Strategies to assist with everyday living
  • These strategies were compiled with the assistance of the staff at LMBIA and an Occupational Therapist. It is hoped that this information can provide some simple strategies to assist or cope with some issues that you or your loved one may experience. These limited strategies may not work for everyone, and is presented as mere support ideas. When implementing these strategies, please take caution to analyse if these strategies will work for you. It is recommended to seek professional consultation for further advice and guidance…
  • Keep a journal to record things that happen during the day, record your feelings, mood, sleep patterns, eating patterns, seizures etc. This journal may be beneficial as a way to express your feelings, but can also be a useful reference for yourself and health professionals that you may encounter.
  • Repetition and practice may increase your confidence and ease of an activity.
  • When pursuing an activity start with the simplest version of that activity and work towards the more complex/advanced. For example, completing a jigsaw puzzle: 24 piece puzzle>48 piece puzzle>72 piece puzzle>1000 piece puzzle or larger sized pieces>smaller sized pieces.
  • You can break down an activity into its separate components. Work on successfully accomplishing one component of the activity first before moving onto another.
  • Set long term goals and a series of short term goals for yourself. The short term goals should be goals that work towards achieving the long term goal. For example:

LONG TERM GOAL:
JOG for a period of 30 MINUTES on a treadmill


SHORT TERM GOALS:
1.1 APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF BALANCE AND COORDINATION ON A TREADMILL
1.2 SLOW PACED WALK FOR 10 MINUTES ON TREADMILL
1.3 SLOW PACED WALK FOR 30 MINUTES ON TREADMILL
1.4 BRISK PACED WALK FOR 10 MINUTES ON TREADMILL
1.5 BRISK PACED WALK FOR 20 MINUTES ON TREADMILL
1.6 BRISK PACED WALK FOR 30 MINUTES ON TREADMILL
1.7 JOG FOR 10 MINUTES ON TREADMILL
1.8 JOG FOR 20 MINUTES ON TREADMILL

1.9 JOG FOR 30 MINUTES ON TREADMILL

  • It may also assist to conserve energy and rest prior to an activity, task or event.
  • Try to incorporate activities into your schedule that you find interesting. Pursuing an activity that has personal interest may increase your motivation and initiation.
  • Set a daily and weekly routine for yourself. You can create a calendar/log to refer to your scheduled routine and to remember tasks. For Example:

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
T
A
S
K
  • Feed the dog 10am
  • Recycle
    		•
  • feed the dog 10am
  • laundry
    		•
  • feed the dog 10am
  • vacuum
    		•
  • feed the dog 10am
  • dust
  • Volunteer at the Library 1pm
    		•
  • feed the dog 10am
  • clean bathroom
    		•
  • feed the dog 10am
  • sweep
    		•
  • feed the dog 10am
  • dishes
  • garbage
  • Visit family after chores

    • Keep a large calendar in a central location of your house as a reminder of the date, and any pertinent events that are planned for the month. It may be of assistance to place a calendar near the telephone to quickly transfer appointments and events onto the calendar.
    • Prepare a compact phone and/or address list of important and frequently contacted numbers and place it in front of the telephone or on the wall above the telephone for quick and easy reference. You may want to alphabetise the list or place the most frequently called numbers near the top of the page for easier reference.
    • Take the time to label your cabinets, storage boxes, or drawers to quickly refer to its general contents.
    • Place items within the vicinity that it will be used as a reminder. For example, place pet food near the pet's dishes, place the broom and dustpan near the kitchen, store excess bathroom tissues and cleaning supplies in the bathroom, etc.
    • Place a mirror in front of your exit door to ensure that you've completed your morning hygiene routine. For example, to confirm that you have combed your hair, washed your face, applied your make-up, etc.
    • It may assist you to place a magnetic erasable memo board on the freezer and fridge. You can list the contents on the board and erase it when you have used it for meal preparation, or simply take inventory and list the items that require purchasing. This system will require consistency in order to be accurate.
    • Declutter your living areas. This will assist with finding items with ease, and maintaining a hygienic environment.
    • Acquire a day planner or electronic palm pilot organizer to record all appointments and important events. It is important to keep it with you on daily excursions, as well as referring to it everyday as a reminder.
    • You may be able to purchase a watch with multiple alarm settings to remind you of important times during the day. For example, you may need to remember when to take your medications, eat meals, appointments, etc. You may also be able to find talking clocks that announce the time every hour. In the Lower Mainland the CNIB carries many options in these devices, please go to: www.cnib.ca/tech_aids/index.htm for information and store locations.
    • If you are having difficulty with remembering when to take which medications, you may want to ask your pharmacist for more information on acquiring a dosette or bubble packing your medications.
    • It may be useful to purchase recipe books that have accompanying illustrations to aid in interpreting the steps involved.
    • If it is difficult reading lines from books in sequence, you can use a straight ruler or edge of a paper to focus on each line or word. You may also find it helpful to use lined paper to guide you when writing.
    • If there is difficulty reading text, you may be able to acquire reading or writing devices from a variety of technical aid companies. There are computer reading software and other devices that assist with reading aloud written text.
    • If it is difficult to remember paying your bills or getting to the bank, you may be able to set up your bill payments as either automatic withdrawal or set up telephone and/or computer banking.
    • If it is difficult to go to the supermarket or prepare meals, find out if there is a meal preparation or grocery delivery service in your town/city. You may be able to find out more information through your local Brain Injury Association, Senior's Association, or Resource Society. Within the Lower Mainland, please check out our community resources page.
    • If it is difficult to take public transportation without assistance, there may be a supportive transportation system that will pick you up at or near your residence and drop you off at or near your destination. Please check with your local transportation authority for more information. For the Lower Mainland, please go to www.translink.bc.ca
    • Some towns or cities may also provide Disabled Parking Placards for individuals who require parking closer to public building entrances. Please check with your local Brain Injury Association or Resource Society for more information. Within the Lower Mainland, please go to SPARC's website for more information: http://www.sparc.bc.ca/parkingpermit/
    • Speak with an Occupational Therapist to discuss any adaptive equipment that may be of assistance for you. Your Occupational Therapist will assess and determine the most appropriate equipment for you. There are many adaptive devices out there in addition to those listed, that may enable you with maintaining or increasing your ability to perform an activity or task. For information about Occupational Therapists in BC, please go to: www.bcsot.org