Work simplification/Energy Conservation Techniques:
“Work simplification is the process of developing methods of performing daily activities in order
to conserve energy and simply work. It involves doing a task or series of tasks in a planned,
orderly way so that wasted body motions are reduced to minimum.”
Plan your activities
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Allow enough time to perform all necessary tasks
Finish all activities that can be completed in one area of the house first before moving on
Do not plan too many tasks in one day
Alternate between heavy and light activities
Plan heavy activities throughout the day and not all at once
Get organized
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Prioritize the activities you want to work on
Organize your space
Organized your activities
Take your time
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Do not rush yourself
Take frequent rests
Maintain proper posture throughout the day
Self-care techniques:
Bathing techniques:
▪ Gather all materials prior to bathing
▪ Have all materials close in the tub
▪ Sit on tub bench
▪ Use hand held shower head
▪ Allow enough time for bathing
Upper body dressing techniques:
How to put clothes on:
▪ Gather all your clothes and dressing equipment. Be sure to put them in easy reach.
▪ If you have trouble with buttons or zippers on your clothes, use a button hook or a zipper pull.
▪ It’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothes.
▪ For safety and to conserve energy, sit while you dress and undress.
▪ Be sure to follow any surgical or medical precautions from your doctor or therapist when you
dress or undress.
▪ Always dress your affected (weaker) arm first.
▪ If both arms are affected, put your arms into the garment first, and then pull it over your head.
▪ Before you put on a shirt, blouse, sweater, or jacket with buttons, pre-button the bottom of the
garment. Then pull the garment over your head.
▪ If you must button a shirt or blouse while you have it on, button from the bottom and move up.
How to take off clothes:
▪ Always undress your unaffected (stronger) arm first.
▪ When you undress, grasp clothing at the neckline, and then pull it over your head.
Lower body dressing techniques:
How to put clothes on:
▪ Lay out your skirt, pants, or underwear as you normally would.
▪ Sit down. Use the reacher to pinch the waist of the garment.
▪ Lower the garment to the floor. First, slip it over the affected (weaker) leg.
Then slip it over the other (stronger) leg.
▪ Use the reacher to pull the garment up and over your knees (see figure at
right).
▪ Stand up, with your walker in front of you. Be sure to keep your balance.
▪ Pull the garment over your hips.
▪ Sit down to button or zip the garment.
How to take clothes off:
▪ Sit down to unbutton or unzip your garment.
▪ Stand up, with your walker in front of you. Be sure to keep your balance (see figure at right).
▪ Pull the garment down over your hips.
▪ Then push the garment down and over your knees.
▪ Sit down.
▪ Lower the garment to the floor. Slip it over the weaker leg first. Then slip it over your
stronger leg.
▪ Use the reacher to pinch the waist of the garment. Then remove it completely.
Meal Preparation techniques:
 Store frequently used items in most accessible locations
o Cups next to refrigerator to pour drinks
o Coffee, coffee pot, and mugs in close location
o Baking ingredients in same cabinet
o Heavy items in cabinets near dishwasher
o Frequently used food items in front of cabinets/refrigerator
o Use a mixer instead of a spoon
 Slide items along countertops instead of carrying them
 Use reacher to obtain hard to reach objects
 Use wheeled walker/cart to transport items at same time
 Prepare meals while seated
 Use built up equipment
 Remove throw rugs to avoid falls
 Use rubber openers to open cans/jars
 Use a microwave to save time and energy
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Use electric can opener
Use a dishwasher
Uses non stick pans
Housekeeping techniques:
▪ Keep cleaning items in the room you will be using them
▪ Take frequent rests when cleaning
▪ Sit to clean when possible
▪ Try not to lift and carry any cleaning items
Pursed lip breathing technique:
Pursed lip breathing is one of the simplest ways to control shortness of breath. It provides a quick
and easy way to slow your pace of breathing, making each breath more effective.
What does pursed lip breathing do?
Pursed lip breathing:
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Improves ventilation
Releases trapped air in the lungs
Keeps the airways open longer and decreases the work of breathing
Prolongs exhalation to slow the breathing rate
Improves breathing patterns by moving old air out of the lungs and allowing for new air
to enter the lungs
Relieves shortness of breath
Causes general relaxation
When should I use this technique?
Use this technique during the difficult part of any activity, such as bending, lifting or stair
climbing.
Practice this technique 4-5 times a day at first so you can get the correct breathing pattern.
Pursed lip breathing technique
1. Relax your neck and shoulder muscles. (figure to right)
2. Breathe in (inhale) slowly through your nose for two counts, keeping your
mouth closed. Don't take a deep breath; a normal breath
will do. It may help to count to yourself: inhale, one,
two. (figure to right)
3. Pucker or "purse" your lips as if you were going to
whistle or gently flicker the flame of a candle. (figure to left)
4. Breathe out (exhale) slowly and gently through your
pursed lips while counting to four. It may help to count
to yourself: exhale, one, two, three, four. (figure to right)
With regular practice, this technique will seem natural to you.
Resources:
http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/rehab/Pages/upper-body-dressing-tips.aspx
http://applications.spectrum-health.org/Education/Home/Download?filename=x07829.pdf
http://www.yeovilhospital.nhs.uk/Downloads/Patient%20information%20leaflets/Occupational%
20therapy/Energy-conservation-and-work-simplification.pdf