Pain management & housework, household chores etc

[paw]

One thing I have done when my shoulder was recovering from surgery is to take a dog leash and hook it through the handle of the laundry basket. We have a laundry chute where you open a little door upstairs and the clothes fall down to the basement where the laundry room is. The chute is one room over from the washer/dryer though so it falls into a hamper. I sort the clothes into loads then they need to be carried to the washer. I could put the leash hook end through the hand loop and then pull the leash to drag the basket to the other room and pick things up one item at a time to put in washer. I would start a load of wash a while before my husband or daughter was due to come home and they would put it in the dryer and start the second load if we needed to.

Every little thing is so much harder when you can't use an arm or leg!

[fancypants]

The only thing I've bought so far to help me out is one of those laundry trollies. Actually my mum picked one up for me. I'd been living in apartments & no washing line for years so no issue until we moved to a house. Suddenly the bending was a huge issue. But the trolley is brilliant. And for folding washing I put it on a chair high enough that I don't have to bend to reach it.

Apart from that I have a husband who does the housework for me. That's about the extent of my pain management with regards to housework. And no I don't lease him out. Sorry.

I think if I get back into the kitchen I'll need a perch stool as standing is problematic. We definitely need to change the taps around the house as I am forever straining my wrists (I thought that was normal ).

[Llaurin]

I am having "issues" with my left thumb at the mo, its driving me mad as when I wash up, the draining board is on the left and without thinking I grab the clean plates to put them on the rack and - OUCH. I have to pick things up sort of between my fingers and my palm, not using my thumb, but do I remember that when I'm washing up? Of course not. I've dropped the plates so many times over the past couple of weeks, it's amazing I haven't broken any yet! Chipped, yes, broken, no...

I've got a nasty feeling it's the start of arthritis. Will be seeing my doctor next week - a new one, as mine has left the practice. Fingers crossed she is HMS-friendly! I'll be armed with leaflets just in case.

[Smol]

Hi Guys
I have to say I'm lucky where housework is involved. My eldest daughter (19) does the cleaning in exchange for board. The younger 2 girls have their chores which includes washing and putting it away and my hubby is great and always helps out where he can. That only leaves me with the cooking and shopping to worry about. I probably cook 3-4 times a week and we either have a take out, left overs or help yourself tea's the other days.
One thing I did find hard was asking for help, but life was made much easier when I did.

Sarah

[trekster]

Apart from doing chores in stages there isn't much help I can offer. I haven't changed my bed for months now but my washing machine is broken at the moment as it happens. When the ad breaks come on for example i do things like tidying up (small items), putting things into and out of dishwasher and some laundry.

[lollipop]

I find that I have to do the housework over the course of a day or sometimes two.

Hoovering the stairs is a nightmare!

[DeeNJai]

Housework is a nightmare for me it just increases my pain even if I try to do a little bit a time. even if its only for 5 minutes at a time. The worst bit is the rug as it needs to swept first and hoovered as it get must of the dog hair. Think get half a dog on the broom each time I brush it. Its fun trying to hoover the rug when a pain in the behind is trying to kill the hoover. I am going to have to do the kitchen tomorrow as it has to been done because it is unhygienic to leave it the way it is at the moment. It will mean that I will be in serve pain for days after. I wish I could get some form of support from my local Social Services but have refused 8 times so far. Will try again soon. My whole house needs cleaning but its just too much for me too do.
Dee

[Smol]

DeeNJai do you get DLA? if you do could you not use some of that to pay for a cleaner once a week? I have a biggish 4 bedroom house and it needs 3 hours cleaning which I can get for £21 it's well worth the money. My kids and hubby all help out with daily chores,leaving me with enough spoons to make a meal most nights. I really hope you find some help

[DeeNJai]

I am thinking about finding a cleaner but they are asking for between £10 & £15 per hour. This place would need 3 hours per week. My new powerchair is now costing me more also by £11.40 per week. I might ask my brother about his cleaner as she charges £10 per hour which isnt too bad.
Dee

[Smol]

Goodness me that's extortionate! we pay between 7-8 pounds an hour! Still worth £30-£45 a week just in saved spoons. Good luck DeeNJai!

[Sandy L]

Interesting information on rates. We pay the equivalent of 9.70 pounds to about 11 pounds/hour.

[Rosie]

Hi all

Until 18 months ago i was having a cleaner supplied by Age Concern and the rate then was £11 an hour, must have gone up again since then.

Rosie

[star gazer]

here we have a service where you are referred by the community occupational therapist, they then send someone to visit your home to assess your needs for example bathing, house cleaning gardening someone for company/respite etc. I have someone for 3 hours every two weeks, she does a really thorough clean which means my husband can cope with the rest on the opposit weeks, we pay £10 per hour, I could do with her support every week but the budget wont hold up to that, especially as we also have help with the laundry too. I always did everything in the house I didn't mind i thought of it as a form of exercise. but now I cant use the staires someone has to clean upstairs!!! While she is here I dust my bedroom which is down stairs then she will hoover it, I will also potter at other small jobs if i can while she is here, some times when i attempt jobs on my own i have fallen or felt quite faint so it is reassuring having her here while i do a few light jobs at the same time. she is good company too and we will use 20 minutes of the three hours to sit have a cuppa and chat as sometimes its the only other adult i have to talk to appart from hubby!!! I have to really pace though because the temptation is to go mad with the cleaning and enjoy a tidy house but that normally backfires with some sort of joint pain so now only really light stuff at the same level, no bending or reaching. even then i normally have to sleep for a couple of hours after she has gone.