Try: #if a Care recipient (cr) wants to do mechanical things but can no longer safely work with most machines cars or tools try designing a workstation that includes some of the tools and functions the cr previously enjoyed design the station with an eye for safe and interesting features #ask the cr to repair […]
admin
Laughter is always good medicine look for amusing entertainment that matches a care recipient’s cr’s needs as his or her condition changes
Try: #offer the cr the comics pages or read the humor columns out loud #offer the cr amusing and entertaining television programs #if dementia interferes with a cr’s ability to follow a current program look for vintage shows the cr has been familiar with for decades the cr may easily find the humor in these […]
A Care recipient (cr) who no longer drives may need help from family friends and community resources to keep appointments and commitments outside the home
Try: #call senior service agencies in the community or the county to find out what kind of transportation help is available to seniors #call family members and close friends who may be able to make commitments to helping the Care recipient (cr) get to and from a regular appointment #use a monthly calendar to note […]
Care recipients crs with dementia can develop paranoia resulting in frequent false accusations and reports of people stealing
Try: #buy a report book at an office supply store or general merchandise store #when the cr has begun making a number of accusations that appear to be false and that you or other caregivers are finding draining begin responding by listening and initiating the writing of a report explain that you need the details […]
At some stages of dementia it may be hard to name or describe various objects
Try: Print out clip art pictures of commonly used household objects and paste them in a grid on blank pages of paper include pictures of items commonly found in each room of a house including furnishings clothes tools bathroom fixtures etc organize the pictures by subject household area in which they are found or in […]
At some stages of dementia a Care recipient (cr) may not be able to manage diabetes and a caregiver may need to provide management
Try: #learn to use a glucometer from a nurse in the cr’s primary care doctor or endocrinologist’s office ask for a range of numbers within which the cr cr’s blood sugar levels are recommended to stay #test blood sugar levels before breakfast lunch dinner and bedtime or as directed by the doctor specializing in diabetic […]
A Care recipient (cr) with dementia calls for a deceased mother or family member
Try: #don’t argue with the cr’s reality once you realize the cr is stuck in a past time period #tell the cr you understand the desire to see mother and acknowledge you can tell the cr misses her #try to discover the underlying feeling the cr has that may be adding to a longing for […]
A Care recipient (cr) with a recent fracture forgets to keep weight off the affected leg
Try: Sew the velcro into the inside of the sock where it will be directly under the sole of the foot that is not supposed to bear weight the hooks should face toward where the foot will be in when the sock is worn put the sock on and check to see that the velcro […]
Changes due to dementia or vision loss can affect how stairs are seen
Try: Paint the vertical part of the stair a contrasting color you can also do this with a contrasting carpet color this will help the care recipient see each stair instead of a wall you could also use colored tape but be sure it’s a color that provides high contrast to the stairs and make […]
At some stages of dementia care recipients crs who are restless and who fidget may need activities that provide distraction and channel those behaviors safely
Try: #purchase small boxes jewelry cases and a deck of cards at discount stores or resale shops buy textured balls through physical therapy catalogs or online and locate fabrics with wild textures at fabric stores #put the dresser in an area the cr frequents for example if the cr spends a lot of time in […]