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Dear Heloise: I strongly agreewith Michael I’s. response to the original letter. He’s spot-on — a walker is for walking only.
As a retired physical therapist with 42 years of experience, much of it being in home care, I’ve seen many near disasters when observing people use a walker as it pertains to standing. One of the first things to teach someone when using a walker is not to use it when it comes to standing. We’re supposed to teach them alternative, safe ways.
With all due respect, I didn’t like your attempt at a humorous response of using a walker to quickly exit a house if the house was on fire, without thought as to whether the person’s disoriented. Try exiting quickly while you’re lying injured on the floor. — Keith S., via email
Keith, first, I must correct on you one point. Leaving a house or any building that’s up in flames isn’t an attempt at humor. How on earth could it be?
Since you worked in physical therapy, I’m sure you saw many people misuse their walkers because they didn’t know any better. Perhaps when you have the time, you can tell my readers what the best way of standing up or getting out of bed is, if it isn’t depending on walkers in some way. — Heloise
CLEAN NAILS AFTER GARDENING
Dear Heloise: When gardening, I found a way to avoid getting dirt under my nails, which is hard to get out. (You might’ve heard of this before, but it bears repeating.) I keep an old bar of soap with my garden tools. Before I start gardening, I scrape the soap bar with my nails so that enough soap gets under my nails. When I’m finished with my task, I wash my hands well, and the soap dissolves. The results afterward are nice, clean nails! — Maureen H., in Amherst, New York
DAILY WATER FOR ALL PETS
Dear Heloise: Excellent point about daily fresh water for your dogs! Please also remind folks that cats need clean water as well. Ceramic fountains are great because they keep water circulating, but these also require attention for the same reasons as dog bowls. Saliva and hair accumulate on the sides and in the water. You can usually see this in the form of foam on the surface.
Make sure to regularly replace the filter under the fountain dome, and thoroughly clean the inside and outside for your furry companions! — Louis P., in North Carolina
Louis, especially during the warmer months of the year, it’s so important that animals have lots of clean, safe drinking water. I use metal mixing bowls for my animals, and this includes other furry friends as well.
After the sun goes down, it’s like “Wild Kingdom” with armadillos, raccoons and skunks passing through my backyard! — Heloise
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.