Try: The steps to developing non-drug treatment strategies include identifying the symptoms understanding the cause adapting the environment to remedy the situation strategies to try simplify the environment tasks and routines noise glare insecure space too much background distraction including television check for pain hunger thirst constipation full bladder fatigue infections and skin irritations comfortable room temperature be sensitive to fears and frustrations with expressing what he she wants allow adequate rest between stimulating events use labels or cues to remind the cr increase the safety of the environment by equipping doors and gates with locks and removing guns and other weapons reduce risk of fires by installing extra smoke alarms and controlling access to the stove use lighting to reduce confusion and restlessness at night try this if the cr becomes agitated use calm positive statements such as may i help you you’re safe here i will stay until you feel better do not raise your voice become defensive argue condescending make sudden moves outside the view of the older adult this can create fear and panic

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s

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

Try: Determining the quality of the services agencies that refer programs to you may not have first-hand knowledge of its quality home care and day care providers should be bonded adult day care programs are generally licensed but the quality of care is a little more difficult to determine ask program directors questions such as training of the people who will be caring for the older adult and if the state certifies the level of care ask about the other types of crs at the facility programs that include people with dementia head trauma or other disabilities are more common since specialized programs are more expensive to offer in most cases it is the skill of the staff of respite programs that is more important the diagnosis of the individual consider the staff the staff usually consists of a social worker an activity director and an activity aide who often is a certified nursing aide cna the needs of your cr should dictate the type of staff desired paying for care fee for services such as day care or home care vary widely medicare and medicaid generally only cover certain expenses in limited circumstances adult day care can be expensive depending on the level of services be sure to compare prices and once you select a facility make sure to get an agreement in writing to avoid confusion planning in advance with the staff once you’ve selected a facility be sure the provider understands the nature of the crs illness situation and how to handle problem behavior be sure the provider knows how to contact you and other emergency

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: Such as physician information for more information consider the national adult day services association nadsa

References: n/a

Keywords: Adult day care caregiving help

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

Try: These tips for ideas with caregiving for care recipients cr with dementia materials try try to establish an environment that allows as much freedom as possible but also offers the structure that the cr may need establish a routine for meals medication exercise bedtime and any other activities do tasks at the same time every day the cr will know what to expect and when change the routine only when it ceases to work keep the environment simple and clutter free remember to talk to the cr speak calmly and gently make a point of telling him her what you are doing and why let the cr take part in any the decision making if possible avoid talking about the cr in front of him her remind others not to do this as well have an id necklace or bracelet made for the cr include details of the nature of the disease e g ‘memory impaired’ and your telephone number this is one of the most important things you can do since people with dementia often wander away or get lost keep the cr active but not upset while the relationship of activity to the course of the disease is unclear some activity does help to maintain physical well-being and may help to prevent other illnesses and infections being active helps the cr to continue to feel that he she is involved in the family and that life has meaning at the same time too much stimulation activity or pressure to learn may upset the cr and you and thus accomplish nothing

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Dementia caregiving

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

Try: Respond calmly to the cr’s responses to ensure a productive discussion and defuse negative emotions about the topic do not postpone the conversation because of fear or guilt be prepared to have several conversations before driving stops remember that it’s more important to avoid accidents or death than to avoid unpleasant topics conversation starter could include i’m glad that you’ve cut down on night driving i would never want you to drive when you’re not comfortable or feel that it it’s too risky have you asked your doctor about the effects of your new medication on your driving have you asked your doctor about the effects of your new medication on your driving that was a close call yesterday i worry about your safety on the road i’m worried about your getting lost even if you were not at fault in a collision you could be seriously injured or die i know you would feel terrible if someone was hurt when you were driving i’m afraid to let the grandchildren ride with you let let’s talk with your doctor about this

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from mit agelab and aarp 2009 is it time to talk to dad about his driving available at

Keywords: Communication unsafe driving talking about not driving difficult conversations

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

Try: Make an anonymous report to the department of motor vehicles or recruit the family physician to write a prescription to stop driving take away the car keys sell or disable the car ask the local police to explain the importance of safe driving and the legal consequences of unsafe driving help the cr locate transportation alternatives such as family friends buses cabs or senior transportation services

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from monika white doug russell joanna saisan and gina kemp 2009 senior driving safety tips warning signs and knowing when to stop available at helpguide com

Keywords: Communication stop driving driving driving safety unsafe to drive

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

Try: Check with local catering business if possible to have some meals of left over over’s when available dropped at cr cr’s home usually low cost and good fresh food check with local high school or college culinary arts class that may love having foods prepared in class that are for senior for low cost

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Medical Physical, Social, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Smelling, So-So Smelling, Poor Smelling, Taste, So-So Taste, Poor Taste

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from tonia boterf 2011 35 adaptations and accommodations for aging parents ezinearticles com

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Try to put yourself in the cr’s shoes the cr has given up most of the independence and control that he or she once enjoyed taking decisions out of the cr’s hands will sometimes be the final blow so this should be handled with sensitivity and diplomacy if the cg is an adult child of the cr and there are other siblings involved the decision making process should be a joint family effort a meeting should be arranged with all family members including the cr the decisions that need to be addressed now and also those that may come up in the future need to be written down on a list and put into categories such as are financial activities of daily living medical physical driving home maintenance housing long term care end-of-life as so on if there are several siblings involved one individual needs to assume the role of the primary caregiver and spokesperson for the cr this individual should coordinate everything related to the cr with the support and help of the whole family it is not fair for one individual to do all the care giving however it makes sense for one person to oversee and coordinate everything therefore the primary caregiver should delegate tasks decisions etc to other family members who can be relied on to get the job done always let the cr have input on any outsourcing of decision making for example if an attorney or financial planner will be needed get the cr’s input on who is chosen at no time should the cr be made to feel that he or she is incompetent to handle decisions this will only lead to frustration and depression although the cr may not be able to take full control of the decision making process you should look for ways to get the cr involved and part of the process decision making should be taken over gradually first offer to help the cr make the decision or discuss it offer to help in an advisory capacity then the transition can go more smoothly if you need to assume full responsibility for decision in the future if the cr insists on making poor and unsafe decisions you may need to get a professional to intervene for example in the case of possibly giving up driving privileges a physician may need to advise that it is no longer safe for the cr to drive or in the case of bad money management a banker may need to explain the benefits of direct deposit and automatic bill paying services

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Decisive indecisive undecided choice decidedness conclusion determination resolution settlement agreement understanding accommodation adjustment arrangement compromise reconciliation preference selection determination

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

Try: Try to deal with the stress before it turns into depression anxiety or anger identify the specific time or incidents that bring on the most stress is it just the isolation of care giving the day-to-day sameness of the routines or the demands of either the job or the Care recipient (cr) find a stress buddy who you can talk to whenever the stress is about to overwhelm you and talk it out sometimes just verbalizing your frustrations and getting them out into the open will be the outlet you need to look at things in a different perspective if you don’t feel comfortable talking with someone write down your feelings and frustrations in a journal each evening writing them down will allow you to assign them somewhere else and free your mind to relax schedule time in your day for you and stick to it even if it is just a few minutes several times a day the you time will provide something to look forward to and allow you to enjoy an activity or exercise that has nothing to do with care giving if possible schedule regular respite times away from the cr and leave your guilt worry and responsibilities behind for a much needed rest this will refresh your mind and actually increase your effectiveness as a cg

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Make a list of tasks needed think about the type of person needed skills personality write a short job description that includes things like health care training reliable transportation ability to operate special equipment lift the cr experience with cr’s condition s invite the Care recipient (cr) to sit in on the interviews and ask questions ask a trusted friend or family member to sit in on the interviews to get other opinions on the best person to hire interview people over the phone first before meeting with them in person ask about experience with the cr’s medical or other conditions ask how long they have worked as a cg state tasks needing done and ask if they are willing and able to do these tasks state the hours and days of the week care services are needed and the wages they will be paid ask for 2 work

Materials: Pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support

Information: In their community events announcements develop a power point slide show about the group and ask the local cable channel to air it on the public access channel ask a local medical professional who knows a lot about cg issues to be the guest speaker at the first meeting to make the first meeting a big one information

References: And 1 personal reference check all references during in person interview watch how applicants interact with the cr do they seem warm and friendly ask cr for opinion on who he she thought would be the best fit ask friend family member for opinion on best person hire the person who is most qualified for the job information references a adapted from hiring in-home help by the family caregiver alliance

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Ask other cgs if they go to any groups check local chapters of disease-specific organizations such as the alzheimer alzheimer’s association or the multiple sclerosis society contact the american self-help clearinghouse ask local religious service agencies contact the local area agency on aging talk to the social service department of the local or area hospital contact the well spouse foundation 800-838-0879 to get a list of available support groups contact the children of aging parents – national self-help clearing house 212-354-8525 to get a current list of support groups for cgs

Materials: Pen and paper phone internet

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

Information: n/a

References: A adapted from caregiver support groups your caregiver support options from seniormag com

Keywords: n/a

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