Care recipient (cr) with dementia has stopped cleaning dishes well and is at risk of illness as a result cr does not have a dishwasher

Try: #remove regular dishes and utensils from view #replace them with paper plates cups and bowls and plastic forks knives and spoons #stock the cr’s freezer with microwaveable frozen meals that can be eaten from their package or served on paper plates #once a week more or less depending on caregiver availability round up non-disposable […]

Intrusive thoughts are recurring disturbing mental pictures or ideas that intrude on daily activities requiring mental focus while they can happen once in a while to anyone they are a problem more frequently for people experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder ocd

Try: #the images and ideas suggested by intrusive thoughts can distract disturb or disgust the person having them a natural reaction to intrusive thoughts is to try to suppress or deny them; ironically this often makes them more persistent #when intrusive thoughts occur try simply accepting them stop trying to focus on anything else and […]

Care recipient (cr) appears unenthusiastic about physical therapy and delays preparing and participating in it

Try: #find out what physical activities the cr enjoyed anytime before needing physical therapy golf tennis baseball or softball if so ask the therapist if movements or equipment related to those activities can be incorporated into the physical therapy #discuss the cr’s lack of enthusiasm for therapy with the physical therapist particularly if you believe […]

Care recipient (cr) is lonely a former pet owner cr no longer has pet or ability to care for one at home

Try: #invite neighbors with well-behaved pets to visit regularly or arrange visits to the neighbors’ houses #consider volunteering at a local animal shelter they often need volunteers to do everything from walking dogs to petting cats from washing blankets to working on fundraisers #ask local agencies about therapy dogs or horses and see whether a […]

Care recipient (cr) has trouble having regular bowel movements

Try: #constipation can lead to bloating hardness of stomach area upset stomach and straining more painful serious consequences can occur so do not allow constipation to go unaddressed #prevent or address constipation by adding foods with fiber to the diet and making sure plenty of water is drunk throughout the day starting the morning with […]