============================================================

I recently requested hints and tips to help the elderly, infirm and/or less able and I received some very useful suggestions from a lady working in a nursing home.

1:    My husband has a hard time reading Rx labels and figuring out what his medicine is for. So I take a sharpie (marker) and write in big print (without obstructing the prescription number) heart, sugar, thyroid, pain, etc on his bottles. I also put on the LID numbers from 1-4.  1 means am, 2 means lunchtime, 3 dinner and 4 means pm.  So if the lid has the numbers 1 and 3 on it...he knows to take that pill in the am and at dinner. When he gets a new Rx, I just switch lids.

2. People who have arthritis can benefit from a cup with a big handle that 4 fingers can fit in to steady the cup.

3. A pair of kitchen scissors is very practical. They can be used to open snacks and bags of frozen veggies as well as for cutting things like celery or meat into cubes.

4. A nutcracker is very handy to open soda bottles.

5. Hand lotion put on a persons arms or legs when they get out of the shower will keep them warm in the winter.