As we need exercise for our body we need exercise for our mind brain also mental exercises including internet surfing can prevent or delay atrophy of the brain the internet can be used to reduce isolation and maintain contact with the outside world

Try: Discuss the internet with the cr and gauge if he has used it in the past and his comfort level if the cr is somewhat interested highlight the potential uses of the internet use the internet to read news or magazine stories communicate with friends and family members or look at old family pictures sent through email listen to the cr’s favorite music from the past if the cr wants to use the internet have them watch you while you open a browser and visit a few websites have the cr try to navigate a few websites remain patient as new uses may be uncomfortable with navigation

Materials: Computer internet

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Computer internet mental health

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

The Care recipient (cr) doesn’t scoop the litter box enough

Try: Use an automatic self-cleaning litter box; less smell healthier

Materials: Automatic self-cleaning litter box

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Smelling, So-So Smelling, Poor Smelling, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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

The Care recipient (cr) sometimes forgets to eat food before it spoils

Try: Encourage the cr to do the following label the groceries with the date that they were purhased when you are unloading them check the date on each item before it is used to make sure it is not out of date or has spoiled if the cr is unable or unwilling to take these precautions you should intervene and make sure that they are implemented

Materials: Black marker labels

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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

The Care recipient (cr) has trouble remembering if he she took his her medication

Try: Place rubber bands around the bottle or container equal to the number of dosages required each day for the medication remove one band each time the medication is taken replace the bands at the end of each day to begin the system again

Materials: Rubber bands

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

Information: n/a

References: A adapted from guides for safety in the home by visionaware org

Keywords: n/a

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

caregiver (cg) family member is disappointed when Care recipient (cr) doesn’t recognize them as their child

Try: Develop a photo memory identification card to use when communicating with the cr try to discover what moment and what age the cr remembers the child to be and use a photo of that age also add a recent photo put both of these photos on a single page with the descriptions under them reading my son daughter name at age 5 and the other description reading my son daughter name now and show them to the cr when he or she doesn’t seem to recognize the cr family member the two images side by side will usually trigger the cr’s memory once the cr makes the connection share some memories as a conversation starter

Materials: Photo of cg family member as a child photo of cg family member as an adult tape paper and pen

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Medical Physical, So-So Verbal Comm, Somewhat Aware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted in part from article unlocking the silent prison

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) doesn’t know where the bed is or how to use the sheets and blankets to cover up

Try: Use sharply contrasting colored top and bottom sheets always use the same combination of colors for the top and bottom sheets so the cr won’t get confused explain the different colored sheets to the cr to help him or her recognize that the cr is suppose to slip between the sheets for sleep try to stick to bright solid colors don’t use sheets with patterns because they may confuse or agitate the cr

Materials: Bright solid colored sheets one color for fitted sheet different color for top sheet

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) grabs at clothing when caregiver (cg) tries to get them ready for bed and makes dressing and undressing difficult

Try: # play some soothing music and try to get the cr to sing along # give the cr something to hold or hang onto while they are being dressed or undressed

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) can start a simple chore but can’t finish it for example if the caregiver (cg) asks the cr to go to his or her room and get dressed the cr gets lost on the way to the room

Try: Only give one direction at a time break down the instructions into several different steps

Materials: n/a

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

The Care recipient (cr) gets frustrated when doing tasks

Try: # tell the cr to take his or her time # remind cr that the best he or she can do is alright # tell cr to ask for help when he or she gets frustrated # tell cr to take a break # take break with cr and play cards go for a walk go shopping etc # reming cr to be patient and consider other people’s feelings # put up posters and signs with helpful reminders of appropriate responses to requests and tasks

Materials: # poster board index cards # pen pencils

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

The Care recipient (cr) often makes decisions without thinking things through or makes decisions on the spur of the moment without planning the activity in advance

Try: # avoid letting the cr make impulse decisions # avoid letting cr do too many activities or the same activity all day # set time to make shopping list with cr # read mail with the cr # discourage cr when he or she talks about taking risks # discuss with cr the consequences of bad decisions injury or illness # help the cr make decisions about purchases # help the cr respond correctly to others # help the cr keep recommended appointments # help the cr budget his or her money # point out health or safety risks as they come up # help the cr understand the importance of taking his or her medications

Materials: # note pad or journal # pencil pens

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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