Try: Exercise physical activity has powerful mood-boosting effects in fact research suggests it may be just as effective as antidepressants in relieving depression the best part is that the benefits come without side effects simple exercises often help the cr in many ways connect with others getting the support the cr needs plays a big role in helping with the condition by himself it can be difficult to maintain perspective and sustain the effort required to beat depression by connecting to others the cr can help fight depression bring your life into balance if the cr feels overwhelmed by stress and the pressures of daily life it may be time to try relaxation skills or steps to reduce stress get enough sleep sleep deprivation can make the symptoms of depression worse aim for somewhere between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night maintain a healthy diet avoid eating too much sugar and junk food choose healthy foods that provide nourishment and energy and take a daily multivitamin volunteer helping others is one of the best ways to feel better and expand your social network take care of a pet if appropriate let the cr have a pet or interact with one learn a new skill have the cr try something he has always wanted to learn note if the cr shows any of these symptoms consult a physician

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Depression self help

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

Try: Invite the cr out suggest activities to do together that the cr used to enjoy walks an art class a trip to the museum or the movies, anything that provides mental or physical stimulation schedule regular social activities group outings visits from friends and family members or trips to the local senior or community center can help combat isolation and loneliness plan and prepare healthy meals a poor diet can make depression worse so make sure the cr is eating right with plenty of fruit vegetables whole grains and some protein at every meal encourage the cr to follow through with treatment depression usually recurs when treatment is stopped too soon so help the cr keep up with his treatment plan make sure all medications are taken as instructed remind the cr to obey doctor doctor’s orders watch for suicide warning signs seek immediate professional help if you suspect that the cr is thinking about suicide note if the cr shows any of these symptoms consult a physician

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Depression

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

Try: The following are tips for recognizing some signs of depression in a cr sadness fatigue abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes social withdrawal and isolation reluctance to be with friends engage in activities or leave home weight loss or loss of appetite sleep disturbances difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep oversleeping or daytime sleepiness loss of self-worth worries about being a burden feelings of worthlessness self-loathing increased use of alcohol or other drugs fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Depression sadness loss of interest

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

Try: Focus on the things you’re grateful for the older the cr becomes the more he will lose but as he ages life becomes even more precious when individuals stop taking things for granted then can appreciate things more easily don’t hold back feelings acknowledge and express them the cr may have a hard time showing strong emotions perhaps feeling that such a display is inappropriate and weak but burying feelings can lead to anger resentment and depression find healthy ways to deal with feelings accept the things you can’t change many things in life are beyond our control rather than stressing out over them focus on the things one can control such as the way you choose to react to problems focus on the positives when facing major challenges try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth if poor choices contributed to a stressful situation reflect on them and learn from mistakes take daily action to deal with life’s challenges when challenges seem too big to handle sweeping them under the carpet often appears easier but ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away; it allows both the problem and your anxiety to build take on the problems one small action at a time

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Aging change

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

Try: Try variations on what you know for some people it might be games other people may enjoy puzzles still others may enjoy trying out new cooking recipes find something that the cr enjoys and continue to try new variations and challenges work something new in each day the cr doesn’t have to work elaborate crosswords or puzzles to keep your memory sharp try to work in something new each day whether it is taking a different route to the grocery store or eating with a different hand take on a completely new subject taking on a new subject is a great way to continue to learn there are many inexpensive classes at community centers or community colleges that allow the cr to tackle new subjects if the cr cannot take classes check out a book from the library volunteering is also a great way to learn about a new area taking classes and volunteering is a great way to boost social connections which is another brain strengthener

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Mental health mental activities

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

Try: Involve cr in spiritual activities that he she has known well these might include worship religious or other readings sacred music prayer and holiday rituals

Materials: Religious or spiritual readings of cr’s faith spiritual music

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Social, Spiritual, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Religion religious church faith spiritual faith community prayer pray

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

Try: Help cr choose his her meal if needed suggest food cr likes read parts of the menu or show cr a picture of the food limit the number of choices given to cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Restaurant dining out menu choices can’t decide what to order trouble making decisions

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

Try: Access the cr’s ability to perform these essential activities in her living environment maintaining continence eating getting in and out of bed using the toilet bathing regularly dressing knowing the cr’s ability to perform these functions will help determine the home’s necessary adaptations

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home modifications remain at home

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

Try: Access the cr’s ability to perform these basic activities in her living environment moving around the house using the telephone preparing meals cleaning doing laundry taking medications managing finances knowing the cr’s ability to perform these functions will help determine the home’s necessary adaptations these are not exclusive but important functions that a semi-independent cr must be able to perform

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Independence

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home modifications stay at home

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

Try: Before adapting the home for the cr consider these risk factors in the cr poor vision problems with depth perception hearing problems decrease in sensitivity to heat pain pressure physical weakness cognitive impairment if the cr has problems with some of these issues home adaption may not be appropriate incontinence if the cr has issues with any of these problems home modification may not be appropriate

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Independence

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home modification remain in home

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