I live alone so I cannot stay in my home if stinky garbage piles up on my patio. After my stroke a neighbor took my garbage to the curb for a few months. However, I do not want neighbors to think they volunteered for life. Paying a nursing home
$8,000 a month is a really expensive way to get rid of garbage. Here are adaptive devices that can make a lot of people independent and safe.
Garbage. I use
Hefty Ultimate garbage bags. They have an elastic drawstring built into the top of the bag. I place the full garbage bag on the seat of a kitchen chair so I do not have to lean down to tie a knot in the drawstring with my teeth and sound hand. Once the bag is tightly sealed I drag it across the floor and kick it down my front steps. I put the bag in a rolling garbage can to take the garbage to the curb. I learned not to push the garbage can by tilting it backwards to roll it on the wheels. The first time I did this I almost fell when the garbage can got away from me. By putting the wheels in front (see arrow) I can push it like a rolling walker.
CAUTION: I used to drag a cane in my affected hand so I could walk back to the house. Now my balance is good enough to walk back without a cane.
Recycling. The short yellow recycling container my township gave me is too heavy and awkward for me to carry to the curb. The photo shows the
Devault Plant Dolly. Six casters under the dolly make it roll smoothly. I threaded a long strap through the central hole of the dolly. To get recyclables to the curb, I thread the strap through the handle of the garbage can and pull it taut. homeafterstroke.blogspot.com
Pushing the rolling garbage can like a walker is a great idea! Even for people without mobility challenges, that can gets heavy and can be awkwardly out of balance. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteHi! I am an OT student making a therapy plan for case study client who is experiences hemiplegia after stroke, I am loving your blog and have read a majority of post :). My program is two weeks, using a combination of remedial (motor relearning) and compensatory strategies, to work towards reintegrating the affected limb. I am wondering if there is anyway to contact you directly to ask some questions regarding my plan? My email is nesrl002@mymail.unisa.edu.au
ReplyDeleteYou can e-mail me at homeafterastroke3@verizon.net..
DeleteThe plant dolly rolls so smoothly that it makes me happy every time I use it.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I am still fighting with the garbage cans so I leave it to my family most of the time. I am so glad you are able to make it back up your driveway without the cane. That is great!
ReplyDeleteIf I was still married I would never have gone out on the patio and fooled around until I learned turning the rolling garbage can backwards would make me safe and independent.
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