You may think you are doing fine, but are you? Seriously, the list of things that come under the realm of “activities of daily living” is huge. When did just “living” become so hard? If you are a caregiver or living alone it is time to evaluate your lifestyle.
Cleanliness, hmmm. When your eyesight was razor sharp or you lived with someone else you reacted immediately when you dripped spaghetti sauce or spilled coffee on your shirt. Well, darn! Now, it is too easy to think “who cares,” or “I’ll take care of it later.”
Someone else was always there to remind you that “cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Now it is up to you to notice if you don’t want people whispering “he/she seems to be slipping” behind your back. Makes you mad, doesn’t it? When did a little faux pas become such an issue?
Yes, everyone spills stuff, but when people can tell you what you had for dinner two nights ago, it will likely become a topic of conversation. So, get into the habit of washing up and putting on clean clothes every morning.
When did you take your last real bath? In the old days you got away with sponge baths or a tub filled with hot water in the middle of the kitchen floor on Saturday night, and yes, doing laundry was a real chore. Everything is, or can be, easier now and excuses are not readily accepted.
Today, you must focus on whether or not you can enter and/or exit the tub or shower stall safely. If the least little bit unsteady you need to let someone know what you are up to. Bathrooms can be deadly.
Slippery tiles, porcelain sinks and tubs, and low-slung toilet seats are not forgiving. Getting off from the toilet or taking a shower should not be hard. Grab bars, Grab bars, Grab bars, and a Medical Alert System can be your best friends.
Identify problem areas by using the activities of daily list as a guideline. Create a safe environment for yourself and get busy “remodeling yourself.” You are not alone in this.
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