Tips and Tricks: Self Care
In the last post, I shared some tips and tricks I’ve found to help me live comfortably in my home. In this post, I wanted to share some tips and tricks I’ve found in caring for myself, such as showering, taking medications, and more.
Supplements and Medications
Many medications and supplements come in dermal (roll-ons and creams), gummy, liquid, or sublingual forms, avoiding the need to swallow if you have dysphagia or to push down spray pumps if you have weakness in your hands.
You can handle some capsule supplements/medications by opening the capsule and putting the contents in a smoothie or hot cereal, but not all supplements work this way, particularly those meant to remain in the capsule until they enter your lower digestion, those that are time-release, or those that would be entirely too bitter or distasteful. It’s best to ask your healthcare provider if whatever you’re taking would work well this way.
Toiletries
I use roll-on deodorant again now, which feels like a blast from the past. But it works better for me than trying to open and close a stick-form product or push a spray dispenser button. Toothpaste is a problem, with its small cap and the need to squeeze it (from the bottom!). There are toothpaste tablets now, which I have tried. They are great for travel and for decreasing waste. We also found a tool to get the toothpaste out of the tube. We put it in our shower, along with a shower Waterpik (see it below, the white tube coming off the shower head), so that I can handle all my dental and showering needs at the same time and don’t have to worry about making a mess if I start to lose my grip on the handle.
Showering and Toileting
Speaking of showering, we’ve adjusted our shower in a few ways to make it easier for me to maintain my independence. We’d already had a roll-in shower, thinking of our future when we outlined the specs of the home. So, accessibility to the shower area was already handled. We have both a stationary shower head and a hand wand, which you can see in the picture above, along with grab bars and a shower tower for easy access to toiletries. We also got a chair, as both my husband and I feel we will need it in the future. It’s also handy to have around in case of injuries, such as low back injuries or injuries to one’s legs or feet. It folds up easily.
Lastly, we purchased a bidet not too long ago, and it’s been a game changer. The seat is heated, the lid automatically lifts and lowers, and it’s an amazing way to feel clean after doing one’s necessaries. It had become a challenge for me to grip toilet paper and maneuver in such a way as to use it effectively, so this bidet was the perfect way to combat those difficulties. You can get even fancier ones that play music and more. It’s important not to be too embarrassed about regular human needs as we navigate this illness. We might feel weak or dependent and not want to point out to ourselves or our loved ones the difficulties we are having, particularly in areas we don’t typically talk about. But it’s important to care for ourselves and to take advantage of all the wonderful tools available to us.
Adjusting to a new way of life is challenging emotionally. I have to give myself time to adapt and learn. We celebrate even the smallest victories along the way. I reach out to friends and family for encouragement. Early on, I sought professional help because I found myself struggling with anxiety, depression, and emotional challenges. Now, blogging serves much of that role. Thank you for opening and reading these posts. I appreciate you!
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
This blog post is based on personal experiences and is not meant to provide medical advice.
Always consult your healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your health journey.
