HealthInfo Piki Te Ora Southern

Managing everyday activities

Te whakahaere i ngā hohenga o ia rā

Doing everyday activities can be good for you both physically and psychologically, even if they're challenging. If some tasks have become too hard though, it's OK to ask for help.

You can delegate tasks to others, especially if they're particularly difficult for you to do. You can also find ways to modify the way you do activities to conserve your energy through the day.

You might like to install handrails or other equipment around your house to make it easier to move around and do things. You can find out more about equipment and equipment suppliers in the section on Disability aids. You might also consider moving to a smaller house, or one that is easier to manage. Enable New Zealand has advice about how to design a home so it will suit you throughout your life.

There are many gadgets to help people with pain or reduced strength and mobility with daily tasks. These include electric can openers, grip enhancers for taps, jars and utensils and long-handled tools and cleaning equipment. You can find suppliers of equipment to help your daily living by searching for "daily living aids" on the internet or in the Yellow pages.

Also see the tips on Conserving energy.

You might also find the following practical tips helpful in making household tasks easier.

In the bedroom

• Make sure your mattress is firm and supportive to make it easier to move in bed. If your bed is soft, insert a board between the mattress and base.
• Raise the bed up on blocks if it's too low.
• Have a lamp and phone beside the bed so you do not have to walk to other rooms to get the phone.
• Organise cupboards and drawers so you can reach them from the side of the bed.
• Use a duvet rather than blankets. It makes it easier to make the bed.

In the kitchen

• Cook large quantities of food and freeze it in meal-sized portions.
• Prepare part of the meal ahead of time.
• Sit on a stool to prepare food, cook and wash dishes.
• Use a trolley or walker to carry items around the kitchen.
• Let your dishes air dry so you do not have to dry them.
• Buy ready-peeled and cut or frozen veges and preprepared meals and soups. Try some of the ideas in Quick, easy meals.

In the laundry

• Do small loads of washing.
• Put the washing basket on a chair at the washing line so you do not have to bend down.
• Use a clothes horse or airer instead of a washing line.
• Sit down to fold and iron clothes.
• Choose easy-care clothing that doesn't need handwashing or ironing.
• Ask for help with folding large items such as sheets.
• Use micro-fibre towels, as they dry easily and are light.

In the garden

• Use long-handled tools.
• Use an easy kneeler.
• Raise your garden beds or create gardens in pots to make gardening easier.

Housework

• Spread chores out over the week, doing a little every day.
• Use long-handled dusters and cleaning attachments.
• Use a long-handled reacher to pick things up off the floor.

Shopping

• Plan ahead and prepare a shopping list.
• Shop online for food and other items. Use a supermarket's internet shopping and delivery service.
• Ask for help with reaching for high and low items and carrying heavy items.
• Do small shops often, rather than doing all your shopping at once.
• Ask the checkout operator to disperse the weight evenly when packing your bags.
• Sit at the bench when you're sorting groceries at home.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2022.

Sources

Page reference: 192207

Review key: HIMEA-192207