Try: #when the cr begins behavior that leads to wandering ask him or her to help you out by clipping coupons #gather coupons that arrive in the mail or appear in print publications #ask the cr to sit down at a table in a comfortable chair and help you cut coupons #give the cr the safety scissors #ask the cr to go through the papers and cut out coupons #depending on the cr’s ability ask him or her to write a major category heading on each envelope for example dairy fruits and vegetables frozen food snacks meat cleaning supplies etc #once the coupons are cut out ask the cr to sort them according to the categories on the envelopes and place them in the appropriate envelope if the cr makes mistakes in this task offer one or two reminders of what might go where but then let it go the main point of the activity is to distract the cr from wandering #thank the cr for helping you try holding the cr’s attention further after the activity is finished by offering a favorite snack

Materials: Table and chair coupon sheets from advertisements periodicals or internet safety scissors envelopes pen favorite snack

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Social, Mobility, Mobile, 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

Try: #tape a large scenic poster to the front of an inside door leading to a staircase basement or storage room you don’t want the cr to enter the poster may disguise the door’s function you can also take or locate a picture of books on a bookshelf and have it made into a door-sized poster #look for long over-sized posters at art dealers poster shops and online retailers have a large poster made at a custom photography or art service center local or online printers may offer the service #try using 8 x 8 pieces of cloth to cover locks and doorknobs of inside doors you don’t want used tape a piece of cloth above a lock or knob so it hangs down and covers it #finally use the pencil and ruler to trace an very visible 8-sided stop sign outline the word stop in pencil and leaving the letters white color the space around the letters red post the sign on the door you want the cr to avoid

Materials: Large colorful posters with garden or beach scenes picture of books on shelves to create a camouflage several 8 x 8 pieces of cloth homemade stop sign posterboard several red markers pencil ruler scissors tape

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, 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

Try: #distract the cr when restlessness and wandering are observed housework sorting and organizing may provide active diversions to wandering behavior #ask the cr to help you out by sweeping the floor folding the laundry or vacuuming the carpet #ask if the cr wants to play a game of cards or clip coupon #the task that distracts the cr does not necessarily need to be completed or done well to successfully divert the cr the game rules do not need to be followed and the coupons do not actually need to be used the vacuum does not even need to be plugged in

Materials: Broom and dustpan basket of unfolded laundry vacuum cleaner playing cards newspaper with coupons inside scissors

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

Try: #check to see if the cr is too warm undressing may be a sign of being overheated offer liquids check the cr’s temperature or help the cr into to cooler clothing #check to see if the cr’s clothing is too tight scratchy or otherwise uncomfortable help the cr into soft non-binding clothes made of breathable fabric if necessary #consider buying adaptive clothing such as jumpsuits that open up the back instead of the front adaptive clothing can be purchased from catalogs and on-line from companies specializing in clothing for seniors #if the undressing occurs on a somewhat predictable schedule provide a distracting activity such as an art project or snack at that time

Materials: Thermometer adaptive clothing

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Personal, 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

Try: #install the motion detector alarm near the door that allows a person to exit the home install the detector on the inside of the home so it will go off when someone tries to leave rather than enter the home #turn the alarm on at night #ideally when the cr attempts to leave the home the alarm will sound and let someone else in the house know the alarm will not prevent the cr from leaving however it may wake a caregiver so the cr can be found and redirected

Materials: Motion detector alarm tools to install the motion detector alarm

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Hearing, Good Hearing, 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: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #buy a small aquarium with a pump and supplies plan on having the aquarium in the house for at least a full day before the fish arrive as tank conditions must be prepared for the fish #place the aquarium in the cr’s room #fill the aquarium with water and let it sit for 24 hours #install the aquarium pump according to the directions and plug it into an electrical outlet #place the fish still in the bag on top of the aquarium water for one hour #open the bag after an hour and let the fish swim into the aquarium water #feed the fish according to the directions from the pet store #the low-intensity rhythmic sound of the aquarium pump may promote sounder sleep and reduce wandering at night #if caring for the fish becomes a problem but the aquarium sounds are soothing consider getting rid of the fish but keeping the tank clean and running

Materials: Small aquarium with pump buy at least a day before buying fish fish in a bag with water purchased at a pet store water fish food aquarium supplies and decorations as needed or desired

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #ask and check physically to see if the cr is uncomfortable for any reason the inappropriate words may be a way of attracting attention to a problem such as hunger needing to use the toilet being bound by clothing or being too hot or too cold #calmly ask the cr to stop using the offending words in your presence because they offend you let the cr know that the language is likely to offend other people and that using it may make it hard for him or her to get people to do what he wants #try not to react strongly because this may reinforce the behavior if the cr is cursing during times of extreme discomfort or only in private you may choose to accept or ignore the language #if the language is used in public you may wish to explain to those present that the cr cr’s behavior is part of an illness however there are also times when you may judge it appropriate for a cr to face the natural consequences of his or her behavior particularly if he or she is denying any problems #you do not have to apologize for the cr #if the language is extremely inapproriate tell the cr you are leaving and he or she must come with you remove the cr from the situation #try distracting the cr with another activity

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, 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

Try: Echolalia and echopraxia are formal names for repetitive behavior repeating the words and actions of others that go beyond the cr cr’s ability to plan or control in the moment keep in mind if the behavior becomes irritating that when these behaviors are echolalia and echopraxia and not just once-in-a-while coping strategies they are usually part of more serious physical or emotional conditions if you are providing or arranging care for a cr with these symptoms make sure the cr gets the care he or she needs from cgs who are not stressed out by the situation if you or other gcs find the behaviors difficult try shortening the amount of time each of you spends alone with the cr although you cannot predict which of your behaviors the cr will mimic during a period in which the cr is intensely imitating your actions you may want to have the cr assist you in a repetitive activity such as folding towels and napkins balling yarn etc if you must interrupt an imitative or repetitive action use a gentle touch and try to redirect the cr toward a new pleasant activity

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Independence, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor 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

Try: ##if the repetitive behavior poses no danger to the cr to you or to the environment just assure the cr cr’s safety and continue ##on other occasions you may want or need to divert the behavior when repetitive behavior begins offer the cr a useful activity that makes safe use of the repetitive drive ##ask the cr to roll yarn into balls fold hand towels or rags or use clean rags to rub items that need to be cleaned select hard-to-break items the cr can easily handle set up a work area at a table in your line of vision and ask the cr to rub the items clean moisten a rag and apply a non-toxic gentle cleanser to it if appropriate if not clean damp or dry rags should be fine

Materials: Hand towels skein of soft yarn soft rags items that need to be rubbed clean candlesticks serving trays durable knickknacks etc

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Poor Verbal Comm, 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

Try: #a cr may repeat questions of words to cope with memory loss or anxiety while the behavior may become irritating a response of anger or frustration by caregivers may increase the cr cr’s problem #reassure and comfort the cr using both words and touch speaking in a calm tone and giving a gentle touch may help if the behavior is being triggered by anxiety #when the cr repeats a question instead of reminding the cr that he or she is being repetitive try to redirect the cr to the question question’s answer #often the cr will repeat the same questions daily what day is it what time is it is my doctor doctor’s appointment today what is for dinner so set up a calendar or meal plan that addresses the common questions post it in a highly visible location when the cr asks the questions more than once direct him or her to look at the calendar or meal plan #make signs for the dining room table as needed to address anxiety about other things the cr is anticipating for example dinner is at 6 00pm or your daughter mary will be home at 5 30pm #buy calendars and blank calendar pages for menu plans at office supply stores #in addition look for patterns in the cr cr’s repetitive behavior do certain words or behaviors seem to be linked to certain needs or emotions for example does the cr behave or speak in a certain way when he or she is hungry or in pain what kind of stress worsens the behavior and what eases it #if the cr seems unable to get out of a repetitive cycle and you find yourself getting frustrated divert yourself and the cr to something a little different have snack take a brief walk or enjoy a different activity even briefly

Materials: Large calendar blank calendar page for menu plan stiff paper and marker for making signs clear tape snacks games activities

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Independence, Some Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, 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: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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