Try: Schedule time each day to make sure the cr is being mentally stimulated to help increase brain function choose several of the following each week word games trivia and puzzles watch a game show such as jeopardy or wheel of fortune spend time with animals animals generally have a great effect on the elderly plan a weekly field trip to the park to feed the ducks to a zoo to get icecream etc

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Activities brain function

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

Try: Put a sign on the bathroom door that says women only for female cr or men only for male cr

Materials: Paper black marker tape

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website www ec-online net eldercare skill builders by staff writer 1998

Keywords: Poor memory bathroom toileting

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

Try: Try creating a door mural use a piece of special wallpaper that looks like anything but a door — a set of shelves for example try painting the door the same color as the walls around it so cr doesn’t notice the door try hanging a large cloth mural over the door so that door looks like something else

Materials: Wallpaper paint large cloth mural

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: eldercare skill builders 1998 available at

Keywords: Wanders wandering disobeys difficult behavior agitated

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

Try: It it’s important for the cr to be able to easily call his or her friends family and or caregiver at all times especially when he or she needs help help the cr program emergency numbers into the phone and make several lists to place by each phone the cr may also need a smaller cell or portable phone to carry with him or her at all times in case of a fall or other emergency discuss the caller id feature and encourage the cr not to answer if he or she does not recognize the number allow the answering machine to screen the call first also discuss scams and telemarketers

Materials: Programmable phone with large numbers and caller id smaller cell or portable phone phone number list

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Social, So-So Vision, So-So Hearing

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Telephone phone calls elderly scams emergency

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

Try: Give the cr some cues like the first letter of the word he is trying to say give the cr a word that rhymes with the word he is trying to say give the cr a category clue using a word that is a category for the word he is trying to say

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm

Information: n/a

References: word retrieval strategies 2006 available at

Keywords: Tip of the tongue speech talking forgets word recall memory

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

Try: If the cr can write keep a pad and pen nearby to write down what he or she needs if cr can’t write use a ringbound pad of index cards and to write down the cr’s usual needs and wants such as bathroom hungry sleepy tv remote and pain show the index card to the cr to find out what he or she needs encourage the cr to speak slowly be patient

Materials: Note pad and pen ringbound index cards

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Communication speech hard to understand

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

Try: Look for a cell phone with a large keypad if cr is hard of hearing pick a phone that has the speaker phone capability look for a cell phone with a large screen choose a cell phone that has the flip open design the cr can answer or hang up the phone by merely flipping the cover open or close the flip open design also prevents accidental dialing do some internet research to find senior friendly cell phones

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Medical Physical, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: n/a

References: how to buy cell phones for seniors available at

Keywords: Cell phones accessibility hearing vision communication

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

Try: Make sure the environment is not cluttered path to the bathroom is well lit and adequate footwear to avoid falls if the cr is non-ambulatory commodes raised toilet seats with grab bars bed pans and other home health products are available disposable bed pads also known as chucks or rubberized flannel sheets will help protect the bedding a draw sheet can also be used this is a regular sheet folded in half lengthwise and tucked in across the bed it can hold the disposable bed pad in place between it if the cr has an accident in bed then the chuck and draw sheet will only need to be changed versus the entire bedding bathroom aids such as raised toilet seat with grab bars padded toiled seats chair style commode bell to call for help and light to help light the way or intercom system wall-mounted grab bars make sure that the toilet seats etc securely fastened washable chair covers or place chair cushions in large garbage bags to protect furniture check the living area for soiled clothes the cr may hide soiled clothing in a closet under the bed or in a dresser drawer to hid incontinence be sure to have a thorough physical examination by a physician to identify evaluate and treat urinary incontinence

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Incontinence

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

Try: Learning how to play a new instrument can help improve memory function at any age discuss the possibilities with the Care recipient (cr) to discover if learning an instrument is something he or she would be interested in if an instrument is not readily available rent one from a music store the piano is a great instrument to begin lessons if one is not available call a local church to request permission to use the piano throughout the week borrow beginning sheet music from the library or use an instructional video if possible

Materials: Musical instrument of choice beginner sheet music instructional video

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Memory music music therapy forgetfulness remembering

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

Try: First see if the cr’s living situation allows animals nursing homes or assisted living facilities are likely not going to allow pets even if the cr lives at home the house must be suitable for the pet also the cr must want to have a pet discuss the possibility with the cr see if he is open to a pet during this conversation also gauge what type of animal the cr may want assess the cr’s ability to care for the animal when helping the cr select a pet if the cr is unable to interact with a larger animal pick a smaller lower maintenance animal if the cr cannot handle a pet suggest a family member or close friend bring a pet to allow the cr to interact with the animal

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Pets therapy interaction

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