When someone has great difficulty cooking and doing the housework
the local Social Services department may be able to arrange for
meals-on-wheels and/or a home help. Meals-on-wheels are delivered to the
home one or more days a week for a small charge, Some areas run lunch
clubs where people who are able to get out of the home can get a mid-day
meal for a small charge. Home helps not only do housework but prepare
meals and go shopping. The number of hours they will help depends partly
on individual necd and partly on local resources. The family doctor is the
person to request these services.
Both cookng and housework are tiring activities and frequent short
rests may be needed. Sitting down is less tiring than standing and many
cooking procedures and all the ironing can be done sitting. Re-organising the
kitchen so that everything that is most frequently usedis near to hand will
help.
Most work in the kitchen can be done with one hand provided the work
is held firmly by some means. If possible, use the affected hand as a
stabiliser. A large, damp dishcloth laid on the work surface prevents a bowl
or chopping board slipping. Opening a screw top jar is easier if it is jammed
into a partly closed door. Most OT departments have a range of gadgets for
holding things steady.
Moving food around can be a problem, specially for someone who uses
a stick. A small kitchen trolley at a suitable height and on wheels may be
the answer.
Microwave ovens do not get hot, so there is no risk of burned hands.
They are ideal for someone who lacks concentration because they cook very
quickly and switch off automatically. An electric frying pan (which roasts
and stews) saves bending down to the oven. Slow cookers have the
advantage that timing is not critical, food will not burn and preparation can
be done whenever the person is feeling energetic or a friend is available to
help.
Housework is more difficult than cooking because it needs greater
mobility. An extra set of cleaning materials upstairs may help and also an
apron with a large pocket or a shoulder bag for carrying dusters and polish.
Socket outlets raised 2 ft. above the floor make plugging in a vacuum
cleaner easicr. When appropriate,other members of the family should do more
to help by making beds,cleaning the bath and doing their own washing.
Washing by hand is casier if articles are presoaked overnight. Frequent
small washes are less tiring than a big weekly wash