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Useful Energy Saving Tips
updated 06/01/17- if you have any more tips please email VonBoth this leaflet and the comic strip below are very useful to give to friends, family, carers etc and also ask them to put some in eg workplaces, waiting rooms, libraries, church etc. I try to give it to all callers to the house - even lost lorry drivers asking directions! My motto is 'No-one escapes without'.
Download ME Awareness leaflet for general public
NB You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access it which you can download for free
If you just want to see text (NB may not be up to date) because you have not downloaded adobe reader, click
ME Awareness leaflet
Click here - to download the comic strip, created by Laura Chamberlain Social Workers can provide meals on wheels or home care to help with bathing/dressing/meals etc.
They can also refer you to other people, eg. an Occupational Therapist who can provide you with a wheelchair
or stairlift or other energy saving equipment.
ME Awareness Comic Strip for General Public
This A4 page comic strip is an excellent illustration of how Post Exertional Malaise affects people with ME,
useful to give to friends, family, carers etc with the above ME Awareness leaflet.

Care and Social Services
Assessment of Need
If you are having difficulties looking after yourself or preparing meals you can have an Assessment of Need by a
social worker. Referral can be through your GP or you can ring your local social services department
(number in the phone book) directly.
It is useful to make a list of bullet points of how ME affects your ability to do things and also of the care you need to save energy explaining and in case you forget.
Occupational Therapy Department
Social Services Occupational Therapy Department can provide an array of energy saving equipment, from shower stools to wheelchairs, perching stools to stairlifts, recliner chairs to electric beds.
If you are not already assigned an O.T. you can be referred by your GP, through a Social Worker or you can phone direct (number in your local phone book) and ask for an Occupational Therapy assessment. It is a good idea to have an assessment as they can suggest things you may not have thought of!

Computer
Abilitynet (a charity which aims to help people with
disabilities by funding computer/communications equipment)
ITcanhelp.org.uk (a network of volunteers who are able to offer free local computer assistance to disabled people)
Computer setups for the reclining
a disability website with useful tips - Alison H
Automatic Form filler - Cat
Use
Roboform - a free download,
to remember passwords etc. Saves a lot of hassle, not to mention
typing (great for filling in name & address in when shopping).
Low level table - Von
Rearrange the furniture, put the computer and mouse on a low coffee table so you can sit in an armchair with your feet up and just move the mouse, with the keyboard on your knee if needed
It is possible to get a "wireless keyboard" - with rollerball built in or wireless keyboard and wireless mouse.
Extension cables and Tracker ball - Kevin
You can get extension cables for your keyboard and mouse if you prefer a cable to wireless ones. I managed to operate my computer in bed that way.
Its even easier if you use a tracker ball instead of a mouse. You can get a small one which clips onto the side of the keyboard. Don't fall asleep on top of it, it hurts. :-(((
Wall mounted monitor - Nick
Get one of those brackets for wall-mounting a television for the monitor; the angle of tilt and height can be
varied in good ones, so it should be possible to lie down looking up at the screen and have the keyboard in one's lap.
Of course it needs a wall near to where you lie/slouch.
Speech Software - Jo
Speech software reads any text in a variety of synthetic voices if you struggle to read
long or complicated documents on your PC.
Reduce noise from your pc - Chris
If you are noise sensitive you can fit a super quiet power supply and CPU cooler to your computer.
Details can be found at
http://www.quietpc.com
Finger Mouse - Mike
It fits on to your index finger and allows you to do the same as a regular mouse, but at the same time allows you
to sit back in the comfort of your chair, and of course eliminating any compression with muscle pain etc.
The lead is much longer than a conventional mouse, and was originally designed for lap- tops and presentation,
allowing the person to stand back from the computer.
I got mine from Staples , but you should be able to get them in most computer stores, PC World etc.
Break Reminder
software to tell you when to have a break from the computer available from
www.cheqsoft.com

Phone
Hands Free Phone - Jo
If you have trouble holding a telephone for too long you can get a hands free one.
Call BT on 0800 800 150 for a free guide on help for disabled customers (you can also
get priority repairs etc.)
Stop Junk Calls - Mags
I got Bt's TPS service on my phone and hardly ever get any junk calls now.
You can register online at
TPS
to set it up
Cordless phone with headset - Jo
I have a digital cordless phone which I love, but find holding
it to my ear really tiring. With much digging I found out that some Panasonic DECT cordless
phones have headset jacks on the side.
For further information on suitable models contact Panasonic
If you buy a headset do make sure you buy a headset suitable for a DECT phone though, NOT a mobile phone!
Hang cordless phone round your neck - Von
I kept mislaying mine and wasted energy looking so have made a bag out of a pretty embroidered specs case that just fits
and sewed on a cord so I can hang it round my neck and it is brilliant! You can get phone pouches on EBay too.
Answer Phone - Serena
so friends can leave a message while you are resting
Caller Display - Wend
so you can choose who to answer as some callers are more tiring

Food and Drink
Avoid rolling out pastry etc - Von
My sister in law makes a fat sausage of Welsh cake mixture and chills it in the fridge or freezer till firm
then cuts it into rounds with a knife.
I did the same with Jusroll pastry to make little pastry tops to have with stewed fruit or stew and
froze them for later use. I put it on a tray and did it all sitting in bed!
Lemon cubes - Von
Squeeze lemons on a good day and freeze in ice cubes ready for cooking. I get several organic lemons, grate the zest and put it in the cubes before adding the juice and I also add fresh thyme to some of the lemon cubes.
Microwave Vegetable Steamer - Von
- saves getting up and down to see if it is boiling and
turning it down, saves straining as you just take the basket out, saves washing pans and colendars
Fresh Veg:
Put a little water in the bottom and cook the veg. You just need to get the timing right!
NB.For potatoes, put in basket, cover with boiling water and cook for 15 mins.
Frozen Veg:
Put in basket, cover with boiling water and cook about 5 mins. I found they didn't steam well.
Slow Cooker - Von
My carer who comes twice a day, puts a stew in the slow cooker in the morning and it is ready in the evening. Otherwise she never has time to do a soupy meal!




