Try: For sweet cravings have medications checked some antidepressant medications cause a craving for sweets try nutritious milk shakes or egg nogs reward the cr with sweats occasionally so they can look forward to treats for overeating or insatiable hunger try 5 to 6 small meals per day have a tray of low-calorie snacks available such as apples or carrots consider whether activities such as walks or other exercise might distract the older adult put food up away from the cr if necessary particularly if the person is overweight or on a special diet for under eating try a glass of juice wine or sherry if medications permit alcohol use before the meal to wet the appetite offer ice cream milk shakes or egg nogs make sure the cr is getting enough exercise to stimulate appetite try to prepare familiar foods in familiar ways especially foods that were favorites consult doctor about the possibility of physical illness or depression try feeding all or more of one food before moving on to the next some people become confused when the tastes and textures change rapidly sit directly in front of the person if peripheral vision isn’t good show each spoonful to help orient older adult mix puddings or ice cream with other courses to sweeten if this encourages person to eat allow the cr to eat whenever he her is hungry

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Eating

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

Try: Some of the following strategies to help the cr materials try have a good dental check-up of gums teeth and dentures sometimes children’s dentists especially those who specialize in working with children with disabilities are good at working with agitated individuals ask whether your dentist or hygienist will make housecalls have vision or glasses checked have a good medical work-up to discover any possible physical causes or medication problems contributing to appetite change have an evaluation for depression done if appetite loss becomes a problem try soft relaxing music during meal provide appetizing odors of fresh food cooking in nursing homes reduce other odors such as cleaning fluids or urine in dining area improve lighting in eating area but avoid glares reduce noise and distractions in dining area during meals make sure meals are offered at regular consistent times everyday try to make mealtimes simple relaxed and calm be sure to allow enough time for the meal feeding a very impaired person can take 45 minutes to an hour be sure the person is in a comfortable upright position for eating in later stages it may be necessary to use a wheelchair geriatric chair or cardiac chair with special supports and or restraints

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Eating

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

Try: It is sometimes helpful to keep a log or diary to help determine possible causes of repetitive actions remind yourself that crs with dementia do not have the ability to remember because of changes in the brain to you a question story or comment is repetition to the other person it is new

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical

Information: Caregivers often have trouble believing that the person is not purposely repeating questions in order to annoy them this is rarely if ever the case more likely crs are trying unsuccessfully to feel a sense of control over their lives sometimes crs have lost the ability to know how to get attention and may be using questions as an attention getting device if this is so giving them full attention and responding to their emotional needs may sometimes break the cycle of repetition for a while occasionally when people ask the same questions over and over crs are trying to express a feeling such as a fear that they will be abandoned or not fed sometimes responding to the emotion if you can guess what it is correctly rather than to the specific question will help calm some of their anxieties repetitive motions and questions can be one of the most upsetting behaviors for caregivers sometimes you need to be able to walk away and take care of yourself take a bath take a walk do relaxation exercises etc sometimes when a word is repeated over and over it may have a special meaning to the cr family members or close friends may be able to interpret the words or identify a person place or event which the person with dementia is trying to talk about information

References: Mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: For chewing problems try light pressure on lips or under chin to get started give verbal instructions i e ‘chew now and now swallow ‘ demonstrate chewing make sure the cr is in a comfortable position avoid sticky foods such as bananas peanut butter white bread avoid foods that fall apart or have tough skins such as nuts moisten foods with sauces gravy water some medications cause dry mouth served chopped soft foods offer small bites one at a time for swallowing problems remind to swallow with each bite stroke the throat gently check mouth periodically for food stored in cheek omit foods that are hard to chew and swallow such as popcorn nuts raw vegetables offer small bites one at a time allow plenty of time between each bite keep liquids at room temperature moisten foods for choking problems with liquids try thicker liquids such as apricot juice or milk shakes make cooked cereal with milk or water to help hydration keep liquids at room temperature notify your doctor of this problem for choking problems with solid foods try soft cooked foods such as scrambled eggs canned fruit cottage cheese frozen yogurt jello made with orange juice and fruits chopped chicken mashed potatoes applesauce notify your doctor of this problem

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Eating

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

Try: Make eating simple use bowls and cups that are larger than the portion of food use bowls rather than plates set place with only utensils that are needed use bowls or plates that are different in color from the placemat to help the person easily locate the place use brightly colored placemats place a damp washcloth under the plate to keep it from sliding don’t use plastic utensils they are too light to manipulate easily and may break in the person’s mouth try bendable straws or cups with lids and spouts for liquids use mugs for soups or stews be sure to get mugs with big enough handles for easy holding use assistive devices such as large handled silverware plates with suction cups on bottom plates with rims or buy white plastic tubing which may be cut and fit on utensils found through medical supply stores serve ‘finger foods’ such as french fries cheese small sandwiches chicken or pork kebobs fried chicken fresh fruits or vegetables even very impaired crs often manage finger foods well try yawning or asking the person to say ‘ah’ if he she won’t open mouth put a bite of food to lips as stimulus to open mouth

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Eating

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

Try: Remember that growing old can be challenging approach the cr with empathy understanding respect and patience if the cr is combative keep your distance and seek outside help if necessary your next challenge will be to provide a healthy diversion to redirect the cr’s attention away from the negative thoughts or situation talk to family and friends to find out what the cr’s interests are the diversion could be reading books listening to music watching movies hobbies games sports and so on the key is to provide a diversion that the cr is really passionate about for example if the cr was in a rock and roll band in the 1950’s provide recorded music from that era you could even bring in some musical instruments if the cr is still wants to play it doesn’t really matter how good he or she is playing the instrument the important thing is for the cr to be engaged in something positive rather than negative there may be underlying conditions that are causing the agitation try to determine what these conditions are and develop a game plan to deal with them for example there may physical ailments that are the main cause of the irritability you may need to seek the help of doctors and health care professionals to deal with these issues the cr may have trouble dealing with the fast pace of society and find this very frustrating if this is the case you may want to provide a stable and calm environment that isn’t as hectic remember that there are no hard and fast rules in dealing with a cranky cr you will need to adapt as circumstances change be creative and flexible if one approach does not work try something else until you find something that works well

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the senior journal internet website www seniorjournal com how to deal with a cranky senior

Keywords: Complaining griping cranky grouchiness agitation

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

Try: Plan a daily routine and keep the cr engaged in his or her favorite activities be patient when the cr repeats words or actions when the cr begins to repeat a discussion or action redirect him or her to another activity

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Disturb repeat repetitive upsetting embarrassing unfitting unseemly behavior

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

Try: Plan a daily routine and keep the cr engaged in his or her favorite activities be patient when the cr repeats words or actions when the cr begins to repeat a discussion or action redirect him or her to another activity

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Disturb repeat repetitive upsetting embarrassing unfitting unseemly behavior

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

Try: Take a time out to calm down and collect you thoughts think before you speak remain calm and avoid a show of emotions communicate a cooperative attitude rather than a confrontational one agree on a definition of what you are arguing about this is harder to do and more important than it sounds oftentimes two individuals engage in an argument without ever clearly identifying what the disagreement is about you could be arguing over any number of things what exactly is it facts you definitely need to have the facts straight before you can proceed issues and opinions problems that you or the cg are facing decisions that you or the cg need to make or have made involving the cr in your problem solving and decision making process may help prevent arguments from even developing in the first place let the cr communicate his or her side of the argument first be considerate of his or her feelings listen actively show genuine interest in what the cr is saying and do not interrupt after the cr is done communicate you side of the argument to the cr make sure you communicate effectively even if you don’t agree with each other look for common ground focus on what unites you rather than divides you do not insist that it is your way or the highway be willing to compromise accept the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree you can still get along with the cr and have a good relationship despite your differences

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Argue argumentative disagree dispute hassle quarrel

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

Try: Suggest that the cr share his or her opinion without getting upset discuss a recent example of when the cr was upset with someone role play how the cr could have reacted differently explain to the cr that continued arguing may hinder his or her relationship with family and others

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Argue argumentative disagree dispute hassle quarrel

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