Try: #if a cr’s anger is new and outbursts are occurring in a way that was previously not usual seek medical help for the cr if the cr resists seek medical advice about the symptoms #if a cr’s behavior poses an immediate threat to others move yourself and others to a safe distance and call emergency services if you need to contact police or other emergency services let them know the cr’s behavior may be related to dementia let them know there are weapons in the house what kind and where they are in relation to the cr and whether the cr has access to them if they are locked up take the keys to them with you when you move back #in a time of non-crisis make a safety plan or care plan with family members or a very trusted friend the plan should include a response to the difficulties you think are most likely to arise as part of that plan a family member providing care for instance a spouse or adult child would be wise to seek advice about obtaining power of attorney for various aspects of the cr’s’ life about getting a useful psychosocial evaluation from a geriatric psychiatrist in consultation with a geriatric primary care doctor and about crisis intervention services in the area many communities have domestic abuse and suicide prevention hotlines with enhanced services for people who need more than phone counseling having a relationship in advance with the counseling staff of a crisis team may also be helpful #safety may be increased by moving ammunition and firearms further apart or hiding them within the home additionally it may be a good idea to remove firearms and ammunition from the home along with hunting knives or other weapons however the cr’s level of awareness and sense of ownership of the items as well as the caregiver’s relationship to the cr may lead to legal or logistical questions that should be addressed

Materials: Family plan medical and legal advice knowledge of emergency resources

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Legal, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #limit hiding places by locking drawers cabinets and rooms that are not used often #always check trash cans hampers and clothes baskets before emptying them #limit the amount of money if any that the cr has #lock up valuables #keep spare sets of items such as glasses and keys the cr is likely to hide #search for missing items periodically to learn the cr’s favorite hiding places if you have spare sets of things it may be a good idea to make note of the cr’s hiding places without dismantling them that way you will know where to look when something you only have one of disappears

Materials: Small locking box for valuables

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Maximum 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

Try: #keep a soft attractive pillow doll or fabric toy close to the bed or near to where transfers in and out of the wheelchair take place #let the cr know in advance when you need him or her to turn in bed or transfer to a different seat or place so he or she can prepare #after letting the cr know what to expect give him or her the soft object to hold if the cr’s hands are full of one thing they are less likely to reach for another #after you have finished the activity that triggers the cr’s grabbing step back and ask for the object explaining that you want to put it in it’s special place however you may wish to leave it with the cr if it is safe to do so and the cr is attached to it

Materials: Medium-sized soft object pillow stuffed animal small folded blanket

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, 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: Reassure the cr that you will not abandon him or her reduce noise clutter and unnecessary activity to create a calm atmosphere distract the cr with an activity such as looking at magazines or photo albums listening to music or helping with a simple task provide a substitute for affection such as a cat or dog make a recording of yourself speaking or reading aloud that the cr can listen to when you are not around

Materials: Pet music photo albums and magazines voice recorder

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Social

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #put loud bells or wind chimes on door knobs or above doors leading to the outdoors basement or attic make sure the bells or chimes are loud enough to be heard throughout the house #hide or disguise doors to attics basements or storage areas with large posters medical or caregiving catalogs carry door-sized posters that look like bookcases home decorating and some art stores carry posters that cover walls with scenes from movies or nature make sure the door being disguised latches or hooks firmly as if it is not recognized as a door someone leaning on it could be endangered #don’t try to disguise or hide doors that would be used in an emergency such as front or back exits from the home on the ground floor

Materials: Loud bells or wind chimes large poster or posters

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: #recognize and respect that the cr is attached to the hoarded possessions and that they have meaning to him or her the cr’s fear of separating from items is real #avoid being harshly judgmental about the cr’s living conditions hoarding behavior is not simple work to ensure immediate safety by eliminating or reducing fire and safety hazards #point out immediate safety problems and explain calmly the consequences of not addressing them #ask the cr to think about some solutions offer the cr a range of possible solutions #solutions may include clearing a rescue passage throughout the house moving unstructured piles of paper or clutter into large clear covered storage tubs gaining permission to identify trash and remove it cleaning the oven of grease and removing clutter from in and around it creating clear clean workspaces in the kitchen making sure flammable solvents are disposed of properly etc #make sure smoke detectors are present and working if they are battery-operated keep replacement batteries on hand #go slowly and expect only gradual change the cr may need counseling and support try working regularly on safety organization or de-cluttering even if the cr can only tolerate short periods of focus on the tasks

Materials: Smoke detectors and extra batteries clear storage containers

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, 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

Try: caregiver (cg) should narrate each aspect of the daily routine that is coming up and give step-by-step directions on performing each task the narration should be as simple as i’m going over to the closet now and getting your clothes for the day this will give the cr time to anticipate the next move and could ease fears and frustration cg should keep the tone of their voice soft and monotone so that not only the knowledge of the next step but the soothing quality of the cg’s voice will have a calming effect give cr time to adjust to each step before proceeding to the next one pause between steps cg can also try playing a sing along cd while performing a daily routine that is frustrating for the cr just singing along will distract the cr and speed up the daily routines

Materials: Patience phone service local senior service agencies peer support for the cr

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #when a cr is on the go and won’t stop to sit and eat throw the components of a nutritional meal into a blender and make a shake the cr can carry and sip #tailor the shake to the cr’s taste as well as to his or her medical and nutritional needs some things to consider putting into the shake include fruit bananas berries kiwis creamy peanut butter pudding mix sugar-free or regular ice cream or frozen yogurt yogurt sugar-free or regular juice syrup cola add slowly a few drops of extracts or flavorings ice #serve the shake in a sports cup with a lid and straw and keep the amount small enough that the cr can easily carry it check periodically to see if the cr is in fact drinking the shake

Materials: Nutritional shake sport cup straw blender

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #don’t try to physically restrain a cr who wanders as this often leads to injury and behavioral problems if a cr has begun a new behavior of pacing or wandering discuss these with the cr’s doctor medication or a dosage adjustment may be helpful #provide a safe route through which the cr can wander or pace remove all clutter and obstacles from the route set aside a safe place for repetitive activities like exercising folding small towels putting the lids on plastic containers working with large puzzles etc #the impulse to pace is sometimes also felt by crs who use wheelchairs or scooters protect walls doors or outcropping wall corners with clear acrylic liners designed for this purpose they are sold at some do-it-yourself hardware stores although they may need to be specially ordered you may also look for them in independent living supply catalogs #consider installing alarms on doors and gates so you will know when the cr is leaving the safe area or the home put cardboard versions of stop signs on doors you don’t want the cr opening #put baby gates at the top or bottom of stairs you don’t want the cr going up or down them alone and put a gate across any room you don’t want the cr in that doesn’t have a door but might be easily gated such as a kitchen

Materials: Safe indoor area safe indoor route paper or cardboard stop signs door alarms baby gates activities puzzles exercise machines small towels to fold etc consultation with doctor wall door or corner protectors

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, 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: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #if the cr’s yelling and screaming are new behaviors encourage the cr to see a doctor as these may be symptoms of any number of medical conditions if the cr is seeing a doctor make sure these symptoms are reported to the doctor the symptoms may be very treatable #when an episode of yelling occurs respond by speaking in a firm voice at a lower volume than the cr possibly the cr will stop yelling to hear what you are saying if not call a halt to your involvement in the episode by saying stop we will take a break and continue what we’re doing when you stop yelling at me if it is safe to leave the cr step away from the cr for a few minutes if it’s not safe to leave because you are bathing the cr or giving wound care for example finish what you are doing get the cr into a safe situation and then step away for a few minutes #while some cr’s verbal aggression is life long some only gain the behavior as a result of infection dementia psychosis or brain injury there is no point in blaming the cr for the behavior set safe appropriate boundaries that take the cr’s condition into account #take care of yourself by knowing your limits and seeking professional and personal support for yourself and the cr

Materials: Firm voice support

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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