Dear Heloise: The easiest way to clean a shower is with a squeegee. They come in different widths, and it only takes a minute to run the squeegee over the door when you’re finished showering. I also use them to wash windows, which makes this task a snap. — Mara T., in Alexandria, Louisiana

IDEAS FOR THE ELDERLY

Dear Heloise: Here are some things that I’ve learned from taking care of my disabled spouse:

— Attach tennis balls to the feet of walkers for easy gliding.

— If someone has vision problems, attach a small piece of contrasting tape to the top of one of their shoes and tell them which side of the shoe it always goes on so that they can put their shoes on correctly.

— As an alternative to traditional gift giving, maybe gifts of the following would really be appreciated: postage stamps, an assortment of greeting cards, a subscription to their local newspaper or favorite magazine, a shopping trip, or a basket of basic grocery items that they use regularly.

— Offer to take them shopping, do their shopping, and haul their groceries in for them. Offer to help them with lawn mowing, snow removal in the winter, leaf raking, or just plain ol’ chores that they can no longer do themselves.

— Check on your elderly/disabled loved one by calling or, better yet, visiting them (even if it’s just for a short time). — A Reader, via email

Reader, these are some wonderful ideas. Thank you for writing in! — Heloise

DIFFICULT OPENING BOTTLES

Dear Heloise: I have recently been diagnosed with glaucoma and was prescribed an eye-drop medication to be used nightly. The medication comes in the tiniest container, and it’s extremely and frustratingly difficult to open up a new bottle each month. There’s a plastic covering that needs to be torn off to access the top. (I use cuticle scissors.)

Then comes the challenge of twisting off the tightly affixed top. It’s too small for me to use my usual gripper, so I usually need my strong husband to open the container. I suspect that most people who are prescribed these eye drops are of an age that they might also have hand arthritis, which would add to the difficulty. What do people do when they live alone?

I wonder if anyone else with glaucoma has this problem. Is there a trick to getting this medication open safely? Thanks for any hints! I read your helpful column in the online edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. (I appreciate the fact that I can expand the size of the print on my laptop.) — Dottie, in Cleveland

Dottie, when you’re at the pharmacy, explain your difficulty of opening up the tiny container and ask the pharmacist if they’ll open the bottle while you wait. I’ve had to do this in the past, and the pharmacist was very helpful. After all, the medication is useless if you can’t open the container! — 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.