ENERGY CONSERVATION AND JOINT PROTECTION TIPS

I.          KITCHEN:

                                         

• Keep all baking equipment in one cupboard
• Keep pots and frying pans near the stove
• Keep frequently used appliances (e.g. toaster) on the counter
• Set up a specific area to make coffee (i.e. a coffee station where you keep everything you need nearby)
• Keep items to the front of the shelves and the rows shallow
• Use plastic lid holders on inside of cupboard doors to keep lids organized
• liminate clutter by organizing drawers and dividers
• Keep unused duplicate items in other areas if needed or give away or throw out (i.e. scissors)
• Keep frequently used items to the front of the shelf and items used less often to the back
• Use space savers (e.g. “Lazy Susans”) and pullout shelves
• Keep heavy jars and boxes at waist level
• Store only light objects on the higher shelves only if absolutely necessary and use a long-handled reacher or a step stool to reach them
• Keep heavy items on top shelf of refrigerator, near the front
• Insert a dish towel in drawers or door handles to make them easier to open

2. COOKING:
• Plan meals ahead to decrease/prevent last minute tasks
• Use precut vegetables, chopped nuts (convenience food)
• Sit down while preparing vegetables, meat, etc., for cooking
• Use a mirror over the stove to monitor food while sitting
• Use electric appliances (e.g. microwave, electric mixer/can opener/knives/fry pan, food processor)
• Can use egg slicer for any soft vegetables
• Place a damp cloth or an anti-slip mat underneath a bowl or plate to keep it from moving while stirring
• Use lightweight dishes/pans and serve from them
• Use a wheeled cart to move heavy items around
• Re-arrange kitchen to make it accessible from a seated position
• Prepare large amounts of food that freezes well, then freeze for later meals
• Use built up handled utensils for more comfortable grip
• Use wall mounted manual or electric jar and can openers.
• Use scissors to open a package instead of tearing it with your hands.
• Hold a spoon like a dagger when stirring to take stress off your hands
• Use non-stick sprays when greasing pans

3. CLEAN-UP:   
• Use disposable aluminum baking pans or plastic baking bags
• Sit on a stool while washing dishes
• Use a wheeled cart to collect dishes from table and move other heavy items
• Use an easy to grip sponge to clean up rather than a thin dish cloth

II.                        BATHROOM:

1. BATHING:     
• Sit on a tub bench or bath stool
• Use a bath mitt or long-handled brush/sponge
• Install grab bars around the tub
• Install lever-type faucets or build up the faucet handles to decrease stress on hand/finger joints
• Use a non-skid rubber mat or strips in the tub or shower
• Keep towels in easy reach
• Use soap on a rope or liquid soap to avoid dropping soap
• Do not use glass containers that could be dropped and broken

2. TOILETING:  
• Put grab bars around the toilet
• Use a raised toilet seat
• If a raised toilet is too high, then push a low footstool under your feet once you are sitting

3. GROOMING:
• Build up or extend the handles on brushes, combs, toothbrushes etc., using foam rubber or pipe insulation
• Use an electric toothbrush
• Use pump dispenser type toothpaste. If you have to squeeze out toothpaste, squeeze the tube between both palms or place the tube over a damp washcloth and lean onto it
• Place foam over eyeliner pencils or lipstick tubes to build up a handle
• If holding one or both arms up to wash or style hair is fatiguing, try sitting at a desk or dressing table. Prop an elbow on a book covered with a soft towel

4. DRESSING:
• Sit down to dress
• Reorganize closet so that the shelves are lower and clothes are hung at a lower height
• Use long-handled shoehorns and sock aids
• Wear supportive and proper fitting shoes
• Wear clip-on neckties
• To make zippers easier to grasp, use a zipper pull, add a loop chain or large paper clip
• Replace buttons with velcro if possible, or use a buttonhook
• Keep buttons of shirts done up and only undo the ones you need to slip the shirt over you head
• Use elastic shoelaces so that you can slip your shoes on and off without having to tie the laces each time

3. LAUNDRY:

• Use separate baskets to sort clothes before bringing them to the laundry room or keep hampers/baskets in the laundry room to collect dirty laundry
• Use a rolling cart to move wet clothes to the clothesline if a dryer is not available
• Sit when sorting, folding and ironing clothes (some ironing boards are adjustable)
• Iron only what is necessary by purchasing permanent press clothing
• Label a basket for each family member and have each one put their own laundry away
• Sort clean clothing and linen into different baskets and have other family members put them away.
• Use a rolling cart if you put the laundry away

4. HOUSEWORK:

• Store cleaning supplies everywhere they are used
• Wear an apron with large pockets to carry necessary cleaning supplies
• Use a sponge mop with an easy lever-type squeezer, a "janitor's pail". Move the bucket/pail of cleaning solution on a rolling dolly/caster
• Use a long-handled feather duster, dust mitt, or a “Swiffer”
• Use automatic toilet bowl cleaner & spray on mildew remover to eliminate scrubbing
• Put casters on furniture so they can be moved easily
• When making beds, finish one side at a time
• Alternate heavy and light tasks, and remember to take a break between/during tasks
• Do only one major cleaning task a day (e.g. laundry or cleaning the bathroom)

5. WORKPLACE:

• Keep frequently used, necessary items in easy reach
• Sit in a swivel chair with proper adjustable back support
• Set the work surface at a comfortable height
• If you are required to make many errands, use the elevator and organize the errands to make as few trips as possible

6. LEISURE:                                 

• Use a card rack for holding playing cards
• Use a bookstand. Lay the newspaper on an open table rather than holding it up with your arms
• Use felt tip pens that require less pressure to write. Also, use larger sized pens for easier grip
• Use a push-button phone or pen tip to dial
• Get a headset for the phone to eliminate the need to hold the receiver or use the speaker phone option

7. GARDENING OR YARDWORK:      

• Gather your tools together in a wheelbarrow, so you do not need to make several trips back and forth
• Use lightweight tools with extended or built up handles
• Put pipe insulation tubing around tool handles to make them easier to hold
• Tape yardsticks onto your gardening utensils so you will not have to bend over as much to use them
• Use a gardening stool
• Use raised flower boxes or window boxes
• Leave the hose in the yard instead of dragging it out of storage each time you use it
• Weed soil after it has rained or when the garden has been watered because soft soil means less tugging

8. GOLFING:     

• Play 9 holes. Take a break, then play the 2^nd 9 holes
• Use a cart and lightweight clubs

9. TRAVELLING:

• Ask for a wheelchair escort to the gate
• Ask a porter to assist with luggage or get a luggage cart, or get luggage with wheels
• Use elevators, escalators, and moving walkways
• Resume seat on plane or train with extra leg room to stretch.

10. DRIVING:       

• Get power options steering, windows, brake, locks, seat controls
• Use a wide-angled mirrors if you have decreased movement in your neck
• Build up the key tops or use key holders to make turning easier
• Use a remote controlled car starter instead of using the key
• Use an automatic garage door opener