At Enhanced Lifestyles, we understand how important it is to have control over your life: doing things when you want, how you want, where you want.
It can be frustrating when an environment throws up accessibility issues, forcing you to ‘think outside the box’ and come up with new ways of doing things.
Thankfully, many people who have faced these challenges are only too happy to share their ideas online, and we’ve trawled the internet to find you the best ones. Members of our Members Advisory Group (MAG) have also shared some of their lifehacks to help you overcome everyday challenges.
Let’s run through some everyday household items that can make a big difference:
Cup holders
Attached to a wheelchair, a cup holder will allow you to carry drinks and any other items you want to store in a travel mug for easily accessible storage.
Grabber tools or tongs
These are helpful for picking something up off the floor, or reaching for something in a cupboard or drawer. For trickier items, like paper or dropped money, a folded-back bit of masking or duct tape can be placed on the end to assist you.
Grip cases
You can buy these for your electronics, including mobile phones and tablets. They not only help you hold these items, they’ll also protect them if they’re dropped.
Key rings
The ring from a key ring can be attached to zippers on clothes or furnishings to make them easier to grab and pull.
Phone holder and charger
Installing a phone holder with a charger that connects to a wheelchair’s batteries will ensure you are never caught without communications when you’re out and about.
Plastic bags
These common items are very versatile. You can use them to cover the joysticks of wheelchairs in wet weather, or use them in the fridge to make food items easier to grab.
You can also pull a plastic bag over your arm or leg when dressing, reducing friction and allowing you to pull sleeves or pants on more easily.
Pockets
If you have limited mobility, you may have difficulty reaching into your front or back pockets to retrieve things. Fanny packs or money belts can make accessing your tissues, keys, wallet, purse or phone much easier.
Safety pins
If you use a wheelchair, you may have noticed your shirt riding up as you move, which can be difficult to adjust. Getting your Lifestyle Attendant or carer to attach shirts or tops to pants or skirts with a large safety pin can stop this from happening. Placing the safety pin low in the back means it won’t be visible.
Safety pins can also be used as zipper pullers, either on clothes or cushion covers.
Shoelaces or belts
Tie a long shoelace to a door handle or gate so that you can pull it closed after you once you’ve passed through. Alternatively, you can use a belt.
You can tie a shoelace to a lamp string to switch it on and off.
Touch lamps
There are some fairly cheap options out there, and they are easier to switch on and off than lamps with string pulls or switches.
Voice assistant software
This software can be installed on your phone or in your home, like Alexa or Google Assistant. There are many options out there, so make sure you do your research and choose one that will do what you need it to.
Among the many features available, this software can be programmed to turn lights on and off, play music, search the internet, set reminders and shop online.
Also, talk-to-text features can assist anyone who struggles to type or text.
Zoom feature on your mobile phone camera app
Use the zoom feature on your phone camera to enlarge any text that is too small to see.
Next, let’s investigate some kitchen items that will simplify food prep:
Cutter bowl
A cutter bowl can help you cut all your salad ingredients together in one go, saving you time and effort. The ingredients go in the bowl, then the lid allows you to slice a knife through at regular intervals, chopping everything inside.
It’s quite cheap to buy and can be ordered online.
Rocker knives
These have a long handle with a semi-circular blade attached, allowing you to cut food with one hand and keeping the blade away from your fingers.
Jar openers
A lot of different versions out there, so pick one that suits you. They all use leverage instead of strength to open tight lids.
Ergonomic utensils
A lot of utensils designed for those with arthritis would also benefit anyone with mobility issues in their arms and hands. There are many designs, but they all offer better grips and reduce discomfort during use.
You can also buy grips to fit onto your existing cutlery if you don’t want to replace what you have.
Electric cookers or convection ovens
If using a conventional oven is problematic, think of trying an electric cooker. It sits on your benchtop and allows you to easily prepare meals without the need to follow complicated recipes or deal with a messy clean up afterwards. You can also pick them up for under $100.
Lazy Susan
Although these are very handy for organising and accessing items in cupboards, drawers or shelves, you don’t need to limit yourself to the kitchen. Try using a Lazy Susan in the home office, or the bathroom cupboard.
Slow cookers
If the idea of ‘set and forget’ appeals to you, then maybe you should invest in a slow cooker. You can pop all the ingredients in and leave it to cook during the day or even overnight. There are also some pretty inexpensive options out there, so you don’t need to spend big.
Food processor
You’ll never need to chop ingredients again with one of these. They are quite easy to clean, will save you a lot of time, and are available for under $100. You don’t have to stick to vegetables either – you can use it to shred cheese, then store the cheese in the freezer to add to your meals when needed.
Stable tables or trolleys on wheels
A stable table obviously helps you to eat on your lap, but it can also be used to transport things if you’re in a wheelchair. A trolley on wheels can also help you to move items from one room to another.
And to finish off, our Member’s Advisory Group have kindly offered to share some of their helpful tips with you!
For the laundry room:
- To minimise bending down, get a washing basket with drop down legs, or a basket on wheels
- A portable ramp from a hardware store can be placed over a laundry step to help roll out the washing basket on wheels
- Ensure your washing machine is installed at the right height to avoid bending
- Get your clothesline pole cut to size to accommodate hanging out clothes from wheelchair height
- A stool to sit on
For the bathroom:
- A stool to sit on
- A grabber tool for use in the shower
Generally:
- Octopus or bungee straps can be fitted to gates and shed doors to automatically close the door behind you
- Reflective tape can be placed on all steps to give you a visual reminder
Lynn, our MAG vice-chair, recommends grouping similar items together in the same location, such as a cupboard or a drawer. For example, create an eye-themed grouping: store your eye make-up, eye drops, lens cleaner and lens cloth in one spot. She also advises having an everyday section for daily items, such as hairbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, combs, and moisturisers.
We hope this list will help you. If you have any ideas to share, we’d love to hear from you!
Get in touch and find out how Enhanced Lifestyles can help you.
