Try: #before you leave for the event remind the cr of where the two of you are going and why #mention the occasion several times as you are traveling to it a gentle reminder such as are you ready for the harpers’ anniversary party can be made or a more direct one such as i’m here to take you to the harpers’ anniversary party do you remember getting the invitation to the party a few weeks ago today is the day we celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary at their daughter’s house #when you arrive remind the cr of the reason for the gathering in a tactful way for example i think this is ted and mary’s fortieth anniversary i know they’ve been looking forward to this party for months #to help the cr stay clear on why a particular gathering is taking place remind him or her by giving cues during the gathering such as i’m glad we could come to jan’s birthday party or are you enjoying spending easter at your daughter’s house

Materials: Verbal reminders and cues patience

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, 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: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #a cr’s hospitalization may put him or her at greater risk of confusion if it’s possible see that many or some daily routines are kept up regular visits from the caregiver may be anchoring in addition if the cr usually plays a game in the early evening or has another little ritual try to continue these activities while the cr is hospitalized #bring some of the cr’s music fragrance or room decor to the hospital if possible #visits from the caregiver during mealtimes may bring up some sense of familiarity for the cr it is also less likely there will be interruptions for medical care so the visits may be less stressful for the caregiver and the cr #if a care-giving spouse or adult child needs a break while the cr is hospitalized a close friend to both of them familiar with their usual routines would be a good visitor instead #crs with dementia or confusion may be in particular need of people to speak in their interests and protect their rights as patients if the primary caregiver cannot visit the hospital to make sure the cr’s needs are being properly addressed he or she should look for a back-up resource person a reliable friend or relative a senior care manager a hospice worker an ombudsman serving seniors or a senior service center social worker who might help the caregiver organize questions and care from outside the hospital

Materials: A few items from cr cr’s home caregiver or regular visitor person to speak for cr cr’s needs and rights if necessary

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #if the cr lives alone and will continue to do so for some time disconnect the stove and oven and flip off the circuit to the outlet that powers them provide meals that can be reheated in the microwave using one or two basic steps if necessary write the steps down on sticky notes on the meal’s container #if the cr lives alone and cannot safely use the microwave because of limited mobility check with your area’s senior service centers to find out about programs that deliver hot meals some services may be private and others may be available at discounted rates for seniors who meet low income standards #if the cr lives with others flip the circuits that power the stove and oven off to prevent the cr from cooking or causing an accidental fire when unsupervised the caregiver can flip the circuits on to cook a few main dishes at a time or leave the circuit on while he or she is with the cr however the caregiver should flip the circuit off before going to bed particularly if the cr tends to get up at night

Materials: Access to circuit box microwave microwavable meals hot lunch delivery program for seniors

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #string the key on a lanyard a sporty strap that hangs around the neck and normally holds a whistle lanyards are sold in sporting goods stores encourage the cr to wear the most frequently used keys house and car for example if putting them down leads to losing them #install a bright hook in a visible location and encourage the cr to use it to hang keys on when they are not in use consult with the cr to determine where the key hook will be most useful in the kitchen near the front door beside the exit to the garage etc #if the cr finds it difficult to get into the routine of putting keys on the hook and therefore keeps losing them consider visiting an electronics store to buy a keychain with a locator these vary in price depending on the technology involved some use a remote control and others just require a user’s whistle or shout to activate the keychain responds with a beep and or lights #be very careful about keeping extra keys outside the home but consider keeping a duplicate house key on hand either in the house in a designated spot or with a trusted friend return the duplicate to its spot when the original key is located

Materials: Brightly-colored lanyard key ring bright hook keychain with locator technology

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Immobile, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #stick to a regular routine for important daily activities protect those activities from interruption by encouraging the cr to let friends and family members know what hours he or she would prefer not to get calls and visits for example during hours set aside for exercising personal care or paying bills #help the cr to focus on one activity at a time limit environmental distractions by turning down anything making distracting lights noises or pictures when the cr is on the phone or having face-to-face conversations #help the cr to focus on the content of a conversation by waiting for the cr to finish a thought before you begin speaking although speaking at once and over each other is common when people are intimate it can pose difficulties for crs with hearing or organizational problems this can be especially problematic in groups so you may want to encourage people to be mindful of speaking one at a time #avoid dining in crowded settings socializing where there is loud background noise or holding important conversations with television playing in the background such as in a hospital waiting room or patient room if you can’t switch off the tv ask that the conversation be held in a quieter place #when important

Materials: Quiet space and time small notebook and pen written-down information wall calendar

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: Medical financial etc is being given by a professional to the cr ask for written copies of the information such as appointment cards test results summaries of agreements with landlords attorneys etc #keep a notebook and pen handy you or the cr might take notes as needed of phone numbers dates to remember things to follow up on etc keeping the notes in one small notebook will reduce the chance that they will be lost write a check mark next to each note as it is addressed #note all appointments as soon as they are made on a wall calendar consult the calendar first thing in the morning and last thing in the afternoon information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #tape a card or print of a favorite picture to the cr cr’s bedroom door #remind the cr to look for the door with the favorite picture on it when the cr asks for help locating the bedroom give the cr a few minutes to look before stepping in to assist

Materials: Reproduction of favorite picture

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Independence, Maximum Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #set up the binder as an

Materials: 3-ringer binder with subject dividers 3-hole punch hole-punched supply pouch paper pens sticky notes and highlighter marker calendar

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: Manager and daily planner by creating sections for the subjects such as these calendar contacts exercise plan medicine-taking record journal pages and resources ##put the calendar section in the front so the day day’s appointments are easily visible write appointments on the calendar as soon as they are made also note write related tasks on the appropriate days and put a line through them as they are done consult the calendar first thing in the morning and then as often as needed throughout the day ##in the contacts section keep a list of important and frequently-called people their addresses phone numbers emails or fax numbers ##keep diagrams of exercises and outlines of special diet plans in their own sections for easy viewing while working out or preparing meals ##in the medicine section keep an outline of the daily medicine schedule and enough paper to keep an ongoing log of the day and time medications are taken make a note each time medication is taken right when it is taken ##hole-punch brochures catalogs or useful flyers to be kept in a resource section this keeps important clutter down and information in a central location #put lined paper or a hole-punched spiral journal in the binder to make notes throughout the day of thoughts things to do and contacts with various people to follow up on that may otherwise be forgotten #keep pens sticky notes highlighters and other useful supplies in a hole-punched pouch in the the binder #keep the binder with you but if you are taking it out of the house use a black marker to mark out any information that could be used for identity theft or fraud such as your social security number a case number or prescription number that may appear on various documents however do write your name and telephone number on the inside of the book so someone can return it to you in the unfortunate event you misplace it information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #encourage the cr to keep a daily log and to immediately note the time of important activities as they are done these activities will promote the cr cr’s ability to manage the memory loss #writing down the time and name of medications as they are taken will create a record the cr or caregiver can check anytime #taking notes on phone calls appointments made and important tasks and ideas may help the cr recall the daily activities that take place between visits from the caregiver the notes may also serve as a tool for the cr to use to keep the caregiver alert to

Materials: Spiral-bound notebook and pen watch

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, So-So S T Memory

Information: They both need #use one notebook for keeping the daily log and notes this will keep all the information in one place and keep the cr from having to look for notes taken on scraps of paper the backs of envelopes or loose sheets of paper that have gotten mixed in with other papers information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #buy a cell phone for the cr and pre-program the most-often called numbers into the phone #make a space on the white paper for each speed-dial entry leaving enough room to write the number to press the person or service it reaches and the actual number being dialed leave enough space right next to the number to press for a photo of the person or a symbol of the service it reaches for example use pictures of ambulance firetruck and pizza to indicate health emergency fire and pizza delivery #after the speed-dial entry number write the word ‘send ‘ to remind the cr to push that button to make the call go through #a sample line on the white page might look like this #1 push ‘send ‘ photo of daughter full name of daughter complete telephone number of daughter #in addition to being a useful tool for the cr the sheet will be helpful in the event the phone needs to be reprogrammed

Materials: Cell phone with speed-dial feature photos or images matching frequently-called numbers white paper access to laminator

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Hearing, Good Hearing, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #a treasure walk is exercise coupled with an activity that encourages memories of the walk find a quiet comfortable place for walking a park with flat pathways or inside a shopping mall avoid busy hours in the mall many are quiet weekday afternoons between two and four #walk as long as you and the cr are comfortable and interested as you walk take pictures of what catches the cr’s attention or what you both enjoy #use the paper bag to gather mementos as you walk leaves postcards flyers etc #use the notepad and pen to write down or draw pictures of things you see or do along the walk #when you return home sit down with the cr and review the walk you can look at the pictures stored in the camera or you can print some of them out and put them on the bulletin board #put the three shoeboxes on the table near the cr and empty out the paper bag filled with mementos of the walk ask the cr to sort the items in various ways by type color size etc and encourage the cr to talk about the items as they are sorted #later the boxes can be emptied or you can keep the items for a week or so and empty the shoeboxes when they are full #keep the activity fun and uncomplicated

Materials: Suitable safe area to walk outside or in an indoor space digital camera pen and pad of paper paper bag table and 2 chairs 3 shoeboxes markers bulletin board caregiver walking companion

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Personal, Social, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Maximum Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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