Try: #check water temperature with a thermometer or wrist to make sure it is not too hot #do not soak the feet as this can lead to the callouses becoming soggy then cracking #dry the skin between each toe moisture may lead to skin breakdown or sores #do not cut toenails use the nail file […]
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Care recipient (cr) has difficulty putting a bra on and taking it off due to difficulty managing small closures and limited motion in the shoulders
Try: # cut the front of the brassier open # affix matched velcro strips to each side of the front opening ensure that velcro does not stick out beyond the bra material or it may irritate the cr cr’s skin # determine which setting on the back enclosure provides optimum fit with the velcro in […]
Care recipient (cr) has difficulty locating clothing in a closet due to poor lighting and declining vision
Try: Install an extra light in the closet make sure the cr is able to easily reach and operate the light you choose and that the fixture attaches firmly so it won’t work loose from its setting battery-operated lights can be found in hardware stores organize the closet so that the most frequently used items […]
Care recipient (cr) is grieving over the loss of a loved one and is sad and depressed
Try: Being present and listening is the greatest gift you can offer listen but do not offer advice or stories of your own allow a grieving cr to express sadness and anger be patient with a cr who repeats same stories over and over do not claim to understand what the cr is feeling do […]
Care recipient (cr) does not have much of an appetite
Try: If the cr isn’t eating much make sure that what gets eaten provides as much decent nutrition as possible serve snacks and foods chosen to meet the cr cr’s needs for specific nutrients calories etc generally snacks might include cheese and crackers cottage cheese yogurt pudding peanut butter on whole wheat bread a pizza […]
Care recipient (cr) is agitated or physically confrontational
Try: The caregiver should remain calm if the cr is getting agitated or has become physically confrontational the cr may be agitated in response to something that happened or is happening around him or her for example noise activity temperature encourage the cr to move away from what is causing the distress into a quiet […]
Stairs may be a problem area when vision is poor
Try: Upgrade to the maximum wattage bulb allowed for the existing lamps already present in stairwells be sure not to exceed wattage recommendations as this is a fire hazard ideally there should be a light switch at both the top and bottom of the stairs if not add a lamp if possible and install a […]
Anxiety about bathing is common with changes in physical or mental ability pre-planning can often help
Try: #rapport and trust are important to the comfort of a Care recipient (cr) make sure the feeling between a cr and caregiver is pleasant for at least a half hour before bath time an agitated caregiver adds to a cr’s anxiety #warm the bathroom and put everything needed for bathing close to hand #use […]
Care recipient (cr) leaving a long-time home on brief or long-term basis has stress related to finances home pets relationships etc
Try: #meet with the cr to make a list of broad areas of concern old house new home finances meals medication pets etc use the list to note concerns in each area and write one specific concern per index card #address each concern and write the solution on the related card so the cr or […]
During bathing Care recipient (cr) exhibits aggressive sexual behavior toward caregiver
Try: #use a beach towel and keep the cr covered while assisting with the bath uncovering only small areas of the body as you wash them #give the cr something to hold bath brush sponge rubber duck an empty shampoo bottle etc so that sexual advances toward the caregiver are more difficult to make #while […]