Try: Eat less processed foods try more fresh foods much of the salt we eat comes from canned or processed foods like soups or packaged eating fresh foods takes more preparation but it is much better for the cr’s health cook with healthier spices there are a vast number of alternatives to salt try fresh herbs like basil thyme or chives use reduced salt items choose condiments and packaged foods carefully looking for foods labeled sodium free low sodium or unsalted the best alternative is to use no salt or fresh foods but that is not always possible

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Diet cooking reduced salt

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

Try: Limit solid fat reduce the amount of solid fats like butter margarine or shortening when cooking or serving eat leaner proteins use healthier alternatives change high-fat foods for lower-fat options when cooking use liquid oils like canola olive safflower or sunflower and substitute two egg whites for one whole egg in a recipe read labels closely read food labels before buying or cooking many snacks even those claiming to reduced fat may be made with oils containing trans fats look closely for hidden fats change the cr’s habits the best way to avoid saturated or trans fats is to change your eating habits instead of chips snack on fruit or vegetables cook healthier recipes and eat healthy portions

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Diet food healthy eating

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

Try: To control cooking for the cr when you prepare and cook meals at home you have better control over the nutritional content of the cr’s foods the following are tips for healthy food preparation materials try create a collection of recipes stock up on heart-healthy cookbooks and recipes for cooking ideas look cookbooks or the internet for ideas get in input from the cr many cr’s will like certain types of healthy food start with the cr’s suggestions use healthier cooking methods just as important as healthy ingredients is how you cook those foods into healthy meals bake or broil instead of deep fry cook in advance if needed when you’re cooking healthful meals make extra food for another meal this can save time and money it also allows for more healthy meals

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Diet food healthy cooking

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

Try: Wash hands thoroughly after contact with animals keep the pet clean and healthy this includes routine care and vaccinations remember some pets will need medication supervise people if necessary while they are interacting with the pet prevent children from kissing the pet or putting their hands in the pet’s mouth promptly clean up after pets this includes not only messes but also pet hair

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Pet clean pet care

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

Try: Make an appointment during tcr tcr’s best time of day and when the office is not very crowded let the office staff know before the visit about cr cr’s behavior problems ask them for help to make the visit go smoothly don’t tell cr about the visit until the day of the visit or even right before it is time to go if visiting the doctor makes cr nervous be positive and matter of fact take something cr likes to eat or drink and any materials or activities cr enjoys have a friend or family member go with the care giver cg so that one person can stay with cr while the other speaks with the doctor take a brief summary listing cr cr’s medical history primary care doctor and current medications

Materials: Snack or beverage cr likes book or other activity cr enjoys brief medical history of cr

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Doctor visits visiting the doctor odd behavior challenging behavior

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

Try: Take a list of medicines insurance cards the health care provider provider’s name and phone number and advance directives advance directives are signed documents such as a living will that spell out a patient patient’s wishes for end-of-life care ask a friend or family member to go with the care giver cg or meet cg in the er he or she can stay with cr while someone else answer questions be ready to explain the symptoms and events leading up to the er visit this

Materials: List of medicines insurance cards health care provider provider’s name and phone number advance directives

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: May have to be repeated more than once to different staff members tell er staff that cr has cognitive problems explain how best to talk with cr if cr must stay overnight in the hospital try to have a friend or family member stay with him her

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Emergency room er odd behavior challenging behavior

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

Try: Alzheimer’s can cause substantial changes in how the cr acts this includes embarrassing actions such as inappropriate outbursts to hallucinations paranoia and violent behavior also as a caregiver you’ll need to be increasingly watchful for the cr’s safety everyday tasks like eating bathing and dressing can become major challenges painful as some behaviors are it’s critical not to blame yourself or try to handle all the changes in behavior alone it is also important to prepare for the cr’s progression to a worse off state as challenging behavior progresses you may find yourself too embarrassed to go out for example or to seek respite care unfortunately difficult behavior is part and parcel of alzheimer’s disease don’t isolate yourself from others seek help from the physician friends and family for help

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s dementia behavior

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

Try: Don’t use a glass thermometer use a digital thermometer which can be purchased at a grocery or drugstore

Materials: Digital thermometer

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Glass thermometer taking temperature fever flu

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

Try: Reframe problems try to view stressful situations with the cr from a more positive perspective focus on the caregiving task and reframe difficult issues look at the big picture take perspective of the stressful situation many minor problems with the cr will look insignificant down the road think about the overall caregiving situation adjust your standards perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection set standards for your caregiving and keep reasonable expectations focus on the positive when stress is getting you down take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life think about the positives and try to keep everything in perspective

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Caregiver Needs&Support, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Stress stress management

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

Try: Don’t try to control the uncontrollable many things in life are beyond our control, particularly the behavior of the cr focus on the things you can control involving the cr look for the upside when facing major challenges try to look at them as opportunities for growth learn from the situation and correct mistakes share your feelings talk to a trusted friend or make an appointment with a therapist if possible speaking about the situation can help reduce stress learn to forgive accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes let go of anger and resentments towards the cr do not focus on the negatives

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Caregiver Needs&Support, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Stress management stress

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