What do you do to make living with MS a little easier?
That question was posed to readers of the MS News Today Facebook page recently, and about 175 people responded. Even an MS old-timer like me (I’ve been living with the disease for 42 years and counting) found a few new ideas, so I thought I’d share some of what was suggested.
Easier living in the bedroom
Let’s start with the room in the house where I think many of us feel the most comfortable. The bedroom is where we can escape some of our aches and pains, ease our fatigue, and dream of climbing mountains (or at least a flight of stairs). But the bedroom also has its challenges.
I find it hard to get comfortable in bed because, for some reason, my legs get wrapped up in the sheets. So when someone suggested silk sheets, I thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Note: Check with spouse or partner before ordering.
In the bathroom
Some bathroom items are obvious. Grab bars in the shower should be a priority for safety and confidence. A no-slip shower surface is also a good safety item. A shower chair is helpful. I don’t always use mine, but I’m very glad it’s there if I get too warm or am having one of those days when my legs are weaker than usual. A back brush is also a help.
If you’re thinking about having your shower redone, see if you can get a no-lip entry. The shower floor is slightly tilted toward the drain in the center so that all the water is forced to flow that way. This allows the entry to be level with the bathroom floor. That’s one less thing to step over, and a wheelchair can be rolled right in. While you’re in the mood for a bathroom redo, a toilet that’s a few inches higher than standard can make it easier to get on and off.
A simple but great suggestion was buying a terry cloth robe for the shower. Toweling can sometimes create balance problems for me. Letting the robe do the drying might make things easier.
In the kitchen and dining room
I think a lot of people don’t realize how heavy some plates, bowls, pots, and pans can be. My wife and I learned the hard way. After buying some expensive but heavy items, we went back and bought ones that are lighter and cheaper. A grabber that extends your reach can also be a big help if you’re in a scooter or a wheelchair, or if you’re short, like me.
A few people mentioned three-tiered rolling carts. One wrote, “I have some food and vitamin items on the cart that are now on the table. I’m going to put the cart 4 steps away so I can roll it to the table if I need something on it. I just can’t keep getting up and down to get things but the clutter on the table is driving me nuts.”
A small stool with a back rest can make activities easier on the legs and back, whether you’re cooking or doing dishes. We have one with wheels, but not everyone might be comfortable with that.
A new find was a knife in the shape of a slightly off-angle L. The person who suggested this easier living tip uses it to cut her food. “My hands are in a lot of pain. This knife is changing a position of your fingers which helps a lot with pain,” she wrote.
Get out the checkbook, or maybe not
Living with MS can mean a lot of expenses, led by our medications, so something as big as a bathroom renovation may not be in the cards for you. But some of the easier living suggestions listed here are inexpensive. I found a shower chair for less than 30 bucks. A three-tiered cart can be bought for about $35. The L-shaped knife sells for $15. Even satin sheets aren’t terribly bad.
If you need something more expensive, such as that lipless shower, you might be able to find help from an MS organization such as the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America in the U.S. or the MS Society in the U.K.
On the other hand, if you can afford it, some companies specialize in making homes more accessible. In 2019, I wrote about a company in Vermont called Wheel Pad that will make an accessible add-on to your house.
How have you made life easier in your home? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
***Have you checked-out my book, yet? The Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox is available on Amazon.***
(A version of this post first appeared as my column on the MS News Today website.)
(Featured image by lookiloos via Flickr.)
