Try: If a Care recipient (cr) with poor balance doesn’t use a walker or cane correctly or often try these seek more training from the doctor physical therapist or medical supply agent in walking with a walker or cane remind the cr to use the cane or walker even in the house a cr may […]
admin
A cr with dementia often tries to leave the house alone
Try: Make up several different bags with items of interest to the cr items could include a deck of cards a small flashlight a comb or brush a small stress ball a plastic slinky hand-puzzles small picture books etc the type and variety of items will depend on what the cr enjoys look for items […]
Special exercises may help maintain or improve balance
Try: Try the following exercises to keep or improve balance in the beginning do them while holding onto the chair with both hands and with help if necessary exercise one stand directly behind the chair feet slightly apart lift one leg 6 out to the side hold this position for 10 seconds repeat with the […]
Weakness or limited stamina may lead to discomfort doing laundry as usual
Try: #use a rolling cart to move laundry basket and hangers around the house #keep a chair near the laundry machines and sit to sort clothes or put clothes in the machines #fold laundry while seated at a table or on a bed consider folding laundry close to where items will be stored #move some […]
Inability to make a tight fist can affect how brushing teeth and combing hair are managed
Try: Fit foam tubing around the handles of toothbrushes and hairbrushes to widen them look for tubing at craft stores and hardware stores attach strips of velcro to the tubing and make a cuff for the palm to slip through when holding the handle use glue to secure the velcro to the tubing making sure […]
Pacing may interfere with the ability to sit down for a meal
Try: #first see if pacing is linked to the pain or the need to use the toilet #a check-up by the care recipient’s cr’s doctor can look for health issues that cause pacing #offer the cr finger foods they can be held and eaten while walking #keep serving sizes small as the cr may lose […]
Poor nutrition can lead to constipation eating high-fiber foods while drinking an accompanying cup of water can improve bowel movements and decrease the risk of diabetes and cancer
Try: Use the calorie counter to plan meals that include at least the minimum number of recommended grams of fiber per day if possible get the fiber from food not supplements the fiber content is high in avocados raspberries figs blueberries and bananas check the calorie counter book for other high-fiber foods write a monthly […]
Conversational skills may lessen with some medical conditions
Try: If a Care recipient (cr) has trouble starting or keeping up a conversation use the newspaper as a conversation starter sit with the cr at a table or in comfortable chairs and share the newspaper if it’s helpful read interesting articles out loud stop and ask the cr’s opinion about specific news items skim […]
Loss of coordination may lead to trouble eating and drinking with regular plates cups and cutlery
Try: Serve each course by itself so Care recipient (cr) isn’t overwhelmed by the whole meal at once use the divided dinner plate to portion out reasonable amounts of food the cr can use the side of utensils to push food against the dividers moving food onto the utensils respect the dignity of the cr […]
Loss of people or familiar surroundings can be complicated by the inability to be present for or have control over the situation
Try: #don’t make assumptions about how the Care recipient (cr) should feel about a spouse or family member who has died #with the cr’s permission put up pictures of loved ones who are missed #keep at least a few much-loved items from a home being left to take to a new home #encourage family members […]