Try: You can make a card and place it near cr lunch is at 12 30 write down something that acts as a cue some assisted living communities place a sign by the mail area that says the mail will arrive at 3 p m if cr cr’s making repetitive phone calls consider putting a note in large type by the telephone do not call joyce will call you at 1 p m

Materials: Index cards or sticky notes and pen

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com what what’s the best way to respond when my parent with memory problems keeps repeating himself by forum contributor 2012

Keywords: Repeats repetition annoying questions memory loss

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

Try: Start by asking in a friendly nonaccusatory way why not that will give you insights into how you can help fear of falling down water too hot or cold make sure the bathing process is comfortable in a warm safety-proofed bathroom that includes a shower chair and grip rails provide as much modesty and privacy as possible it may be time to switch from showers to baths or from baths to sponge-bathing allow cr to remain partially clothed or robed if that that’s more comfortable allow cr as much control over the process as possible; take care not to baby as much as is reasonable let cr choose how to bathe

Materials: Shower chair grip rails

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Bathe shower bathroom personal care challenging behavior

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

Try: Ask yourself what the real problem is — the clothes or your sensibility if cr agrees to wash favored outfits regularly the same outfit over and over is simply an aesthetic choice that may conflict with your ideas if the clothes are filthy that that’s another issue when cr bathes immediately put the clothes in the washer and start it if cr prefers certain items make them available in multiples and cull the closet of everything else no harm done keep in mind that wearing the same clothes repeatedly is a common behavior the result of memory loss and impaired decision-making skills

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Change clothes dressing challenging behavior defiant decision-making

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

Try: And develop open communication in addition the following are ways to get the conversation started materials try share an article or magazine story with them about the topic ask permission to talk about the topic with them solicit support from siblings before the meeting ask ‘were you involved in handling your parents affairs how did you do it if the cr does not cooperate you might be forced to do some detective work keep a close eye on the checkbook look for warning signs watch for physical injury such as bruises or limping track how much medicine is being taken and how often prescriptions are being re-filled one other option is to have the cr’s doctor bring up the issue

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication

Information: n/a

References: Agingcare com

Keywords: Talking speaking

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

Try: To manage the hoarding materials try be kind and gentle don’t use harsh language or tone of voice and try to be patient remember the cr is not doing any of this on purpose but is only reacting to the decreased functionality of the brain when appropriate you can try to reason and even talk about items to throw out and give away with help from the family if the cr is still at a stage in the disease where he or she can make that connection through reasoning they may be able to give up much of what they have collected provide interesting activities the cr may need more intensive interesting and distracting activities to help curb the hoarding habit such as organizing a drawer helping you label old photographs etc the time you spend with the cr will also create good memories for you which will help sustain you as you make the journey together memory box technique one technique that has proven successful is creating a memory box a special place to keep special things pick out and decorate the box together and put it in the same place all the time if the cr likes to collect bread ties for instance they can keep them in the box and you’ll be able to monitor the box as those bread ties accumulate important items such as eyeglasses wallets etc can be labeled and put in the box for safekeeping and as place to know where things are secure your valuables lock away anything of value to you such as money or jewelry secure certain rooms of the house to keep the cr out find hiding places find your favorite hiding places which might include drawers underneath cushions and beds pockets or closets check those hiding places periodically check the trash before throwing it out talk to your doctor check with their doctor if you believe the behavior is extreme medications such as anti-psychotics and anti-depressants may curb the need to save and keep everything around them although it it’s hard at times screaming and yelling will not help with hoarding behavior it takes patience creative thinking and reasoning when applicable

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging

Information: n/a

References: Agingcare com

Keywords: Hoarding

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

Try: Offer to take out the trash and offer to do some cleaning for the cr you can also offer to pay for someone to come in a cr will generally turn you down but you may be able to make some headway once he realizes you are genuinely there to help ask permission before throwing out anything hoarders have an overdeveloped since of ownership and can become excessively attached to seemingly worthless things such as junk mail or decades-old catalogs if you are to make a difference you must not breach the cr’s trust and remove items without permission work gently towards the goal of cleaning up most hoarders are aware that there is a problem with their lifestyle but are so overwhelmed they do not know where to begin work in small doses and ease them into parting with certain items call social services if you are far away or cannot get to the cr cr’s home as often as you’d like and report the cr as a vulnerable adult many states will not help an individual who can still drive or fix his own meals however you can ask for an interview to be held to assess the cr’s needs be prepared to accept that the hoarder may not take any help at all if she won’t and the state will not intervene then be prepared to come to terms with her living conditions and allow her to live the life she has chosen

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: Ehow com

Keywords: Compulsion hoarding

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

Try: Try distracting cr with a fun or interesting activity below are a few suggestions play what’s in the bag get a bag and fill it with different items such as cotton balls sandpaper leaves newspaper felt q-tips golf ball socks clothespins etc then ask cr to feel what what’s in the bag and tell you what the items are ask cr to put items on a string for example get cheerios fruit loops popcorn or honey combs cereal and some string and let cr string up a chain to put outside for the birds this activity is fun because cr can eat some while he she is making the chains

Materials: Cotton balls sandpaper leaves newspaper felt q-tips sock clothespin cheerios fruit loops popcorn or honey combs cereal string or thread

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www theactivitydirectorsoffice comactivity ideas that work by gina salazar no date

Keywords: Rumages rummaging distracted bored wandering wanders activities

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

Try: Try giving cr an activity to preoccupy him her below are some suggestions try giving cr items to sort such as buttons different sizes and colors poker chips balls bottle caps forks spoons rocks etc watch cr to make sure he she doesn’t eat items try giving cr some books or magazines and ask him her to look for a specific item examples birds ladies babies cats dogs food cars etc then ask cr to cut the items out and make his her own book try giving cr some clay or play dough and ask him her to make something this is also a good exercise for cr’s hands

Materials: Buttons different sizes and colors poker chips balls bottle caps forks spoons rocks scissors bound notebook tape or glue clay or play dough

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www theactivitydirectorsoffice com activity ideas that work by gina salazar no date

Keywords: Rummages rummaging distracted bored wandering wanders

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

Try: Keeping the cr on a regular schedule it can be difficult for someone who is older or ill to adjust to changes such as less rest and a more hectic schedule not feeling guilty for picking and choosing which holiday gatherings you and the cr can attend making sure cr and you get regular exercise unfortunately it it’s typical for people to stop doing the healthy things they usually do because of holiday activities like shopping cleaning and cooking not overeating at every meal save your indulging for special meals being careful about the amount of alcohol you drink getting plenty of sleep staying on your medications recalling that the real joy of the holiday is with being with loved ones

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Social

Information: n/a

References: Agingcare com

Keywords: Holidays managing holidays

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

Try: Thinking about what you and the cr need not what others expect of you being realistic accepting help if others offer and asking for help when you need it it makes other people feel good to help those they care about prioritizing holiday tasks decide which decorations are most important and compromise cook and prepare food early changing the time of dinner from evening to afternoon many crs get tired and may get more out of an earlier meal making lists it often helps to see what you are accomplishing one item at a time and it makes you feel good to cross completed jobs off your list

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Caregiver Needs&Support

Information: n/a

References: Agingcare com

Keywords: Holidays managing caregiving

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