Tips wanted for daily activities with weak or painful hands, wrists

Have profound hearing loss in one ear steroids no help loss of balance audiologist says wait a year before doing anything further is this good advice?

@william319
This link will take you to a discussion on hearing loss where you can meet others who have a situation like yours. Feel free to ask your questions there.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-options-after-steriods-are-ineffective/
Did the audiologist say that your hearing loss was definitely related to steroid use? How long were you on steroids?

I have bad arthritis in my hands and wrists as well as weakness. I put on thick gloves when I vacuum. I use platex gloves when I do dishes or empty the dishwasher. Instead of picking up 2 plates pick up one. Do you have someone to help you with
lifting heavy bowls and such? Lastly, just resting my hands helps a lot. I use CBD organic cream (800 mg $30) on my hands. It’s like a lotion with a lavender smell. I rotate with Volatran. It’s a struggle and I feel for you!

If you can get the show Classical Stretch on PBS the instructor includes exercises to strengthen wrists and hands. These have helped my wrists a lot. Another show on that station is Sit and Be Fit.

Have you tried going to occupational therapy?

Maybe I can offer another option? You said, "...Lastly, just resting my hands helps a lot..."
I too have very painful hands and wrists - bad arthritis, several surgeries and chronic pain. But... if I just sit and rest them, I get very frustrated - so much to do, so much I want to do, and really sitting makes everything else hurt more.
So I do this:
Manage my day - 2 hours of "heavy hand use" - gardening, moving & packing, ironing - usually broken into 20-30 minute blocks
2 hours of keyboard time at a properly positioned keyboard, in a proper chair
2 hours of medium hand use - cutting fabrics, doing cooking or dishes, laundry
2 hours of light use like hand sewing or assembling artwork.
20-30 minutes of hand stretches and exercises (part of my daily routine)

I use 2 kinds of compression gloves for various activities, one up to my knuckles & above the wrist, the other with full finger coverage & up forearm.
I add soft neoprene hand braces for some work, hard braces for heavy work.
Sometimes I use kinesiology tape for support & pain relief.
Often I wear work gloves over these to keep things clean. - I choose them to fit tightly to add additional support.

So how do my hands feel? They hurt - but if I am fully engaged, I can ignore the pain a lot. When my hands ache worst, I use Voltaren cream on them, or massages, or hot paraffin, or alternate hot & ice baths.

All this goes back to watching my arthritic Mom & Aunt, who taught me to "use it or lose it" and my Dad whose motto was "it is better to wear out than seize up" - which is exactly what happens to all my joints when I sit too much!

SO tonight, after gardening, packing and cleaning, my agenda is one more hour on the computer and two sets of stretches.
sue

@sueinmn Really great advice!!

Depending on your insurance I would ask to be sent for balance physical therapy. Medicare most likely will cover it.
I lost my hearing in my left ear due to an autoimmune disease. The training and exercises are a great help and decrease the fear of falling.

I take an arthritic strength training class to help my hands,shoulders, and other joints.
Lots of stretching of affected areas to help me.
Check you community fir these classes. Very affordable! Leaders must be certified by the Arthritis Association. Hope this helps! Pat

I've suffered for years with painful arthritis in my hands, keeps me from sleeping. All the creams, lotions, etc. that used to work stopped working.
Out of desperation, I decided there had to be something else to try. Have now had three acupuncture treatments. Got minor relief after the first treatment but the second treatment brought amazing relief. I am now sleeping at night. Amazing difference. I plan to complete the recommended four treatments.
I hope it works for others as well. One of my daughters is starting treatment next week after seeing how much it helped me.