The small things that make life unexpectedly easier

Theme: The Beauty

Apparently, this is what excites me now
The things I didn’t expect to feel this pleased about
Little things that made a big difference

Has My World Really Shrunk This Much?!

As I’m always saying - and carers don’t need reminding - life as a caregiver can feel chaotic, overwhelming, and wildly unpredictable.

And yet… we all discover game-changers. Small things we suddenly can’t live without. Maybe it says something about how focused our worlds become, but these little discoveries genuinely feel exciting.

Have a look - you might see why.

Coverless Duvet

How did I not know about these sooner?

A single duvet, 4.5 tog. Washes in 15 minutes and dries outside in about an hour. I have two, which means a quick swap is always ready for Milly - and no wrestling with duvet covers.

When washing can feel like a full-time job, this one change removes so much stress. About £50, but completely worth it.

Date, Day and Time Clock

A lifesaver - for Milly and for me.

When she’s not in her ‘safe place’, she can become anxious and repeatedly asks what time and day it is. When she’s in her room, she checks the clock constantly - sometimes every ten minutes.

This clock reassures her without her needing to ask, and it keeps us both calmer.

Camera

£20 that gives me freedom and keeps Milly safe.

After her leg surgery, she was mostly bed-bound, on strong painkillers, and confused about what she could and couldn’t do. She’d suddenly decide to get up - without help, and without her frame.

Watching her day and night was impossible, so we installed a camera in her room. I set movement alerts, and even now, if she moves in a risky way, my phone or our tablet device buzzes. I can either go straight to her or talk her through it.

“Milly! Can you wait a minute? Don’t get out of bed on your own.” “Use your frame!"

Game-changer doesn’t even begin to cover it. I can be quite a distance away and relaxing, doing my own thing, and still keep her safe.

Door Alarms

Three alarms for around £15. Easy to install, loud, and tiny enough that Milly doesn’t even notice them.

They make me smile almost every day. I’ll pop in after the alert and she’ll often say, “You always seem to know when I’m just about to …”

Hand Sanitiser

Such a relief not to be washing hands every two hours.

Quick, easy, and oddly calming. Milly now goes into a kind of meditative state rubbing it in - she genuinely loves it. A tiny thing that saves so much hassle.

White Board

This was essential when she lived alone, and I still use it now.

It avoids me answering the same questions repeatedly. I also use it for little uplifting messages:

You’re doing brilliantly.
How can you be 90?!

Sometimes reassurance written down is just as powerful as saying it aloud.

Moisturiser (Instead of Wipes!)

Wipes are expensive, and I always ran out at the worst possible moment.

Then I discovered tissue + moisturiser works just as well, if not better - and goes down the loo. Cheaper, gentler, and honestly amazing.

One Last Tip

Cold water on soiled flannels. Always.
Never hot - hot water just beds it in.

Unexpected Gamechangers