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Do you have a hint, tip or life hack to share with us?
Sam_Alumni
Scope alumni Posts: 7,729 Disability Gamechanger
Have you discovered something simple that’s made a huge difference to your life?
Maybe you’ve modified an Ikea product into something that would have cost the earth from a specialist shop. Or you’ve discovered a really useful app that could help others.
We love the community’s creativity and ingenuity, and your lived experience is so valuable. It’s great when those ideas are shared – so tell us yours!
Maybe you’ve modified an Ikea product into something that would have cost the earth from a specialist shop. Or you’ve discovered a really useful app that could help others.
We love the community’s creativity and ingenuity, and your lived experience is so valuable. It’s great when those ideas are shared – so tell us yours!
Scope
Senior online community officer
Senior online community officer
Replies
Scope community team
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Keep a chair in the bedroom to sit down while you dress and undress. This can help with any balance problems and makes it easier to put on socks and shoes. A chair with a firm seat and arms will be easier to manage than sitting on the side of the bed, and the arms will help you stand up afterwards.
(shared by a community member)
Kitchen tips
If you cannot find or do not have a jar lid rubber opener but you have latex gloves wrap those round and twist instead. In some instances they work better.
Instead of a magnetic lock, use magnetic locks on your cupboards.
(shared by a community member)
If you have a child that has difficulty sleeping, consider:
Installing black-out blinds.
Be mindful of bedroom colours - Blues and greens are great colours for relaxation. Avoid bright colours that are stimulating to look at, such as red, yellow and orange in the bedroom.
Remove all screen from sight including TV, iPad, mobile phones and any other device.
If sleeping away from home, take a familiar Item such as cuddly toy with you.
(shared by a community member)
Magic whiteboard is great for all sorts of uses around the home - write-on, wipe-off sheets of static plastic. Creates a whiteboard from a roll - anywhere in seconds. I use it for visual timetables.
I always find easy ways to help myself. As I am each day struggle some days good or bad.
Especially tips and tricks kitchen.
My kitchen equipment blender and food processors. Simple and easy to do for instant sauces. Especially slicer blades for onions and certain veggies.
Blender great for adding veggies to make a sauce as my recipes most of the time.
Zip bags for every day use or use clip bags. We have all done this buy frozen veg and fruit open a bag spillages every where. Put in zip bag or clip bag label and use portion produce.
Use these zip bags and clip bags for wipes for the kitchen to store in. Out of packet get dry so into zip or clip bag. No dry wipes.
Use wipes on radiators so when they come on get scent of wipe no need for those air fresheners.
Envelopes and those DWP ones we all get keep them for instant jotter use the back. To do lists or shopping.
Buy tin foil to wrap food like meat and fish to freeze. Plus portion bread always label.
If using bags too fiddly can not get air out. Tin foil easier. Double wrap. With my hands . Have problems with jars. All jars have air inside of them. Tap the lid releases the air.
Could not do with my stocklist every shop buy only for that fortnight. All items plus house hold essentials. All itemised go around before every shop. Double check like the supermarkets do.
Also when itemised anything all together on the stock list. So like the stores all Italian food items and stores together same with spices all together then you double check at home before ordering.
Do the same with your cupboards all together easy to remember what you have forgetting.
Use TESCO Saver plan midweek costs not a lot.
Use on line TESCO . Every time you order food items they go on your favourites. Click on to that every time saves a long time shopping.
Do shopping on line about a hour a time saver.
I have memory issues so need to plan ahead and do forget so reason why do the above tips and tricks.
Also others are PRIME Amazon bargains galore for the household and clothes. A set fee free delivery. Could not do with out that the others are WHICH and consumer advice worth a monthly fee.
Probably more some where.
Hope that helps every one.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
Senior online community officer
If like me you find cutting difficult, buy sliced food where possible such as vegetables, cheese and chicken.
I use slip on shoes to avoid laces and always try to get drinks in a container when I am in public to avoid spillages.
Difficulty getting in or out of the car? Yup you can buy the turntable disc things OR if you just could use a little help I use a quality polythene carrier bag (10p supermarket ones or 5p fashion store/high st store ones) folded in half on the driver's seat. Makes it slippy enough to twist yourself easily in the seat when getting in or out of the car. And a fraction of the price
Put them into a freezer bag or zip bag . Add seasonings like herbs salt, pepper touch of lemon juice any spices, olive oil. or rapeseed.
Seal up and shake, rub, for a few minutes even leave. To marinate.
In the fridge, then when ready to cook. Put pan on to heat up has oil in the marinade so no need.
Tip in carefully and already to seal.
No need for oils or spices, seasonings in the bag.
Just turn carefully use wooden utensils .
Got no oven cloths to use and handle pans . Especially knobs and handles have a tea towel handy. These can get hot.. To use, buy thick ones double up. Use old ones.
Use food processors, blenders for sauces. Put into a bowl then ladle in saves wastage.
Use the right pans for the recipes.
I am single so use small pans to portion food. Have a Kurrai which is a Indian Wok. With a lid, useful to portion food.
Small wok and saucepans. Sauté pans. Small pans can be bought on line.
More to follow.
Take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
Always have a plan B ( are you listening Theresa May ?.) 😮🙂
Scope community team
Scope
Hello @Adrian_Scope Thanks for sharing. Had a few friends who could burn water lol..
Is there anything you wished to know.
Please ask me, always trying to put recipes on the forum.
Easy to do and some are full of cheats, tricks and tips.
Happy to help and be supportive.
Take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
My electric cooker has a timer I would be lost without it. I have used electronic timers in the past which are just as good and mobile. Microwave with continuous sound timer on end of programme.
Apps on my mobile phone have changed my life eg: medication reminder app with reminder to order. Alarms for everything I need like 4 in the morning for getting up, getting a shower, getting ready, going out. I do everything in stages lol. Calender app with reminders to suit. Step app for counting my steps which helps me overcome agoraphobia and feel achievement. Banking app, kindle app and so on.
Cordless iron so I can use either hand and no tangles on cord.
I wear mainly pull on off clothes as I struggle with buttons etc
Hello @Sam_Scope More kitchen tips, tricks and time savers.
Buy hard cheese like Parmesan, Cheddar and others grate using food processor grater. Then to a plastic box one for fridge one for freezer.
Then does not go off. Any left over cheese like you might use whether grated or not in to a freezer box.
Great for toppings on Baked Potatoes add Lasagne or Pasta.
Have a jar of Pesto to stop from going off in the fridge when open. Add a thin film of olive oil.
To make dressing for salad easier and cheaper to have a screw top jar. Have Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Lemon Juice as well as Olive oil. Extra Virgin is expensive ordinary Olive will do.
Use a screw top jar. Coat measuring spoons in Olive Oil . Prevents excess on the spoon and slides off. Use this with honey.
Any meat to use always remove a half hour or more to room temperature. From the fridge and leave. On a kitchen unit before cooking into pan.
Never from the fridge . Takes longer to cook straight from the fridge. This is because meat is cold and takes longer to come to room temperature. When in the pan.
Always heat your pan up and keep the temperature minimum. Some pans have a spot which goes dark red when pan is ideal temperature.
Fish if buying from pack remove from the pack onto kitchen towel pat dry and let it come to room temperature.
Grease and oil plastic storage boxes for storing food in the fridge or putting in the freezer. With tomato based sauces. Prevents staining of plastic boxes. Use Rapeseed or Veg oil or Olive. With a kitchen towel to wipe on a thin film.
Any left overs to cool down before storing in the fridge, add to a glass or Pyrex bowl. To a sink with cold water. This prevents hot food being stored in the fridge.
Causing bacteria problems in food. Then when cooled down. To a greased oiled storage boxes.
Hope that helps any body.
Take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
Hello @Sam_Scope Another useful tip.. Having issues and problems. Doing the housework. Lack of motivation.
Made my favourite sandwich. Left it in the Kitchen.
Had some upbeat music on.
Clean sparkling and neat, tidy home.
Had the sandwich after. Peanut Butter on wholemeal bread.
Now rested back to the forum.
Works every time.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
Constant field of electromagnetic wave pulses in to the joint and blocks the pain signal to the brain.
Can highly recommend it.
Long(tiny)battery life! 720 hours continued use. Can switch on and off.
Battery can't be replaced,new device needed to be bought. (That's how they make the money folks)!
Usually about £19 to £24 each.
Great for knee pain.
A pity they don't make one to fit the whole of someone's body!
Looking for a hotel? try
https://www.trivago.co.uk/
https://www.hotelscombined.co.uk/
https://uk.hotels.com/?intlid=HOME+%3A%3A+header_main_section://
I'm on the spectrum, I used to find eye contact difficult.
I learned that the trick is to shift your focus between each of the eyes of the individual regularly. It makes maintaining eye contact easier for me.
It's a simple trick, but it seems to work for me. I'm not sure if it'll work for others on the spectrum or others who generally struggle with eye contact for any reason at all. I thought I'd share just in case.
I'm not even sure if this is considered a life hack, or belongs in this thread. But it's helped me so I thought I'd share.
Hi folks, my tips are for anyone caring for someone with advanced dementia and come from my long experience of looking after my dad... I hope they help you.
When my dad wanted to go home (he was at home in the house he had lived in for 40+years) but I knew he meant his childhood home in Ireland. I learned that rather than try to explain or persuade him ...thus distress and agitate... I’d say something like “OK daddy let’s get our coats and shoes on.” (I would do that for him) and his mood would instantly lighten. Then I’d get him in the car ( no easy task) and drive around for a bit saying we were on our way to catch the boat train.
After a short while I’d point out places that used to be part of his life e.g. the church, the shops and so on until we were close to our house. If he was totally relaxed I’d say “we are nearly home now dad” ... if not I’d drive some more. Then at the gate “great were here, let get the kettle on”
Worked every time for me. I hope it works for you. It’s not always convenient, especially at night and when you are exhausted yourself but honestly it’s worth seeing the difference it makes to the sense of being respected and loved.
I found putting a black mat on floor close to the front and back door was perceived as a hole ...therefore confused and delayed opening the front door (and going walkabout) that delay gave me enough time to say something like, “ kettles on, do you fancy a cuppa?” ..... I hope this tip helps you
I hope that sharing my years of experience caring for my dad who had advanced dementia will help you.
At the stage when my dad wouldn’t think about eating and would have to be promoted. I found that putting food out for yourself/others at the same time as my is helpful. (Poss connected to good manners ? copying ?). I would say things like “ mmm I like this (whatever) what do think of it dad?” ... “have you tried the carrots”. Eating with others helped for quite a while.
Later when he forgot how to use a knife and fork and how to feel hungry I worried about getting enough nutrition into him and I wanted to help him maintain the last vestiges of independence. I found that to get him involved and to think about food was helpful. I’d make a batch of buns with as many eggs as I can get in the mix (sneaking in ground almond) and ‘I need your help daddy’’ (stir the mix ) and when they were in oven I’d say things like “let’s have a cuppa while they are baking..(give him a biscuit with chocolate on) .keeping him in the kitchen and chat “nice biscuit..... wait for him to bite ... mmm they’re good etc......... oh wow don’t those buns smell great 😁 nearly ready”..... “ does the smell of those buns cooking make you feel as hungry as me?” Etc. He could pick up and eat a bun (I’d remove the cases) later I’d give him a half a bun with a cuppa, Then another and so on. ..as much as poss throughout the day whilst trying to not over-face him.
Id try add as much protein as bun mix could hold ... more eggs than necessary, a tablespoon (more) of ground almonds. I didn’t dare let him see me add grated carrot 😁
Other finger foods such as pieces of sausage roll, half a scotch egg, a strawberry, slice of orange (dipped in sugar 😱) . I figured any food is better than no food and little and often helped maintain health.
I hope that is useful to somebody.
1- Take a notebook and a pen to all appointments and prepare a short list of questions to ask them too. Make sure that you trust your doctors. Request second opinions if you need to.
2- Encourage your child to develop independence. For our family this means letting my son fill out paperwork and forms. I always print off two copies of the form one for practice and one that will be sent off. This is a good way to develop their literacy skills.
3- Be a good role model from the start. Stay positive and praise your child. Oh and do take time off for yourself as well. My partner watches my son and daughter whenever I am in the shower or napping.
4-Ask for help. I was ashamed at first but now I am grateful for our social worker. There is nothing terrible about requiring additional assistance at all. It makes my life easier.
Your no 1. Tip re take a note book and prepared questions ..,,I did that and it served me well and I’ve carried it on for my own appointments. No more getting home and thinking “OMG I forgot to mention xyz “ or “what did the doctor say “ ...... Also, I honestly think that if a medic sees you making a swift note they seem to pay more attention to what you are saying.
I have gotten into a habit of writing a gratitude journal so that I can write down things I’m grateful for, such as having a home, my pets, my husband, my mum, a fresh day, even just hearing the sound of the birds outside, the air I breathe etc.
I find if I do that I can feel better even if just for a couple of hours or even the whole day or just in that moment as I think about what is good in my life to take the negative thoughts away for a bit of time.
Before sleeping, I use YouTube to do some meditation to help relax my painful body and clear my mind.
I know this is completely different to the other comments as it’s not anything to help with physical things, which I also do suffer with, and have found many comments very helpful.
So I’m grateful to be part of Scope’s community too.
If we are at a pub or restaurant I politely ask the waitress if we could move one or two chairs to make room for a wheelchair.
On day trips I always try to find out if there is a disabled wheelchair friendly toilet on site for us to use.
It simplifies what is often a challenging task for me.
1. When concentrating on a project, assignment or any kind of work, put your mobile on do not disturb and download the app Hold from your app store/play-store, that way you can focus directly on the assignment, piece of work and your mobile is elsewhere holding. You can even use it for watching your fave soaps.
2. Download apps like wunderlist, to do list on your app store and store all of your to do on there.
3. From Amazon order an Elfink book, it's really simple to write your To Do lists on your Elfinbook and then rub it off with a cloth, I use it for everything from writing notes, reminders, to lists and I take everywhere I go with me. But you will need an erasable pen.
4. Use an app like coach.me for reminders for everyday essentials. Have I taken my meds this morning? it's logged on your mobile.
5. Take your meds as prescribed by your GP
6. Make use of websites outside of Facebook for social contact, join groups on facebook for your interests, activities, things you love doing.
7. Use Siri if you struggle to text
8. Have an interest you love doing, don't just sit and dwell on illnesses and disabilities, make sensible plans for yourself
9. If you have nice groups in your area, then why not try it out? if not suggest using online colleges and make use of your local college/university.
10. Stay away from faddy things that believe that long term illnesses and disabilities can be cured. You will see an advert on facebook "I tried slimming world and lost 18 lbs and my fibromyalgia is gone.
11. Make use of youtube, Netflix or any kind of streaming service to help you through the day.
12. If you are feeling lonely and low at times, I know the feeling, it helps to have the radio on during the day or your favourite Spotify.
13. Get some penpals, write letters, bullet journal.
14. Play with your pets
15. Always seek help you are feeling extremely low.
2 hours . I really do hope all is now quite on the western front. Ron
This is something I learned the hard way. Oh and do teach them life skills too.
One other tip is to make enough for two meals. Eat one and freeze the other.
Freeze one in either a plastic tub. First oil the tub with vegetable oil.
Prevents staining if you do that. Helps especially those meals with Tomato based sauces.
Or use Zip bags and lay them flat to freeze then stand them up like a book. In the freezer saves space.
I make batch cook all the time happy to help just contact me.
Always have recipes. Simple and easy. Things like soups and Bolognese or Chilli plus lots more.
Do not cost a lot.
Take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
To order adapted clothing use this website http://www.disabled-clothing.co.uk/
If you are new to caring I recommend this site https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/ Lots of useful information
Oh and a little tip I learnt the hard way - learn your limits (physical or mental) and never apologise for sticking to them; only push yourself if you will gain personally and not just to 'keep up' with or avoid disappointing others.
My partner wanted to see a musical in the fall (we love musicals and plays) for his 27th birthday. So last night we found this website when doing some informal research. You can see comments on the quality of the seats as well.
http://www.theatremonkey.com/
It contains a ton of information on seats. You can even see seating plans on the site too. Very useful. Oh and there is even the chance to review the play or musical afterwards as well. I recommend this site. Prices are listed in addition.
Going out for a meal in London?
You will love this website. https://www.opentable.co.uk/london-restaurants
Reading your tips has been really useful. I can only add that when using public transport I always need to spend a penny and I am unable to hold it really these days, best thing I ever got hold of is my Radar key which has been a life saver for those needs. Can be purchased via Amazon for about £1.87 for one.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=radar+key+for+disabled+toilets&crid=37AN0QAOD60P&sprefix=Rad%2Caps%2C187&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_3
Senior online community officer
Then your ready to start. Another idea is to use food processor slicer for veggies and store them in clip bags or Zip bags easy storage.
Done that this morning.
Keep them in the crisp box or salad box fridge cooler there and will not go off.
If you have a blender use jars sauces in the blender with already sliced Carrots helps to hide veggies sweetens the sauce no need for sugar.
Do the same with Onions slicer attachment food processor into sauces.
Just done Potatoes and Kale blanched and ready to be used in meals now can store in fridge. Just add Kale last minute.
Also ready cooked Potatoes, great in instant salad. One teaspoon of Mayo, Horseradish a touch of lemon juice.
I like your cleaning tips. I do that . Great minds think a like. lol.
I use still do make a peanut sandwich any favourite one hide it in the fridge do the task then eat the sandwich.
PNB because energizes you more and is a healthy snack but consider housework or cleaning is an form of exercise.
Helps you keep fit.
Anything I can help with very happy to be supportive. Any ideas or suggestions.
Take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
Senior online community officer
I have so many ideas and things I do. Happy as I do share and care every one of my ideas.
Could be start of something could it not. Do not know where to begin.
See what happens.
Thanks as always the support.
Your friend
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
Senior online community officer
As those books are so easy to read and quickly learn how to do things.
Wishing everyone today to have a good day.
Senior online community officer
@MaxineAshley, what would you blog about? I always love finding new blogs to read!
I have a couple ideas about doing my blog.
1. Living with agoraphobia, while I write my novel.
2. Also being a vegan with ideas for recipes and makeup, perfumes, all toiletries and clothes too.
And a few other ideas too.
My novel is the first in a trilogy, it’s a comedy romance with the ups and downs of my main character.
Also I’m writing children’s stories too.
And I have so many ideas about other stories for novels too.
My brain is full of ideas, and my laptop has so many stories I have started writing each story so far.
I love the freedom of writing and allowing my creative mind take over the other parts that I need to forget about.
The Dummies Guide to Navigating Scope 💡
That is something we have thought about before! Do people think this would be helpful to have video guides to navigate the site?
Senior online community officer
How to do a task can do it and copy it. Words are sometimes my mind gets mixed up and have to write it down in my own way. So I can adapt to my own needs.
Reason why my recipes I tailor them and make it clear as I can for every one who may have either some difficulties in one way or another.
Not every one also has the knowledge and experience to understand how to do technical stuff on the web or the forum.
If you go to Curry's electrical store on the web as well their own website have instructional guides on most things and aspects of electrical items.
Hope that helps.
One other thing you mentioned about me starting a blog just the technical side and need probably some guidance and some other advice to think about that.
Including legalities and to cover my self protection . Data and everything around that.
I think it is different when your writing but me myself if I am showing people who and how to do recipes.
There must be some sort of protection of data. The laws around that to prevent those using my recipes if they did for their own gain and profit has been known.
I do not mind every one using my recipes for their own self. That was the whole idea of showing members of our community ideas and recipes.
Some times in the past have shown some one a recipe and found that they have claimed for their own self. It is me shown them in the first place.
Understanding that did hurt and thought well yes that was my recipe but taking credit for some one else's recipe not a good idea.
Causing relationships, friendships to be broken. Loose lips sink ships. Spring to mind.
Plagiarism is a bone of contention in the cooking community. Been lots of recipes.
Also one point I know myself have the anxiety of showing my face and am always aware of my own self my own security and personal space.
All these are in my thoughts.
Take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
Be nice to people. Anger, hate, envy, jealousy any negative emotion are all taking from the limited energy you have to make dreams happen and enjoy life. Let go of what others think. Live and do what's best for you and the right people will come to your aid
Enjoy talking to people if you feel it will lift you. Be wise with your energy. Say no if required and/or set boundaries. If you're feeling low or need a connection, here is great, YouTube is also useful and there is a free community of listeners called 7 Cups which pairs you with someone to talk to.
Hope it helps
Thanks for all the tips - love the cooking ones from @thespiceman and the one about the bags for the shoes
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