How to Make Life Easier with One Arm
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Living with one arm in a world built for people with two arms and hands is not easy. Thankfully, there are tricks you can do and devices you can buy to make everyday tasks a little less difficult with a broken bone. Here are eight things to make life easier with a broken arm:
Invest in adaptive clothing.
Getting dressed is one of the most frustrating tasks to do with one hand, and having a sling or arm cast complicates things further. Regular clothes with buttons and other tricky closures simply need two hands to operate. Some assistive devices, such as one-handed button hooks, can make the process feasible, but are still time-consuming and frustrating to operate. Instead, you should consider getting adaptive clothing that is designed specifically to support one handed dressing techniques. These clothes feature pull-on styles that skip closures altogether or employ innovative closures such as magnets to make it easy to get dressed with one hand.
Get slip-on shoes.
It’s possible to tie your shoelaces with one hand, but it’s difficult to learn and time-consuming as well. Instead, consider switching to slip-on shoes that don’t have closures, or shoes with adjustable Velcro tabs that you can easily operate with one hand. If you have laced shoes you are attached to, get some elasticized laces that you only have to tie once and then wear the shoe as a slip-on. Depending on your mobility, you might also find it helpful to get a long-handled shoehorn to help you put your shoes on.
Buy special kitchen gadgets.
There are a plethora of kitchen gadgets designed for one-handed use. Some of the most popular devices are automated jar and can openers and cutting boards with stainless steel pins to hold things in place while you chop, but there are many different ones available to suit various needs. “Regular” automated kitchen products, such as electric mixers and automated vegetable peelers, will also make cooking easier on you with an arm fracture or break.
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Update your bathroom.
The kitchen isn’t the only room in your house that might need some updating. Lots of bathroom tasks are also difficult to navigate with one hand. For bathing, people find a sponge (sometimes mounted on a handle) is easier to use than a washcloth. Floss picks allow you to continue flossing even with one hand. If you dry your hair, then consider getting a hair dryer stand so you can use your hand to wield a comb, brush or other styling tool.
Try Modified Household Cleaning Tools
Cleaning can be a challenging task with an injured arm, but using modified tools can make it easier. Lightweight, easy-reach extendable dusters and mops can help clean hard-to-reach areas without excessive bending or stretching. Consider using robotic vacuum cleaners to take care of floors with minimal effort. One-handed spray bottles and cleaning wipes are also convenient for maintaining cleanliness without the need for extensive scrubbing or squeezing.
Buy non-slip silicone pads.
One of the most difficult things about living with one hand is not having an extra hand to stabilize an object while you work with it. To remedy this, get non-slip silicone pads and leave them on surfaces around your house such as kitchen counters, bathroom counters, nightstands and end tables until your broken bone is healed. Then, whenever you need to open a jar or something else, you can use the silicone pad to hold it in place and prevent it from slipping.
Make some upgrades to your car.
You might still be able to drive your car during the healing process, with a few modifications. A steering wheel knob will give you a better grip, especially during turns (it’s also great for people with arthritis or other limited mobility in the hands). If you have trouble working your lights or wipers, you may be able to get your vehicle modified so that the controls are on the floorboard and you can operate them with your foot instead of your hand. You might also be able to find an adapted vehicle that already has these controls built in instead of trying to find a mechanic to make the modifications for you.
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Keep hand sanitizer on you while traveling.
Unfortunately, some sinks in public bathrooms require two hands to operate: one hand to push down the button on the faucet while you wash your other hand. Obviously, this isn’t an option if you only have one hand, so it’s a good idea to keep hand sanitizer on you while traveling or running errands. Look for the pump style bottles, which will be easier to operate with an injured arm as compared to the squeeze bottle.
Lending a Helping Hand: How to Help an Elderly Person With a Broken Arm
If you’re seeking these tips for an older loved one rather than yourself, here’s how you can be the ninth thing on this list to help alleviate their pain and stress during the healing process. Dedicating time to visit and help with their everyday tasks from cooking and cleaning to brushing their hair and getting ready for bed can make a world of a difference. Ensuring that they keep up with personal hygiene and can manage pain medication despite the limited dexterity is key as well. And of course, spoiling them with gifts from this list or other gifts for hospital patients is another way you can make their road to recovery smoother. Adaptive clothing is a great place to start – without the ability to get dressed, the rest of the day’s action items are even harder to tackle.
Ready to make getting dressed the easiest part of your loved one’s day? Shop adaptive clothing for both men and women here at Silverts, including men’s elastic waist pants and women’s duster house dresses. Order today and get free shipping on your U.S. order in the lower 48 states!
Source:
NHTSA, Adapted Vehicles. https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/adapted-vehicles. Accessed on July 31, 2024.
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