Arthritis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier

179 Pages·2008·1.7 MB·English

by  Shelley Peterman Schwarz

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Arthritis e
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300 TIPS FOR MAKING LIFE EASIER h
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Learn how to organize your work day, simplify household chores, conserve energy,
and manage your medical needs, even in the face of a painful chronic condition.
Arthritis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier contains more than 300 tips, techniques, and
shortcuts for the more than sixty million people afflicted with some form of arthritis.
Author Shelley Peterman Schwarz has lived with a chronic disease for many years Bonus!
and as a result has developed a wealth of ideas to make the daily tasks of life easier, Over 100
less frustrating, and more enjoyable. A Extra Tips
whicYho ua lwsoil li nficnldu daells tohrigs ainnifzoarmtioantiso na nind tohtihse wr eslul poprgoartn gizreodu pasn dw ietahs yfu-tlol -aredaddre bsosoeks,, RT Included
phone numbers, and web sites. The book will help you to: H
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• Protect your joints
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• Manage pain
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• Make use of new technologies S
• Organize and keep your medical records
• Save time and channel your energy productively
• And much more!
If you or a loved one suffers from arthritis, you already know what a challenging
3
condition it can be. Let this book help you stop struggling and start enjoying life! 0
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About the Author: Shelley Peterman Schwarz was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ip F O R M A K IN G L I F E E A S I ER
s
in 1979, while working part-time as a teacher of the deaf. Since 1985 she has f
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published hundreds of articles and is the author of the bestselling Multiple Sclerosis: r
M
300 Tips For Making Life Easier and Parkinson’s Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life a
k
Easier. Shelley has received numerous awards including the Mother of the Year in
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from the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Partner
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in Health award from the Combined Health Appeal of America, and the Spirit of ife PERSONAL CARE • GROOMING • DRESSING TIPS • SHOPPING • MEAL
the American Woman award from J.C. Penney. Her nationally syndicated column, E
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“Making Life Easier,” appears in numerous newspapers and magazines across the sie PREPARATION • WRITING AND RECORD KEEPING • HOME SAFETY
country. r
• • • •
KITCHENS AND BATHS HOUSECLEANING OFFICE WORK CARRYING
• • •
Cover design by: Cathleen Elliott ISBN-13: 978-1-932603-67-5 ITEMS USING A CANE RECORD KEEPING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS
ISBN-10: 1-932603-67-0
51695 • SUPPORT GROUPS • HOW TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES
386 Park Avenue South, Suite 301
New York, NY 10016
www.demoshealth.com
Shelley Peterman Schwarz
$16.95 9 781932 603675
Distributed in the US and Canada by Publishers Group West
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Arthritis
300 TIPS
for Making Life Easier
Karp front:Layout 1 7/31/08 2:59 PM Page ii
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Arthritis
300 TIPS
for Making Life Easier
Shelley Peterman Schwarz
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Visitourwebsiteatwww.demosmedpub.com
©2009DemosMedicalPublishing,LLC.Allrightsreserved.Thisbookis
protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a
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MedicalinformationprovidedbyDemosHealth,intheabsenceofavisit
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entjudgmentabouttheappropriatenessorrisksofaprocedureortherapy
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errors or omissions. The editors and publisher welcome any reader to
reporttothepublisheranydiscrepanciesorinaccuraciesnoticed.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Schwarz,ShelleyPeterman.
Arthritis:300andmoretipsformakinglifeeasier/Shelley
PetermanSchwarz.
p. cm.
Includesindex.
ISBN-13:978-1-932603-67-5(pbk.:alk.paper)
ISBN-10: 1-932603-67-0(pbk.:alk.paper)
1. Arthritis—Popularworks. I. Title.
RC933.S294 2009
′
616.722—dc22 2008017418
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Contents
AWordfromtheAuthor vi
Acknowledgments ix
1. BasicConceptsforMakingLifeEasier 1
2. EmpoweringYourself 17
3. ManagingMedicalIssues 29
4. InYourHome 39
5. ManagingMealtimeMadness 73
6. LookingGood,FeelingBetter 93
7. TakingCareofYou 107
8. GettingOutandAbout 125
Resources 139
Index 155
AbouttheAuthor 163
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A Word from the Author
Dear Reader,
When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), in
1979,itchangedmylifeinwaysIcouldneverimagine.For
afewyears,Itriedtoignorethediseaseandpassasnormal,
but eventually my limitations became more serious and I
beganusingathree-wheeledAmigoscootertogetaround.
It was then that I had to come to terms with the fact that I
had a progressively degenerative disease that was having
animpactonmylifeandthelivesofmyfamilyandfriends
aswell.
Because I am severely disabled by my chronic illness, I
have had to modify, streamline, and make changes to the
wayIlive.Overtheyears,I’velearnedsomebasicconcepts
thathavehelpedmeimmensely,andI’velearnedthousands
of simple time- and energy-saving tips that make a big dif-
ferenceinthequalityofmylife.
Toupdatethisbook,Iusedmypersonalexperience,my
professionaltrainingasateacheroftheDeaf,andinterviews
I conducted with people living with arthritis and related
medical conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, osteoporosis,
ankylosing spondylitis, and others. Talking to others with
chronic illnesses and disabilities has taught me a lot about
survivalandthehumanspirit,andhowstrongandresilient
people can be. We may not have a choice about having an
illness,butwedohaveachoiceinthewaywereacttoit.
Thisbookfeaturestipstohelpyoustreamlinedailyactiv-
ities,findwaystostayinvolvedandintouch,anddiscover
local, state, and national resources to make your life easier.
Thebookisarrangedincategoriesofdailyactivitiesforeasy
reference.Atthebeginningofeachchapter,Isharesomeof
vii
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viii
the insights and observations people have shared with me
about living with arthritis. It is my hope that these simple,
inexpensivehintswillsaveyoutimeandenergy,lessenyour
frustration,andpromotesafetyandindependence.
In this book, I’ve tried to select the very best and most
helpfulresourcesforpeoplelivingwitharthritisandrelated
medical conditions. Most of the products I mention in this
book are available in drug, discount, hardware, building
supply,andhomeimprovementstores.Aresourcesectionat
theendofeachchapterwillhelpyoufindtheuniqueitems
youfeelwouldbemosthelpfultoyou.
Keep in mind that product offerings change from time
to time. If you have difficulty locating an item at the
resource listed, do an Internet search on the term, and you
willlikelyfindanalternativesource.Ifyoustilldonotfind
whatyouarelookingfor,checkwithyourdoctor,clinic,or
local arthritis support chapter for advice on products to
meet your specific needs. I hope that learning how other
people deal with the challenges of arthritis will help you
keep a positive attitude on your journey. May my book
inspire you and help you face the future with a sense of
empowermentandcontroloveryourillness.
Iwishyouallthebest,
ShelleyPetermanSchwarz
P.S.If,afterreadingthisbook,you’dliketoshareyourown
™
Tips for Making Life Easier , or if you just want to “chat”
visit my web site, www.MakingLifeEasier.com or e-mail
[email protected].
AWordfromtheAuthor