Try: #sometimes the cr will simply forget how to start the process of an activity however the cr may be able to manage the task if you first show him or her how to start if you act as if you are brushing your teeth shaving or combing your hair the cr may be able to copy your actions and complete the chore #you may also want to try putting your hand over the cr’s hand to help the cr start the action

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

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

Try: Try this cg could be giving too many instructions at once and this is confusing for cr give instructions one step at a time – for example if cg needs cr to go to the kitchen to eat first say let’s walk to the kitchen then once there let’s pull out the chair at the table for you to sit down and then there’s your plate on the red placemat if cg needs cr to get dressed first say let’s open the closet and then let’s put on the blue blouse and finally let’s finish with the black shoes

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

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

Try: It may help to have a figure of authority to speak on your behalf with the Care recipient (cr) ; a physician or a friend have a mechanic disable the vehicle so it can’t be driven hide the keys sometimes even after the cr stops driving it may give them comfort to still have the car around or it may disturb them to see the car in the driveway or garage – fine out which works and implement it

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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

Try: It is common for cr with memory and perception conditions to become afraid of the dark a dark hallway may look tunnel-like and threatening keep a light on in the hallway and replace dim lighting with brighter energy-efficient bulbs that burn coolly this may make it easier for the cr to move safely and freely around his or her home

Materials: Bright energy-efficient cool light bulbs

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

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

Try: #remain calm and do not show your personal hurt at not being remembered #reassure the cr that you know about the memory loss and accept it without judgment #use simple answers with cr and avoid long explanations #prompt or cue the cr without embarrassing him or her for example say this is peter your grandson instead of don’t you remember peter #the cr may find it helpful to carry a small photo album with clearly labeled photos of commonly seen people in his or her life the album can be looked at periodically to refresh memory between visits or referred to quietly during gatherings

Materials: Small photo album and photos if useful

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory

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

Try: The cr with poor short term memory may not think of him or herself as old it is possible the cr is seeing a reflection in a window or mirror and not recognizing it as him or herself try closing curtains turning up lights to reduce reflections on glass or covering mirrors to reduce the cr cr’s fear

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Somewhat Aware, So-So S T Memory

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

Try: #decorate the boxes with wallpaper fabric or contact paper if you want to skip this step buy an already-decorated box with a lid at a craft store #place small mementos in the box that may remind the cr of people and places related to home life and family for example photos cards handkerchief scented with cg’s cologne or perfume travel-sized versions of the cr’s favorite games a favorite book etc don’t include jewelry or anything irreplaceable consider making copies of favorite photos for the box particularly if the favorite photos are irreplaceable copies of photos can be made in the camera section of many drug stores and large general merchandise stores #put the box where the cr can reach it in his or her room at the rehabilitation unit or hospital when you or others visit invite the cr to open the box and tell you about the items inside it if the cr is confused gently remind him or her about who is in the pictures ask what the cr thinks is happening in the pictures invite the cr to play a game with you the familiarity of the game or the pictures may help the cr access memories

Materials: Cardboard box that can be easily held in cr’s hands wallpaper fabric or contact paper to cover the box glue buttons paint brushes etc to decorate the box photos of cr cg friends and family members small games favorite book cards from friends and family members

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory

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

Try: #buy supplies at an office supply store if you can’t find a clock that you think will suit the cr cr’s needs look at clocks sold through independent living product catalogs which may be available at medical supply stores many care centers or online #hang the dry erase board in a spot that the cr can see easily and often for example on the wall opposite from his or her place at the table where most meals are eaten #clearly print the following

Materials: Large dry erase board dry erase markers dry erase eraser large calendar large digital clock that displays am and pm as well as the time

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Independence, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: On the dry erase board ##the cr’s full name and address for example my name is joe smith and i live at 123 main street st louis missouri 12345 ##the cr’s current telephone number ##the day of the week ##today’s date is_____ be sure to write the month day and year ##the current season of the year and any significant holidays which are approaching #place a calendar near the dry erase board for additional reference #place the clock near the dry erase board to help reorient the cr to time #every morning update the information that changes #as soon as the cr is seated to eat in the morning discuss the information written on the dry erase board to reorient the cr to the new day when the cr seems confused about the date or the time you can prompt him or her to look at the board and the clock #disorientation from time date and season may cause anxiety for the cr if a caregiver reacts with anger and impatience to the cr cr’s confusion anxiety may increase at some stages of confusion the cr may be less aware of disorientation noting the holidays that are approaching may be important at that stage in helping to keep the cr generally aware of the season information

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

Try: #remove the gas line to the stove and cap it #remove all knobs from the stove #place the new countertop on top of the stove cover all the burners #remove any other appliances that pose a possible safety hazard such as a toaster oven #remove any pots pans and dishes that are not microwavable #place the microwave on top of the new countertop #the oven will serve as a convenient storage for all of the microwavable dishes and utensils #tape a microwavable cookware label on the oven door #instruct the cr on how to operate the microwave #place a sign on the microwave door with times for commonly cooked items for example ##cup of water for tea – 1 minute ##baked potato – -8 minutes #place a use hot pads when handling cooked food sign on the microwave to remind the cr about safety #you should assist the cr in using the microwave several times until the skill is mastered

Materials: Microwave oven microwavable plates with covers bowls and utensils countertop the size of the stovetop pen and paper tape hot pad

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, So-So L T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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

Try: #buy two or three matching baskets to hold the cr’s small belongings put one basket in each of two or three places where the cr spends a lot of time the kitchen family room or bedroom for example these are places where the cr is likely to handle keys put on or put off glasses take a wallet in or out of a pocket use a tv remote etc #once the cr gets in the habit of keeping things in and returning them to the baskets it will be easier to keep track of the little personal items #the notepads may be useful in many ways they can help the cr or his or her caregiver as they make reminder notes create shopping lists or take phone messages

Materials: Two or three small baskets two or three writing tables and pens

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual

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