So many in the survival/preparedness world emphasize skills over knowledge. Skills are essential, no argument here. But knowledge also has its place. When we don’t have the experience that skills provide, knowledge (in the form of a list) comes in handy.
I’ve been without the use of a hand here and there. When I took off my pinky. When a finger got infected and was incredibly painful. For others it might be a broken bone or a sprained wrist. Hopefully, it’s only a short-term issue.
An internet acquaintance on my favorite forum asked for tips in preparing well for life after hand surgery. She was told she wouldn’t be able to use her hand for three months. And she lives alone. Fortunately, she received a lot of recommendations from folks experienced in this inconvenience. Some definitely only applied to our modern world or were prohibitively expensive for a short-term situation. Others are much easier to implement in a crisis.
What preparations can we make to accommodate the restricted use of a hand?
In the shower:
Plastic bags and rubber bands to cover bandages. Use two at a time.
A bottle sponge or soft brush for washing the armpit of the good hand.
A shower brush.
A shower chair.
A hair brush in the shower to help wash hair. Some didn’t have trouble washing with one hand.
A cotton terry cloth robe to dry off the back or a large bath towel laid on the bed, and then the patient lies down on top of the towel.
Flip top or pump bottles for shampoo and conditioner.
Felted soap or a soap sock.
In the bathroom:
Flip top toothpaste tube
Electric razor
Flossers instead of dental floss
Bidet
Open pill bottles and put them in a secure location out of the reach of children.
In the kitchen:
Prepare minimal prep meals
Automatic Electric can opener
Extra food
In the bedroom
Back scratcher
Slip on or Velcro shoes
Oversized shirts
Put away clothing with buttons, fastens, or snaps in the back or with drawstrings, anything you won’t be able to wear. Or if clothing is limited, attach temporary Velcro strips to clothing where manipulating snaps, buttons, and zippers might be difficult.
Wear pants with elastic waistbands.
Wear a sports bra instead of a regular one
Get an extra-long handled shoe horn to put boots on, or wear slip on shoes.
In general:
Consider a well-organized fanny pack. It can be difficult to get money out of a wallet one-handed.
Do tasks with your feet if you have good balance—flush toilets, open doors, turn on lights and faucets, etc.
Move items that are out of reach into reach.
Avoid overusing or stressing the good wrist.
If you have a high kitchen faucet, perhaps use that to wash your hair. It can reduce the risk of getting a cast wet.
Look on the bright side. Make it a time to solidify and build bonds with other family members, perhaps reading to or playing games with young children.
