Daily Chores

Cooking Aids
Stool
For many people with ME/CFS or Long-COVID, the simple act of sitting for chopping, stirring, and other tasks makes cooking possible by reducing the energy/effort required by just enough not to trigger exhaustion or a full crash.

Ergonomic Kitchen Tools and Organization
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Knives, peelers, measuring cups with padded handles can reduce the strain and effort in using them.
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Jar openers may be necessary if fatigue, weakness or joint pain are an issue. Some folks like the ones that attach under the counter and can be used one-handed while others prefer a “rubbery” style that just makes the normal opening action easier.
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Lighter-weight cookware like plastic bowls, lighter pots and pans, and aluminum (often meant as single-use) instead of heavy glass baking dishes are easier to move and manipulate.
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​Keep cooking utensils and knives on the counter for easier access; make sure things you use the most are within reach.
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Use padded mats or slipper/shoes when you can’t sit, to decrease fatigue and foot pain.
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Replace standard shelves with shelves that roll out, if you can.
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If you own your house/unit, you can claim up to $10,000 on your taxes under a disability housing accommodation.
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Cleaning Aids
Long-Handled Tools
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Brooms, mops, and dusters with extended handles can help avoid bending and reaching.
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Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
These can clean floors without physical exertion.
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Cleaning Caddies
Keep cleaning supplies in a caddy to avoid multiple trips, and keep them in an easy-to access location (safely away from pets and kids, of course!).
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Laundry Aids
Front-Loading Washers
For some, these are easier to load and unload than top-loading machines, while for others, the act of bending over and standing up can cause dizziness and nausea (especially if you have POTS or other orthostatic issues).​
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“Best thing I did: I got a front-loader washer/dryer set and put them up on a raised stand-thing. No pulling stuff out of a deep pit. No bending over to the floor.”
An ME/CFS patient in Manitoba
Grabber Tools
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Use these to pick up laundry without bending over.
Stools, Chairs, Tables
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Sit on a stool while folding laundry.
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Fold on a full-height table (instead of the coffee table or your bed), to decrease the need to bend and stretch.
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Use the seat of your walker, a rolling chair, or rolling table, to transfer laundry to folding area.
General Strategies

Planning
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Schedule chores during times of day when energy levels are higher.
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Assistance
If possible, enlist help from family, friends, or a cleaning service.
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