins out there to help disabled people with their pets (here we have a greoup called PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and they are a free group that provides dog walkers etc for those who can't do this themselves). Or you could try hiring a high school or college student or local teen who would love the extra pocket money...