Try: Let cr know how much help he or she could be by folding baby and children’s clothes ask cr to sit at a table or wherever he or she is comfortable place the laundry basket or other container next to cr place several pieces of clothing small socks and blankets in the basket and ask cr to fold them crs may especially like to touch the children’s or baby clothes press them with his or her hands and fold them neatly encourage cr to talk about his or her own fond memories of babies and children touching the clothing may help trigger memories

Materials: Small laundry basket or other container baby clothing and or small children’s clothing

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Antsy jumpy nervous reminiscing

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Use the cr’ detailed history to develop a care plan take the following steps to protect yourself keep a cell phone handy remove potentially dangerous items from the area do not to get cornered by the cr use distractions before the cr becomes agitated watch for the following signs and others that the cr’s agitation may be building pacing can’t sit still threatening words loud voice use the 4 column journal to document the cr’s behavior what occurred just before and at the time of the behavior identify what triggers the cr’s anger try to eliminate or minimize the people situations things and so on that trigger the cr’s anger approach the cr from the front so that he or she can see you smile tell the cr who you are and what you plan to do be calm reassuring kind and respectful don’t argue corner force demand tease hurry or confront the cr if possible allow the cr to set routine for getting up in the morning bedtime meals and personal care allow cr choices regarding clothes food what to watch on television bathing or showering sitting or walking being inside or outside and so on encourage and praise the cr for his or her attempts at personal care activities and so on encourage the cr to express feelings

Materials: Post emergency phone numbers including near-by caregivers for backup 24 hours a day and seven days a week cell phone with the emergency numbers programmed in detailed history of the cr’s past family work likes dislikes activities controlling demanding behaviors and what provoked relaxed the cr pen and 4-column journal

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Agitated upset acting out

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Become familiar with the cr’s history and plan care accordingly identify yourself each time you interact with the cr approach cr from the front provide calm reassurance in a nonthreatening manner speak slowly in a face-to-fact position focus on one task at a time provide simple clear instructions to the cr break tasks into small steps tell the cr only one step at a time introduce visitors by name and relationship include the cr in conversations avoid over stimulation from simultaneous activites voices television and noise introduce new situations gradually and use many repetitions protect yourself keep a cell phone handy and don’t get concerned use distractions before the cr gets agitated don’t argue corner force demand tease hurry laugh at or confront the cr

Materials: Detailed history of the cr’s past family work activities likes and dislikes history should include what has provoked and relaxed the cr in the past objects that are familiar to the cr a quiet safe simple structured and uncluttered environment an environment that is fess of objects that might disturb the cr for example mirrors cell phone with emergency numbers post emergency numbers including near-by caregivers for 24-hour backup

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Punching striking fighting

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Talk to cr and find out what kind of activities he or she likes to do to stay busy for example give cr one of the following a load of laundry to wash dry and fold a beach ball to hit in the air with you and others a small puzzle with large pieces dominoes to line up in a row or stack also talk to cr’s family and friends to find out cr’s past hobbies and interests make sure that the activity can be done safely by cr one you find the objects and activities that help keep cr still make them available to him or her on an ongoing basis for example put them in cr’s room living room or table so they can be used whenever cr feels fidgety

Materials: Anything that cr can use to stay busy for example a coffee table book with many interesting and colorful pictures

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Restless fidgety can’t sit still

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Talk to the cr to see if he or she feels that basic needs are being met find out if there are times during the day when the cr is still hungry explain and show where to get snacks if the cr gets hungry during times when meals are not being served direct the cr to a specific drawer or cupboard in the kitchen or sealed tupperware container that you monitor keep this location stocked with appropriate unexpired foods for the cr’s dietary and medical needs providing a variety of choices and special items throughout the year will make this more exciting and interesting for the cr bring snacks to the cr periodically throughout the day or remind the cr to visit the snack drawer so that he or she does not get over-hungry properly clean kitchen and dining areas and store food so it is not accessible to the cr consider using locks on cupboard doors and the refrigerator if needed regularly check known hiding spots and remove expired or unsafe food items reassure the cr that you will continue to provide food and the other things that are needed be patient with the cr and understand that it may take some time before you are trusted and he or she feels safe and secure that needs will be met

Materials: Healthy snacks in sealed dated packages for example granola bars crackers nuts cereal individual servings of milk juice or sports drinks locking devices for cupboard doors or refrigerators optional

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Hiding food snacking sneaking food

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try not to take the criticism personally the cr’s behavior may be related to a sense of loss of independence find ways that the cr can perform and assist with daily tasks this will give him or her a sense of control and purpose be willing to compromise take care of yourself find alternate caregivers so that you can have some time away from the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Critical criticism complaining

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: The cr may simply require regular exercise and attention provide safe areas for the cr to walk accompany the cr on walks and make this a regular activity if the cr enjoys it the cr may be looking for purposeful activity talk to friends and family to find out what kind of work the cr performed during productive adult years it may be possible to mimic this and give the cr a job to do that keep busy and provide him or her with a sense of usefulness and accomplishment for example try giving the cr a stack of mail several sheets of paper to fold ask the cr to stuff the mail into envelopes place several small baskets around the cr’s place of residence direct the cr to deliver the mail to the baskets

Materials: Paper small baskets

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Somewhat Aware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Elopement pacing fidgety

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Offer the cr lots of reassurance to help offset the cr’ fear and insecurity try to find busywork for the cr to engage in for example folding towels and dusting any activity that can distract the cr from the shadowing behavior is helpful give the cr a timer when you will be away from him or her assure the cr that you will be back before the timer goes off be sure that you return to the cr before the time promised

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Social, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Clinging copycat insecure afraid

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Use the cr’ detailed history to develop a care plan identify and eliminate what triggers the aggressive behaviors use the cd and dvd players to provide calming music therapy eliminate a loud and over stimulating environment simultaneous visitors television large crowds and so on approach the cr from the front smile tell the cr who you are and what you and the cr plan to do be calm reassuring kind and respectful assess the cr for comfort pain illness medication reactions and side effects use distractions before the cr gets agitated don’t’ argue corner force demand tease hurry laugh at or confront the cr establish a consistent daily schedule for rising resting bedtime meals activities and personal care offer toileting rest fluids and activity every two to three hours allow the cr choices regarding clothes food what to watch on television bathing or showering sitting or walking being inside or outside and so on don’t argue corner force demand tease hurry or confront the cr encourage and praise the cr for his or her attempts are personal care activities and so on

Materials: Post emergency phone numbers including near-by caregivers for backup 24 hours a day and seven days a week cell phone with the emergency numbers programmed in detailed history of the cr’s past family work likes dislikes activities controlling demanding behaviors and what provoked relaxed the cr cd player cds with calming instrumental music television and dvd player dvds with relaxing music and calming images such as scenery cascading waters nature beaches or aquariums

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Agitated upset acting out

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Set the mood so that the experience is relaxing and less scary for the cr use a large towels or sheets to cover up any mirrors in the bathroom mirrors are often scary for cr’s with memory loss use tape or thumbtacks to hold the towels and sheets up if needed place scented oil warmers or candles in the bathroom lavender mint and eucalyptus are soothing scents that you may want to try never leave the cr unattended if there are candles or open flames present play soft music that the cr enjoys during the bath allow the cr to take as much time as needed to bathe let the cr help with the bath if able don’t rush or be rough with the cr during the bath use warm water and washcloths to gently bathe the cr adding a scalp massage with washing the hair or a back massage with bathing may help the cr relax if the cr is still agitated you may want to consider whether the full bath is really worth all of the effort the cr will not die from not having a bath every day it may be best to just spot clean underarms and private areas and save the full bath or shower for later larger anti-bacterial disposable wipes are a good option for spot cleaning between baths

Materials: Radio or music player towel and sheet tape and thumbtacks scented oil warmers and candles warm water washcloths

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Personal, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Acting out at bath time angry upset irritated irritable

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed