Trouble doing laundry. Anyone else struggling with simple daily tasks?

@kssunflower, brain fog can make even the simplest tasks a challenge. I can visibly see in my mom's face when she is experiencing brain fog. The simplest things like matching socks or setting the table become near impossible. She gets so frustrated. Luckily she and I both know it will pass and that she's not losing her mind. It helps her that I often recognize her brain fog before she does and that I validate it.

The hard part is to know how to help. Usually we set the task aside for later. It doesn't seem to make sense to push through if it is something that can wait. It's hard waiting for these moments to pass because even resting doesn't necessarily help. At least I know that my understanding and patience helps. I wish I could do more.

Kssunflower, what do you do when you struggle with a simple task? Do the people around you understand?

Thank you for sharing from your own experience. I tend to put difficult things off, but like you said resting doesn't necessarily make the brain fog disappear, so then the task only becomes harder because more clothes will have gathered.

My husband is understanding. My mom is too. Sometimes if they help me get started with a project, I'm more likely to get things done. It's so frustrating to not be more independently productive. I imagine your mom greatly appreciates your patience and understanding.

I hear ya, my laundry issues are more physical. Big pulling arm movements and bending up and down for the dryer cause increased shortness of breath. The only answer I have is Slllloooooowwwwww, slow everything down. The cognitive part of matching socks is actually a great brain exercise my occupational therapist would approve of. She also told me to sit while folding clothes. OR, I don't fold sheets and towel, I just put them back on the bed. I use hangars rather than folding for t-shirts. Also, as I am not able to be as intensely physical as I was, my clothes are just not as soiled. It is ok to wear t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans for several days to decrease laundry.
Puzzles are helpful 'exercise' for the brain. Get a puzzle you can leave on a table and return to, or do them on line. Word Cookies, Crossword, Flow Free, Block Puzzle, visuospatial games, sudoku, games for seniors are great for following patterns, shapes, colors. It is like weight lifting for your brain.

Amen - laundry is one of the toughest things for me. I save it for a day when I don't have anything else going. Just the lifting, reaching, putting away, etc brings on shortness of breath. I don't hesitate to ask my husband for help - I'm fortunate. He's almost always willing and has been a saint through all this stuff!! Husbands, wives, children, family and any helpers are the unspoken heros!! I'm an avid reader and love to write but hate games like you mentioned. I have to try again.

Yes in the beginning. I experienced PoTS like symptoms. Pace yourself and go slow be sure to eat and stay hydrated and ask for help. Try to break it up into small loads at a time. Don’t feel bad. It’s just a thing. It will get better ask for help. And talk about your symptoms with loved ones. You’ll need support getting better. Hugs

great ideas! our 37 yr old daughter has probably done 50 jigsaw puzzles since her covid pneumonia in january '22. she's weaned herself off 02, does the laundry, drives the 9 & 5 yr old to school, but I definitely notice the brain fog on the phone (we live 2000 miles away). sometimes we talk about it other times we listen to each other in silence. we had facetimed 24/7 while in hospital. not sure how she'll be at her hygienist job, with plans to return mid march.

I found what works for me is to have as much structure as possible- I make myself stick to the same sequence of tasks (get up, take meds, wash face,etc), make breakfast (same order of tasks), do PT exercises, look at daily schedule paper, kept in same place on the kitchen table. I use blank computer paper to put 3-4 Day headings and then list underneath each heading what needs to be done that day (appointments, laundry, go to the bank,etc) with small boxes next to each list item, which I check off once they’re done. As needed, I also write small signs and tape them up where I can’t help but see them- “change clothes to dryer”, “Leave at x:00 for appt.”. I felt pretty silly at first, exasperated at myself, but it has made for HUGE stress reduction and time efficiency, as I work through things, instead of finding myself wondering, “What do I need to do?”. I’m a retired Occupational Therapist and I used to teach these methods to people with brain fog, how ironic that I’m now needing them😊

My husband&I had covid in Jan '20.
Fatigue lingering still. I really struggle cooking, which I've always loved & been good at. Rarely needed written recipes. Often now I still can't taste so seasonings are out of balance, but finally some smelling has returned. I have brain fog that affects my memory for ingredients and cooking details. I've lost confidence big time.

17+ months long COVID…
The worst part for me with the brain fog (only one of my many persistent symptoms), is that in the moment I think I’m doing [the task] well and then later find I missed steps in the process. IE: Toasting air because I forgot to actually put the bread into the toaster before turning it on; forgetting to process a customer’s payment - to the tune of $3000+ - before shipping out product. Sometimes discovering the error a year later and then having to go through legal channels to collect… things like that. Very frustrating for someone with OCD tendencies and a stickler for details! I feel I’m letting people down, including myself.

I have never been unreliable, or so indecisive. I'm the energizer bunny. NOT NOW. Thank you for sharing your frustration ....it does help!