This is a good thread for many members to watch and contribute to.

We all know that due to our spinal conditions, there are some limitations/restrictions that require us to change the way we used to do things.

Vacuum We purchased one of those I-Robot vacuum cleaners. It does a fantastic job on wood floors, tile and rugs, We still have a normal upright (but very light vacuum cleaner. I set the I-Robot on regular schedules so that it can clean during the night while we sleep.

Kitchen / Bathroom In the Kitchen we installed a floating floor made of composite that sites on foam. This has made it much easier to stand while cleaning. For the bathroom, I basically just do the counter tops. No real change here to the way I used to do things.

CookingI just do it in spurts. I generally plan our weeks meal in advance and make 2 meals in a day, but take breaks in between. Since cooking is just one of my passions, I can tend to do more than I should, and pain some price for doing that.

Shopping Always using a shopping cart so I can push it and have something for me to rest on.

Outside We've switched to container gardening when it comes to our herbs. Its a lot easier since many of them are high enough that I dont need to get down on the ground.

LawnWe investing in a tractor. I still have a self propelled lawn mower, but the tractor does the bulk of the work

Weeding/Planting/etc Not much relief here. I just generally plan my work. Get down on the ground and essentially crawl on my knees to the next spot. I tried one of those sit down carts with wheels, but I still needed to get up and down too much.

I probably could go on and on about the different ways I've needed to approach chores, but these are the ones that come to mind.

And no matter what way I change something, alter a process, etc. I will pay the price IF I do anything too long. SO, I guess in a nutshell, I am all
for Moderation !!

My rule with my husband is if he takes the laundry down, I'll sort, wash and fold and he has to carry it up.

Bathing my kids who are 1 and 3- I get in with them. Nice hot soak for my legs and back, no leaning over the tub (hurts TERRIBLY).

Vacuuming- we bought a new house in August and had all the carpet pulled up and refinished the wood floors. This has been AMAZING! I'm able to get by with a sweeper vac every other day that weighs nothing and a swiffer wetjet.

I'm sort of lucky as Veteran's Affairs pays for housekeeping to come to my house, and for groundskeeping/snow removal as well. I say "sort of lucky" as they do this because I live alone, and don't have anyone else living here who can help me with that, and I am unable to do it myself. For the services, I am so very thankful, as I don't know what I would do otherwise. When I do have to do light housework during the week, like sweeping, I take a lot of breaks, I have to. One room at a time. I'll sweep everything into a pile, and leave it, hope like heck one of the fur critters doesn't root through the pile, and once my leg/knees/back/neck and arm have stopped screaming at me, move onto the next room and the pile gets bigger til I'm done, then I scoop it up in the dust pan and toss it. I also have a dry/wet mop that's perfect, great for the quick dust mop, and great for the quick spills as well.

I downsized to a smaller house last year, it's actually only a 1 bedroom, so I decided to use the finished 1/2 of my basement as my bedroom, that way I don't have to lug laundry up and down the stairs. I wouldn't have been able to anyways, as when I first moved in, my arm was still paralyzed. I have a bathroom down there too, along with a jacuzzi tub, so it's perfect. The laundry room is right off my bedroom, and I don't have to lug it around, and I have a spare bedroom upstairs, and they have their own bathroom!

For shopping, I only do groceries for a couple of days at a time. This ensures I get out of the house at least every other day, and that I don't have many groceries to carry, and that I won't be in the store for very long. I always use a cart to lean on for support while walking, both for my back, and because my leg and knees tend to give out after walking for a couple of minutes. For cooking, I'll do the preps first, well before it's time to actually cook, so I have lots of time to recover from that, and the actual cooking part doesn't take long. While doing the preps, I sit for as much as I can. And I don't think I'll ever live without a dishwasher ever again either

As Ron said though, it's so very important, no matter what we're doing, to do everything in moderation. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!

My first reaction to how handling chores is...less often...and liking it!

Everthing used to be more perfect when I had growing family of five. Now I look at my dishes and like..there's more in the cabinet..I don't need to do them today.

The floor washing or vaccuming..indeed the worse.. and I let anyone else do it. I just can't.

My expectations are lower. People still regard my place as immaculate...(amazing what you can throw into the closets) so I think slowing down on like the OCD of it all has helped me.

I pushed it at the beginning of all this pain..life of pain. Now..my body feeling comfortable and pain under control is a sweet day!

Lots of ideas. I hope we can keep this thread going

I just remembered a item I bought that I LOVE!

I have only found them at the 1.00 store - surprisingly.

They have a dust pan that has high sides (so the stuff don't fall out) on it and the handle comes up to about my waist. NO bending over.

We have a customer who comes in our Wine shop several times a week. He recently had a patent for a simple device that goes into the corner of your waste basket.
So when the garbage is full, instead of struggling to get the bag out, it comes out so easy. The plastic shield that goes into the basket creates an easy air way for the bag to lift out.

He is going to put this on QVC in 2 weeks. I bought one of his pre-market item. (Apprx $4-$6)

It works

cool! I think we get that channel not 100% sure...

When I had my surgery I was living alone, I had a small dog which needed to be fed, so I used to put her plastic bowls onto a long handled dustpan, this way I could lower it or lift it from the floor, the long handled broom used to help with this so no bending.

Liz that is a great idea!!! I went & got a automatic feeder and water set up, but I still have to bend to get them when they need refilled.
Thanks for sharing this very helpful idea

Your very welcome, I am glad you found this a helpful tip

About those long handle dust pans that have been mentioned here a few times - It came to me the other day that I can use one of them to pick things up. Like when I drop the remote or about anything I can slide it under or use my foot to slide it onto the dust pan.

I have one of those grabbers and they are very helpful but it is always good to have a back up plan

Speaking of the grabbers. If you have not tried one, they are very good. I have put in & pulled out a push pin from my cork board using these. They can handle that small of a task. I have also used them to lift my heavier vases and other decoration type things from high shelves. They are pretty good for just about anything