Advice on everyday needed items

[theresabuxton]

Hi I am 3 weeks out of surgery, amputated my left hand.  Any advice on things I need when released from rehab to make home life easier.  I will be getting new hand but we know that takes time.  Any idea where to buy the things I may need.  Thanks for the  help.

[snowyh]

First of all, Theresa, you'll find you're able to do with one hand about 95% of what you used to do with two hands, though it may take a little practice (and patience) to figure out the new system. For instance, you'll be using your mouth, knees & thighs, and occasionally your feet to grasp/hold/pull things--jars & bottles, keys, gloves, etc. Many tasks can be completed with one hand, though it may take a little longer--opening a door while carrying something, getting stuff in or out of a cabinet or the fridge, getting money in/out of a wallet, etc. Since you still have most of your residual limb, you may even be able to master some of the 5% that has eluded me--lifting and carrying large/bulky items, catching or throwing a beach ball, putting hair in a ponytail or bun, etc.

I've found the following items to be helpful around the house--all can be found on Amazon or ebay if not available in your local store:

• a bath bench, so you can sit while washing your feet (safer than balancing on one soapy foot since you're lacking another hand to brace yourself)
• a "one-handed" or "easy tear" paper towel holder (has a tension rod to hold the roll firmly and a weighted base)
• jar gripper pads (really help to give your hand extra grip strength)
• a pencil with an eraser (stick it in your mouth when you need to hold a key on one end of the keyboard while pressing another key on the opposite end of the keyboard)
• tape (to hold items in place while you perform some other action on them, like hammering)
• a rocker knife (makes it easier to cut cooked meat, since you can't really hold it down with a fork)
• kitchen shears (way easier than using a knife to cut/trim raw meat)
• things in pump bottles rather than bottles having regular lids (shampoo, moisturizer, etc.); toothpaste that has a flip top rather than a screw top
• a nail brush with suction cup base (for washing those parts of your hand that you can't reach with your fingers)
• a single-handed cutting board (has corner guards, nails to hold food in place and a non-skid base); though personally, I use a regular cutting board without too much trouble
• an electric can opener, if you don't already have one

Explore your creativity! Quit trying to do things the way you used to do them with two hands, and figure out new methods that only require one hand--I think you'll find you need very few special items. But pack your patience, 'cause it will be a little frustrating at times. I've never looked, but I wouldn't be surprised if YouTube has videos showing how arm amputees master certain everyday tasks. You can also google "assistive devices" to find websites that specialize in items that help folks with limited use of their hands. Good luck!

Helen