Mods, if I’ve put this in the wrong forum, I apologize for making more work for you.
If you’ve read the MMP over the last couple of weeks, you’ll know that things have been going up and down with my Dad, both physically and mentally. He was a mechanic for much of his life, and he doesn’t have the steadiness or the stamina for it anymore. He loves tinkering with machines, but when there are small screws, he can’t hold on to them well anymore.
His over all mood is better right now, and I know that he’s trying to find ways to keep himself active. He tried to change the battery in his phone today and lost most of the tiny screws to the floor. The mental challenge of trying to find a way to get his battery in place and staying was great for him - even he admitted it. But the physical stuff also helps keep him feeling younger. So I was wondering, does anyone know any tricks or tools that can help him do at least some of the physical things that he used to do? (Like still being able to work on electronics and help him with getting tiny screws in tiny holes.) I just want to do whatever I can to try to keep him feeling well enough, physically and mentally, to stick around for a bit longer.
I have a little device shaped like an antenna (basically, a small extenable metal rod) with a magnet on the end. That at least helps for picking up small screws. I’m sure you can get tools with magnetized ends. It kind of depends whether the issue is dexterity (you mention steadiness), vision, or what.
More practically, it might be better to develop a hobby that is physical, problem-solving, and within his physical capabilities. Making chairs? baking? Model railroads? It doesn’t have to relate to machines, just have a process and result that’s satisfying in the same way that the mechanical stuff is.
You can definitely get tools with magnetized ends.
You can also get screw-holding screwdrivers; here’s an example, though they seem to be pretty commonly available in various brands:
For getting them back off the floor when they land there anyway, I recommend a large magnet; I’ve got one with a loop attached to the back that you tie a string to. You can just sweep it over the floor while standing up, then pick it up and look and see what it caught.
I would think that both eyesight and dexterity may be a problem with small objects.
As a mechanic most his life, your dad will have a very good grasp of physics. No the theory of relativity stuff but more “If I do this, what will be the likely result”
So I’m thinking physics puzzles. Brain it on is great. But can only be installed on mobile devices from what I see. I’m sure there are many more.
I sorry I don’t have more time to investigate right now.
You can even get magnets to magnetize and demagnetize tools. I think a tray to catch the tiny screws will help too. That’s what I use when dropping a screw is a risk.
Is poor eyesight part of the problem? A few months ago I bought my (elderly) mother this electronic magnifier. She loves it, and uses it many times each day.
Thanks, all that suggested a magnetic item to pick up the screws. He may already have one, but I’m not certain. I know that he has a small tool try that he puts parts on… until he accidentally knocks it over.
Dr. Drake, he used to cook and bake, but with his kidney problems, he’s a lot more careful about what he eats and drinks. I’m not sure where he stands on cooking or baking for more than sustenance. I can try to think up some other ideas (Wood working is my uncle’s domain. Dad’s never really been interested. )
enipla>/b>, his eyesight isn’t quite as bad. He has glasses and a magnifier. I like the physics problem idea, though it doesn’t give him the feeling of working with his hands does.
thorny_locust, I’ll have to check and see if he has one already, but if not, I think it may be a perfect gift for his birthday next month.
Mikkel, I like the magnetizing tools idea. That will help, I think.
DavidNRockies, he’s supposed to get both PT and OT twice a week. He’s been out of the hospital for 2 weeks. I’m not sure if he’s seen either one yet.
beowulff, I may have to look into the mat. Giving him a bigger surface to lose place things on seems like a great idea
Crafter_Man, that’s definitely a step up from the reading one he has (or resorting to using his camera on his phone and enlarging the picture.)
Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful suggestions!
Clean the table completely before starting. Nothing on the table, not even a salt shaker, if it isn’t the item being fixed or a tool.
Nothing on the floor, and sweep it before you start.
I avoid tools with magnets on them. Magnets are just too aggressive and, in my experience, never learn to let go. Instead, I use a refrigerator magnet to magnetize the tip of the screwdriver (by dragging across the magnet a few times). Just enough so it will pick up the screw. For small screws, a set of jewelers screwdrivers is a must, but I typically will only magnetize one of them.
I put down a sheet of parchment paper on the table. I use white (my wife has found she likes natural colored ones for baking, but I find white works best for me).
For the screws, I put them in empty prescription bottles, making sure all the screws in the same bottle are the same screw. When I am done removing screws, the top goes on the bottle.
I have started making a video of disassembly (hard to do if you’re working on your phone, I guess), talking while I do it. Something like, “I have taken 6 of these little screws off the back. At first, I though there were only 4, but I found two more at the bottom. The two at the bottom are a size larger than the other four.” I have found when I do that, I remember what I said and rarely have to review the video.
If I drop a screw, I’ll ask my wife, or somebody else, to sweep the floor so I don’t have to get up. This increases the chance of finding it. If they can’t find it, I’ll stand up slowly and brush off my clothes carefully. I have found lots of small parts that fell onto my pants.
If I end up throwing away an item that is held together by screws, I will remove a few and put them in an empty prescription bottle. Spare screws.
I’ve found other little tricks like this, but I can’t remember them all. I hope this helps your dad.