The Care recipient (cr) continually picks or pulls on articles of clothing

Try: #crs who have always been creative with their hands and engaged in activities such as sewing or knitting may still try to perform these activities #give the cr fabric balls of yarn or old clothing no longer worn to pick and pull on this will make the cr feel that activities enjoyed in the past are still being done and may have a calming effect

Materials: Fabric balls of yarn old clothing no longer worn

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

The caregiver recipient cr refuses to get dressed in the morning

Try: #sometimes a caregiver (cg) is under pressure to see a cr dressed in the morning for a doctor’s appointment or some other scheduled event if the cr refuses to get dressed it can be very frustrating and stressful give the cr an incentive to get dressed with a promise linked to getting dressed and ready #get out a special outfit that the cr enjoys wearing as an incentive to get dressed #let the cr know that once up and dressed a treat is waiting a favorite food at breakfast a stop at a favorite shop or restaurant on the way to or from the appointment or a visit with a favorite person or animal the incentive should be something the cr really enjoys doing #be sure to follow through on the promises you make the cr

Materials: A small incentive

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) often overreacts emotionally to caregivers with inappropriate behavior such as yelling or stomping feet

Try: #cut cardboard into a small stop sign-shaped piece on one side write the word stop as it would look on a stop sign on the other side write this s – stop slow down; t – think what is making me react this way ; o – what are my options to this challenge ; p – proceed with the most reasonable option #cover both sides of the stop sign with clear contact paper #you may want to make two stop signs so both you and the cr can look at them periodically as you work to improve your communication #when the cr is upset and overreacts put up your hand and say stop say this calmly and in a non-threatening manner #pull out the stop sign and discuss the letters s t o and p with the cr to help diffuse the situation #say stop let’s slow down for a moment can you tell me what’s upsetting you #ask the cr what do you think your options are the cr may need some help thinking of reasonable ways to express his or her needs #after discussing the options ask the cr which one seems like the best option to him or her do this in a non-judgmental way if the cr has trouble picking a best option recommend that he or she proceed with the most reasonable option this may require a brief discussion about what each of you thinks is most reasonable and you may find the two of you have different ideas about this #compliment the cr for making any good appropriate choice of behavior in a specific situation #if you are teaching this model of thinking things through you probably also need to practice it yourself make sure you are communicating reasonably with the cr and are open to reviewing your own style #be kind and gentle in your instruction and emphasize the goal as helping each other to make choices that let you speak to each other clearly and respectfully

Materials: Heavy paper cardboard scissors clear contact paper marker

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

caregiver (cg) is frustrated by care recipient’s cr’s behavior in stores cg wants to shop efficiently while cr wants to spend time window shopping or impulsively buying items that are beyond the planned budget

Try: n/a

Materials: #give the cr time to look at the items for sale in the stores without hurrying him or her along plan your shopping trip allotting time for this in advance #as you are shopping if the cr says i want this and the item is neither affordable nor practical distract or redirect the cr’s attention for example you might say let’s pick up the things on our list first and come back for this later or why don’t you keep this in mind but hold off picking it up until you’ve looked at things you might like more we can always come back for this #distract the cr by asking for help looking for the next item on your shopping list focus the cr’s attention on the products the two of you need to purchase

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Financial, Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) is constantly collecting hiding and hoarding items

Try: A cr may have survived extreme deprivation due to war disaster or economic hardship and formed behaviors of collecting hiding or hoarding linked to those experiences confusion depression obsessive compulsions untreated conditions and personal preference may also play a role a cr may fear that items that aren’t hidden will be taken by other people this fear may be legitimate if the cr is at the mercy of predatory caregivers or neighbors let the cr hoard if doing so doesn’t pose a threat to the safety of anyone in the environment you may want to limit the chance that valuables will be lost by providing plenty of safe neutral items to collect hide and hoard such as recycled mail magazines old photos handkerchiefs etc watch where the cr hides items and periodically sort through them to remove anything important valuable or likely to attract bugs if you know the cr is unable to recognize specific items you can remove some and place them where they can be found and hidden again don’t leave valuables or irreplaceable items in places where the cr is likely to come across them keys can be kept on hooks jewelry can be placed in lock boxes or armoires disguised behind mirrors and important papers and family photographs can be kept in locking fire- and waterproof storage boxes

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) with increasing confusion frequently takes pictures and small objects from their usual settings and moves them around the room sometimes fragile items are dropped

Try: #replace the glass in picture frames with plastic sheets or remove glass and leave the frames uncovered look for sheets of clear plastic in office supply stores #cover tables in the cr’s living quarters with tablecloths if doing so will decrease the chance of items breaking when the cr picks them up or sets them down on the tabletops #leave well-loved items within view and leave as many in reach as is reasonable if they belong to the cr and bring him or her pleasure the goal should be to preserve them for his or her pleasure or comfort #if you are concerned about losing original photographs make copies and replace the originals in the frames the cr is used to seeing them in that way if something does happen to spoil a picture you can replace it for the cr or family members #if you find it irritating that the cr moves items around consider relaxing your expectations regarding this behavior the cr may become very involved in fiddling with an object or with moving it from place to place within the home it is probably best to accept the behavior and try limiting it only when it poses a threat to the cr’s happiness for example if the cr tries bringing something whose colors may run into a steamy bathroom or if the cr tries to leave the house with something and risks losing it at those points discouraging the cr may be wise under lesser conditions you may want to simply accept the behavior as a symptom of the cr’s condition

Materials: Plastic picture frames tablecloths non-breakable knick knacks

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) wanders through the house at night while cr is sleeping

Try: #using the screwdriver attach the childproof locks to any drawers and cabinets and to the stove and oven controls to minimize the chance the cr will do something unsafe while others are sleeping #place the musical mat on the floor where the cr is likely to step on it when he or she exits the bed the sound of the music may help you hear when the cr gets up in the night the cr can increase the chance of hearing the music by placing a baby monitor on the cr cr’s nightstand #look for musical mats at toy stores or novelty shops they often feature music with holiday themes

Materials: Childproof drawers cabinets stove oven and locks musical mat batteries for the mat screwdriver baby monitor if helpful

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) who is often confused has trouble sleeping and wanders at night

Try: #fill the aquarium with water and let it sit for 24 hours install the aquarium pump according to the directions and plug into an electrical outlet place the fish still in its bag on top of the aquarium water for 1 hour #open the bag and let the fish swim into the aquarium water feed the fish according to the directions fiom the pet store place the aquarium in the cr cr’s room #the use of low-intensity continuous rhythmic sounds such as the aquarium pump may promote sounder sleep and reduce nighttime wandering

Materials: Small aquarium pump and aquarium supplies bright fish water in a bag purchased with the fish decorations for aquarium water fish food

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) with memory loss has brief but intense bouts of moodiness that include agitation anger and insistent behavior

Try: #offer a piece of candy when the cr becomes agitated angry and argumentative the candy may change the cr’s focus temporarily to the task of taking the wrapper off the candy #the moments of distraction provided by the candy may then help you redirect the cr to another activity or conversation #if the cr has particular health or dietary needs look for sugar-free versions of popular candy read candy labels to determine which are lowest in fat or carbohydrates

Materials: Cr’s favorite wrapped candy

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) has begun wandering from home in a confused state

Try: #encourage the cr to exercise regularly exercise may limit restless behavior #install locks with a key high or low on doors some crs only look at things set at eye level #make sure the locks can be easily opened by others for fire safety #make a large sign that says stop and post it on the door #install child-safe plastic doorknob covers #place a black doormat outside the door many caregivers find that crs with advanced confusion won’t step over black mats perceiving them not as mats but as holes in the floor #keep coat purse keys and others items the cr associates with going out away and out of sight #make sure the cr wears an id necklace or bracelet there are a number of companies specializing in id jewelry for people with conditions that lead to confusion or dementia #find black mats and locks at hardware stores and do-it-yourself stores find child-safe plastic doorknob covers where infant and toddler care supplies are sold #locate a local support group or an online group serving families involved with the condition affecting the cr to get informal evaluations about different products you can also search for companies that make them and contact them directly #tell neighbors and local police about the wandering behavior and make sure they have your phone number in case they see the cr alone outside #keep a current photo to show police or neighbors if the cr becomes lost

Materials: Locks requiring a key flat black rubber mats cardboard and marker for making a sign child-safe plastic doorknob covers id bracelet current photo of the cr

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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